From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat

Did you know the Western Wheat Quality Lab of the USDA-Agricultural Research Service conducts investigations with breeders, geneticists, and pathologists in Idaho to evaluate the milling and baking quality characteristics of wheat? Join us for our next From the Field, Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, as we chat with Dr. Alecia Kiszonas, a USDA-ARS Biologist, to see how your grower dollars are being used to evaluate variety samples for quality attributes for our export customers.

Join us for our upcoming From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, where we'll discuss the pressing issue of rapidly evolving herbicide-resistant weed populations that pose a threat to crop production sustainability in Idaho. Our guest, Albert Adjesiwor, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Idaho, will talk about the importance of implementing crop rotations that incorporate competitive crops such as wheat and alfalfa. Learn how these strategies can effectively enhance weed seedbank control and optimize crop production.

The McGregor Company supports growers across the Pacific Northwest, providing essential resources such as seed, crop inputs, equipment, research, and advice needed to raise healthy, sustainable crops. Join us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat as we engage in a discussion with Cat Salois, Director of Research and Technology, and Richard Fillmore, Account Manager at McGregor, about crop production research and rate application technologies designed to increase yields for wheat farmers in Idaho.

Weeds pose a significant threat to wheat production, especially those resistant to herbicides. Multiple herbicide-resistant Italian ryegrass strains have been identified as a particular concern in Idaho. Take a seat at the table with us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, Wednesday, February 28, 2024, as we talk with Joan Campbell, Principal Researcher with the University of Idaho. Joan will discuss the potential effectiveness of using seed safeners to combat herbicide-resistant Italian ryegrass in wheat fields throughout Idaho, and their ability to enhance yields for growers.

Did you know the Port of Lewiston operates as a pivotal intermodal transportation hub for international trade? With a commitment to advancing trade, the Port of Lewiston boasts the most extensive crane and warehouse facility within the inland river system. Join us for From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat; as we have a conversation with Scott Corbitt, General Manager of the Port of Lewiston, Thursday, February 15, 2024, 1pm MT about how this infrastructure contributes significantly to the region's economic landscape, with an emphasis on supporting the Idaho wheat industry. To learn more about the importance of the Port of Lewiston and the export process utilizing the snake river please check out the following links! Idaho Grain Producers Association www.idahograin.org Pacific Northwest Waterways Association www.pnwa.net Northwest River Partners www.nwriverpartners.org National Association of Wheat Growers www.wheatworld.org U.S. Wheat Associates www.uswheat.org

Idaho Wheat Commission (IWC) has licensed UI Cookie, a soft white spring wheat developed by researchers with the University of Idaho, in an effort to increase the return on investment of wheat grower dollars. U of I wheat breeders have also developed a hard white spring wheat, UI Gold. Join us for From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat as we talk with Dr. Jianli Chen, Professor of Plant Sciences with the University of Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences about the development of these wheat varieties, their value to Idaho wheat growers, and options for seeding.

Did you know wheat and flour specifications often require specialized testing to determine how the flour will perform during processing and baking? Moisture, ash, and protein content, as well as falling number, are also determined with this testing. Join us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, as we chat with Sarah Windes, University of Idaho Wheat Quality Lab Supervisor about her collaboration with Idaho wheat growers, breeders, and researchers to provide end-use quality analysis of Idaho wheat.

A major goal of PNW wheat breeders is to produce varieties with resistance to the large number of diseases that affect wheat in the region. What wheat diseases in the PNW can be reduced through microbiome genetic resistance? What is the most effective way to evaluate effects of wheat on microbiome populations that suppress disease? Join us for From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, as we sit down with Chris Mundt, Cereal Pathologist and Professor at Oregon State University, to answer these questions and talk about valuable insights to disease resistance crops in the Pacific Northwest.

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry. How does the Idaho Wheat Commission leverage grower dollars to promote the reliability and value of all wheat classes to wheat buyers, millers, and bakers? What are the long-term trends within the wheat industry and how are international markets maintained to enhance profitability for wheat growers? Vince Petersen, President of U.S. Wheat Associates will answer these questions and more during our From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, Tuesday, October 24, 2023, 1:00pm MT.

Did you know about half of the wheat grown in the United States is exported to customers overseas? What does that mean for global supply and demand with the recent decline of U.S. wheat production due to drought and market volatility? Join us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat as we sit down with Mike Spier, Vice President of Overseas Operations for U.S. Wheat Associates, to talk about the current world and U.S. wheat supply and demand situation, and how U.S. wheat contributes to global wheat supply.

Three of the top five importing countries of U.S. wheat are in the Pacific Rim, so let's talk about those markets today, and those market outlooks for the future. How do we secure those markets to keep wheat flowing to Asia? Join us for From the Field as we chat with Candace Roper, Chief Representative of CoBank, Singapore, to talk about trade finance relationships in Asia.

Late harvest rains made for low falling number results throughout Idaho this year. What does that mean, how is it measured, and what research is being done to address high alpha amylase in the future? We will answer all these questions and more during our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat as we chat with Juliet Marshall, Department Head and Professor - Plant Pathologist at the University of Idaho.

Herbicide-resistant weed populations are evolving rapidly and threatening the sustainability of crop production in the Pacific Northwest. Join us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat as we talk about weed management practices with Albert Adjesiwor, Weed Scientist at the University of Idaho. Learn about recommended crop rotations that include competitive crops like wheat and alfalfa to manage the threat of herbicide-resistant weeds.

The Pacific Northwest Waterways Association (PNWA) is a non-partisan trade association and advocates for federal policies in support of economic development. Join us for From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat as we sit down with Heather Stebbings, Executive Director of PNWA to talk about her work with Congress, federal agencies and other decision-makers on transportation, trade, energy, and environmental policies that affect the export process and what PNWA is doing to preserve the dams on the Snake River.

Take seat at the table with us as we sit down with Dustin and Jennifer Young from Idaho Grain Inspection Service (IGIS). IGIS works closely with Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) to facilitate the marketing of U.S. grain and related products by establishing standards for quality assessments, regulating handling practices, and provides impartial official inspection and weighing services for Idaho grain products.

The complexity of grain markets can feel overwhelming and hard to grasp, but it doesn't have to be. Watch our conversation with Dr. Xiaoli Etienne, University of Idaho Endowed Chair of Grain Marketing and Risk Management as she shares her knowledge and expertise about futures markets, futures hedging, and cost of carry and basis.

Nutrient stratification commonly refers to a distribution of nutrients that are non-uniform with soil depth, and especially to situations with higher concentrations of nutrients (such as phosphorus or potassium) near the soil surface. Learn more about this and other tips and tricks by joining us for From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat. We will break it all down with Jared Cook from Rocky Mountain Agronomics and find out how he assists farmers in helping them maximize crop yields by analyzing soil nutrient antagonisms, biological functions, and environmental stresses to produce a healthy crop.

Take a seat at the table as we sit down with National Association of Wheat Growers’ Mariah Wollweber, Director of Communications and Partnerships, and Jake Westlin, Vice President of Policy and Communications, for a chat about how IWC leverages your assessment dollars to expand political reach. We will be digging into the Farm Bill, the wheat lifecycle assessment study, trade, and the policies and efforts in D.C. that affect your bottom line.

The amount of technical skill to crush wheat kernels into useable flour is often surprising. Join us for as we chat with Shawn Thiele from the International Grains Program (IGP) at Kansas State University who will broaden our understanding of the grind of milling.

We sit down with Idaho Wheat Commissioner Bill Flory, who joins us from Seoul, South Korea, to talk about market development strategies and opportunities for U.S. wheat in the Pacific Rim.

About half of Idaho's wheat and the wheat grown in the United States is exported.  How are our trade relationships with countries around the world and what do you need to know on your farm to make sure the wheat gets to the buyer, miller, and the baker?  We sat down with Dalton Henry and Peter Laudeman, U.S. Wheat Trade Policy experts, for a Q & A about getting wheat from Idaho's fields to family dinner tables around the world.

Wheat digestibility issues may not be solely related to gluten sensitivity.  FODMAPs are fermentable sugars, such as oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, which are short-chain carbohydrates.  ATIs are proteins called amylase-trypsin inhibitors.  These ‘anti-nutrients’, tolerated by most people, are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and have been identified as triggers of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).    Dr. George Annor, Dr. Jim Anderson, and others at the University of Minnesota have been investigating FODMAP and ATI concentrations related to bread processing techniques and wheat varieties.  Although concentrations are small, Anderson has found variations in FODMAP and ATI levels among wheat varieties.  Under complex genetic control, it may be possible to reduce concentrations through screening and selection.  Annor has found long fermentation periods (12 hours) can dramatically reduce FODMAP’s and ATIs in sourdough breads.  Increasing fermentation time may be key to making more wheat products available to people that have experienced digestibility issues in the past. Research to reduce anti-nutritional components of wheat is essential to increase demand and consumption of wheat products.

Nitrogen management in semi-arid dryland winter wheat production systems in Southeast Idaho is particularly complicated due to year-to-year variability in precipitation. High precipitation in the spring and preceding fall increase wheat production but insufficient nitrogen, coupled with partial loss of nitrogen from abundant precipitation, can cause low protein levels in wheat, resulting in considerable loss in value at market. In low precipitation years, excess nitrogen fertilization represents an unnecessary expense in a year when yields are down. Join us to talk with the team of USU researchers whose work on this topic is funded by Idaho wheat grower dollars.

Curious about wheat's role in gut health?  Not sure how to distinguish between science and "science" when it comes to wheat foods?  Listen in on this recording when we talked with Dr. Corrie Whisner, a nutrition scientist at Arizona State University, about the myths and facts of wheat nutrition and the effects of wheat foods on the gut.

There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a variety to plant each fall and spring. Do you consider end-use and end-use quality when you make your planting decisions? Listen in as we talk to Mike Moran, Executive Director of the Wheat Marketing Center, and Dr. Jayne Bock, Technical Director of the Wheat Marketing Center, about why the variety you plant matters when it comes to production and use.

As harvest gets into full swing, we want to share some important information with you about grain storage safety.  Grain bin accidents are a leading cause of death and injury in the agricultural community each year.  We want to keep Idaho farmers, their families, and employees safe.  Please take a few minutes to listen to Carol Jones chat about grain bin safety on this month's episode of From the Field.

Hosting trade teams from around the world is an integral part of what the Idaho Wheat Commission does to bolster market demand.  Britany and Casey sat down to talk about their experiences with trade teams and why trade teams matter to Idaho wheat farmers.

Do you know how much wheat is distributed through the USDA and USAID food aid programs?  How the wheat is sourced?  How food aid donations impact wheat markets?  We sat down with U.S. Wheat Associates Director of Trade Policy, Shelbi Knisley, to answer common questions and chat about food aid programs.

We sat down with Paul Arrington, Executive Director of the Idaho Water Users Association, to talk about drought, curtailments, reservoir levels, and all things Idaho water during this farm chat with Idaho Wheat episode.

From price increases up to 300% to cancer claims and lawsuits, using glyphosate is being met with increasing challenges.  Dr. Albert Adjesiwor, University of Idaho extension weed scientist gives some viable alternatives for pre-plant burndown and weed control in wheat during this episode of From the Field.

Britany and Casey break down the war in Ukraine and what it means for Idaho wheat farmers, from supply to input costs to market prices and everything in between.

97% of Idaho's farms are family owned and operated. Do you have a plan to keep your operation in the family for generations to come? We chatted with Peter Christofferson, an Idaho attorney whose expertise in estate planning and real estate law, about what Idaho farmers need to know* to get a succession plan in place.  

*Neither the Idaho Wheat Commission nor any of its affiliates or partners offer legal advice.  Legal questions are detail-specific and should be discussed with your attorney before decisions are made.  We also recommend consulting with your local Farm Service Agency office before making any significant changes to your operation.  

Mr. Christofferson can be reached at 208.523.0620

The people behind Idaho agriculture have a lot to be proud of, but they also face a lot of challenges. This episode of From the Field features Lesley Kelly, farmer and mental health advocate, for a chat across industries about how keeping Idaho's farmers and ranchers healthy keeps Idaho agriculture going strong. For local resources visit: http://agri.idaho.gov/farmcenter/stress-management-resources/ or http//:domore.ag

We were joined by Jerry Brown and Tony Brown, CPAs and wheat farmers in Soda Springs, Idaho, to talk about the tax regulations that hit the farm the most.  While neither the Browns nor the Idaho Wheat Commission are giving tax advice, this episode is full of valuable and pertinent information that will impact the bottom line of your operation.

We chatted with Shawn Nield, State Soil Scientist with USDA-NRCS and Marlon Winger, Regional Soil Scientist, NRCS about soil health, how that term is defined, how to improve the health of your soil, and how to work with what you've got.

Dry, hot summers create the perfect environment for grasshopper infestations, and that’s no fairytale. Join us for the conversation with Dr. Arash Rashed, University of Idaho entomologist, while we chat about the moral of Aesop’s famous tale — plan for tomorrow today — and reduce grasshoppers in your wheat fields next summer.

Catch up on our chat with Dr. Howard Neibling, Water Management Engineer and Extension Specialist at UI about final irrigation in small grains.

Nitrogen Management: Improving Efficiency in the Field
Nitrogen management and precision application is critical in wheat production. We chatted with Jared Spackman, University of Idaho extension agronomist, about how to dial in the nitrogen levels in the field.

There are always a lot of questions about the Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA).  Jeremy Tamsen, Director of the Office of Technology Transfer at University of Idaho, answers your questions about the PVPA and breaks down the buy, sell, and trade details of plant seed procurement.

In this From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, we talk with Dr. Albert Adjesiwor, Weed Management Specialist at University of Idaho Extension Center in Kimberly, about how to reduce or rid cheatgrass in your wheat.  This topic was one of our most requested topics for Farm Chat, and with popular hashtags like #CheatgrassIsTheDevil and #CheatgrassSucks, it's no surprise why.

Ben Thiel, U.S. Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, breaks down the basics of crop insurance for the University of Idaho Ag Talk Tuesday.

How do common agricultural practices on your farm affect wheat getting to global markets?  We talk with Dalton Henry, Vice President of Policy at U.S. Wheat Associates, about this topic and find out that tariffs are only a small part of trade policy.

We know marketing is a headache and it seems like the price goes up the day after you sell.  Join us for a conversation with Scott Hansen, Grain Merchandising Specialist with White Commercial Corp., and get some tips on how to navigate markets, make a plan, and sell for profitability.

Join as we visit with Dr. Albert Adjesiwor, Extension Weed Management Specialist with the University of Idaho Research and Extension Center in Kimberly about what you can do to control the invasion of China lettuce in your fields.