
From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat
By Idaho Wheat Commission

From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho WheatJan 05, 2022

World and U.S. Wheat Supply and Demand
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.

Geopolitics and Global Economics of Wheat
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.

Falling Numbers
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.

Effective Weed Management Practices
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.

Environmentally Sustainable Waterways
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.

Idaho Grain Inspection Services
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.

Gain Control Over Grain Markets
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.

From the Field: Healthy Soil, Healthy Crop, Healthy Harvest
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.

From the Field: To the Hill
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.

From the Field: Is Milling Just a Grind or is it Science?
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.

Let's Talk About Idaho Wheat Around the World
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.

From the Field: To Market
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.

From the Field: Maybe It's Not the Gluten --Wheat Digestibility
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.

From the Field: Improving Nitrogen Management in Dryland Wheat
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.

From the Field: Wheat Nutrition and the Gut Microbiome
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.

From the Field: Why the variety you choose to plant matters in end-use, production, and the markets
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.

From the Field: Grain Storage Safety
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.

Trade Teams: Who are they, where are they from, and why do we care?
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.

From the Field: The Role of Wheat Markets in Global Food Aid Programs
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.

From the Field: Idaho's Water with Paul Arrington
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 the Field: Glyphosate Alternatives for Pre-Plant Burndown
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.

Let's Talk About Ukraine
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.

From the Field: Five Things to Know About Succession Planning
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

From the Field: A Healthier Idaho Agriculture
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

From the Field: Navigating Tax Laws in 2022
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.

From the Field: Is Soil Health Just a Buzzword?
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.

What Can NRCS Do for Your Farm?

From the Field: Get rid of grasshoppers in small grains
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.

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

From the Field: Nitrogen Management
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.

From the Field: Understanding the PVPA
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.

From the Field: Not Today, Cheatgrass!
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.

The Basics of Crop Insurance from USDA-RMA
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.

From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat -- Buckwheat, Glyphosate, and Rye? Oh, My!
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.

It's Action Season for Wheat Marketing
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.

How to control China lettuce
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.