From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat

The United States leads the world in international food aid, providing more assistance to those in need than any other country. U.S. wheat plays a vital role in these efforts, serving as a cornerstone of programs like Food for Peace and other USAID initiatives that combat global hunger and support development. Join us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat as we sit down with Peter Laudeman, Director of Trade Policy for U.S. Wheat Associates, to discuss the future of these programs and their impact on both U.S. farmers and global food security.

The USDA ARS Western Wheat Quality Lab (WWQL) in Pullman, Washington is essential for Idaho wheat farmers, ensuring their wheat meets top milling and baking standards. Through collaboration with breeders, geneticists, and pathologists, the lab evaluates new wheat varieties to align with market demands and boost profitability. Join us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat as we sit down with Sean Finnie, Director of the USDA-ARS Western Wheat Quality Lab. Gain valuable insights into wheat research that drives higher yields, greater resilience, and superior quality

Water efficiency is more important than ever as Idaho agriculture grapples with challenges like population growth, urbanization, and climate change. Join us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat as we sit down with Jared Gibbons, a University of Idaho Extension educator, to discuss his innovative use of near-infrared cameras mounted on drones. These cutting-edge tools help identify subtle differences in water use among cereal varieties, including wheat. Discover how identifying water-efficient wheat varieties can empower farmers to grow crops that thrive with less water, promoting sustainable agriculture across Idaho's diverse landscapes.

Arthur Companies has established a strong presence in Idaho, specializing in crop merchandising, grain handling, and agricultural inputs. Collaborating closely with local wheat producers, they focus on enhancing productivity and expanding competitive market access for wheat and other grains. Join us for our upcoming From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, where Ken Morgan, Merchandiser for Arthur Companies, will discuss advancing Idaho’s wheat industry and supporting farmers in building profitable, resilient operations

South and Southeast Asia are home to some of the largest importers of U.S. wheat, with a strong demand for soft white wheat from Idaho. Shifting dietary trends, evolving market needs, growing populations, and socioeconomic changes are influencing how the region utilizes U.S. wheat. Find out how during our From the Field featuring Joe Sowers, Regional Vice President of U.S. Wheat South and Southeast Asia.

For more than a decade, the University of Idaho's Soft White Winter Wheat (SWWW) breeding program has flourished through a successful collaboration with Limagrain Cereal Seeds (LCS). This partnership has resulted in the widespread adoption of various SWWW varieties across the Pacific Northwest. Join us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, as we sit down with LCS wheat breeder Dylan Larkin to discuss his role in producing high-quality SWWW for Idaho's wheat farmers.

With about half of Idaho’s wheat grown under irrigation, water is critical to maintaining the volume and quality of Idaho wheat. Idaho’s water issues came to a head this spring when the Idaho Department of Water Resources issued a curtailment that pitted groundwater users and surface water users against each other. We’re diving in to the long history of water policy, misunderstandings, and misinformation swirling across the state with Paul Arrington, Executive Director of the Idaho Water Users Association, who will share the straight facts of Idaho’s water challenges, the current state of water availability, and how we move forward.

Blake Matthews, an innovative row crop and small grains farmer, has been collaborating with Agronomist Jared Cook for the last 14 years. Recently they have been working on research funded by an Innovative Agriculture and Market Program (IAMP) grant. Their work focuses on the practical applications of advanced agricultural techniques in farming. Join us for our next From the Field: Farm Chat with Idaho Wheat, where we will discuss with Blake and Jared how these advanced techniques can be adapted by Idaho wheat farmers to enhance productivity and sustainability on their farms.