Longstanding partnerships between Idaho’s wheat industry and customers throughout Asia were reaffirmed at U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) 2025 North Asia and South and Southeast Asia Marketing Conferences held last month in Da Nang, Vietnam. Fittingly themed “Legacy of Success,” the conferences brought together more than 300 millers, wheat buyers, U.S. wheat farmers, state wheat commission leaders, exporters, and experts in milling, wheat-based foods, and transportation.

Through the support from grower dollars, the Idaho Wheat Commission and the Idaho Grain Producers Association hosted members of the Idaho Legislature and wheat industry partners on the Pacific Northwest Legislative Export Tour in Portland. The tour provided lawmakers a comprehensive look at Idaho’s wheat industry—from production and research to key policy issues such as dam preservation and the critical role of waterways in facilitating wheat exports.

As climate shifts and export challenges reshape wheat production, U.S. breeders are adapting their strategies to meet regional needs and farmer priorities. Drs. Marla Barnett and Dylan Larkin of Limagrain Cereal Seeds emphasize how breeding goals differ: Larkin, based in the Pacific Northwest, focuses on drought and cold tolerance while navigating export restrictions—especially regarding gene editing. Barnett, working in the Central Plains, highlights the importance of dual-purpose wheat for profitability, ensuring it still meets baking standards.

Southern Idaho’s water reservoirs are well-stocked heading into the irrigation season, offering a promising outlook despite a dry and warm early spring that has accelerated snowmelt and reduced runoff. Idaho Water Supply Committee officials warned that the state may need to rely more heavily on its reservoir systems this summer. Reservoirs across the state are in strong shape: the Owyhee River system is full, and reservoirs along the Boise and Payette rivers are expected to reach full capacity. The Upper Snake system is currently 88% full while eastern Idaho’s Henrys Fork, Island Park, Ririe, and American Falls reservoirs are all between 96% and 100% full. North Idaho’s snowpack and runoff are also improved compared to last year’s low levels.

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s report calls for a healthier U.S. food system by reducing ultra-processed foods and chemical exposures, but it has drawn backlash from farm groups who fear it could harm American agriculture. The report identifies poor diet, environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity, and overmedicalization as key contributors to rising childhood chronic disease. While emphasizing whole foods produced by U.S. farmers, it criticizes the corporatization of the food system and regulatory burdens that disproportionately impact small farms. The report urges study of chemical exposures, including pesticides, but warns against abrupt regulatory changes that could disrupt agriculture and food supplies. Farm groups have criticized the report for being unscientific, misleading, and potentially damaging to farmer livelihoods and consumer trust.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright expressed strong support for keeping the lower Snake River dams in place during a Appropriations Committee hearing. Calling the dams tremendous assets, Wright emphasized their importance in providing reliable, high-value electricity, especially amid growing energy demand from manufacturing. Wright affirmed his commitment to preserving the hydroelectric system while supporting salmon recovery. He argued that dams and environmental stewardship are not mutually exclusive and pledged to visit the region and tour the dams during a future trip.