Rediscover Wheat - September 2016

Page 1

TM

The official publication of the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers

SEPTEMBER 2016

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Wheat Olympics A Test of Endurance Record Yields Win Kansas Wheat Yield Contest Maximize Yields by Controlling Volunteer Wheat

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 1


In This Issue :

TM

Volume 3 • Number 9 www.rediscoverwheat.org The official publication of

3

Wheat Olympics - A test of endurance

4

Record yields win Kansas Wheat Yield Contest

6

Can KanMark improve your yields?

7

Maximize yields by controlling volunteer wheat now

KAWG MEMBERSHIP

8

Jagger's double decade impact

EDITOR

9

2016 Kansas Wheat Seed Book now available

ASSISTANT EDITOR/DESIGNER

10

Keller receives 2016 Clutter memorial scholarship

CONTRIBUTORS

11

Recipe: Pear-Cinnamon Breakfast Bread

CEO

12

IGP Institute: Stakeholders News Brief

KAWG OFFICERS

14

News from the National Association of Wheat Growers

21

Recipe: Twisted Honey Nut Loaves

22

News from U.S. Wheat Associates

31

Maltby Market Analysis

36

Upcoming Events

1990 Kimball Avenue Manhattan, Kansas 66502 (785) 539-0255 $100 per year

Marsha Boswell • mboswell@kswheat.com

commintern@kswheat.com

Jordan Hildebrand • jhildebrand@kswheat.com Malerie Strahm • commintern@kswheat.com

Justin Gilpin • jgilpin@kswheat.com

PRESIDENT Michael Jordan • Beloit

VICE PRESIDENT Kenneth Wood • Chapman SECRETARY/TREASURER Justin Knopf • Salina IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Gary Millershaski • Lakin

KWC OFFICERS CHAIRMAN Brian Linin • Goodland VICE CHAIRMAN Mike McClellan • Plainville SECRETARY/TREASURER David Radenberg • Claflin IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Jay Armstrong • Muscotah

Rediscover Wheat is published by the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG) and the Kansas Wheat Commission (KWC), 1990 Kimball Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502, twelve times per year. Contents of this publication may not be reprinted without permission.

2

Rediscover WHE AT || SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2016 2016


Wheat Olympics - A test of endurance by Malerie Strahm

With the 2016 summer Olympics wrapping up, it only makes sense for wheat to get in on the action. Who knew wheat could be so competitive? Finding a wheat variety that performs well in terms of both quality and protein becomes a survival-of-the-fittest to see which varieties outlast the others under hot and dry conditions. If wheat is the athlete, then Kansas State University associate professor in agronomy, Krishna Jagadish is the coach. Jagadish and his team impose heat and drought stress on post-flowering plants to determine which ones will cave under pressure and which ones will overcome the odds.

To test these plants, promising heat-tolerant wheats, including seven Kansas varieties, are grown in growth chambers and then exposed to drought and heat. But, growth chambers have some limitations, so field trials are done as well using heat tents that can be moved to different plots in the field.

“We want to be as close to the realistic field conditions as possible,” said Jagadish. “We try to impose heat and drought stress at different stages, particularly during the flowering stage or the post-flowering stage, because that’s when the most of the wheat grown in Kansas is exposed to those conditions.” Heat spells that happen when wheat is flowering, inhibit fertilization producing no seed at all. When a heat spell happens after flowering toward harvesting time, the grain is smaller and the quality is corrupted. Most of the lines being tested in this project already exhibit heat-tolerance but if a better source of tolerance can be found, it can be incorporated into a breeding program. This means that the quality and yield of varieties like Everest can be used longer, rather than breaking down much more quickly. “This is the whole idea; when you like a product there are many things inside that product you could change. If you want the product to last, you might as

well supplement it, and add one thing to keep it around longer,” said Jagadish. “If you already have something nice, and you can find a good donor source, you can keep the quality and yield for longer.” All the seeds collected from the trials are sent to Jeff Wilson, USDA grain quality specialist who analyzes the grain starch quality and protein to see what is happening during drought and heat stress. With results from this year’s trial expected to be in soon, Jagadish and his team are currently starting chamber work to see which of seven Kansas varieties, including Joe and Everest, can handle the heat. “The idea is to try to see where the level of tolerance is with these popular cultivars we are currently growing,” said Jagadish. “Can they really take it or are they that bad? Is one better than the other? And we try to prepare them as much as possible through breeding processes.”

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 3


Record yields win Kansas Wheat Yield Contest by Jordan Hildebrand

Wheat yields have been a heated topic of discussion at coffee shops across Kansas for years. But seven years ago, Kansas Wheat decided to up the ante and see who really had the best yields in the state. The 2016 contest was the most competitive in Kansas Wheat’s history with a record number of entries, as well as 11 entries that broke the 100 bushels an acre ceiling. Kansas Wheat is proud to announce the winners of the 7th Annual Wheat Yield Contest. This year’s top wheat yields belong to Spencer West of LeRoy, Eastern Region winner; Doug Keas of Plainville, Central Region Winner and Alec Horton of Horton Seed Services in Leoti, Western Region Winner. Spencer West is this year’s Eastern Region winner. West’s winning plot was 16.83 acres planted with WB- Redhawk (WestBred) and resulted in a yield of 87.46 bushels per acre. West is a newcomer to the yield contest, but made a splash with the highest eastern region yield for the Kansas Wheat Yield Contest. Doug Keas is this year’s Central Region winner. His plot was 8.25 acres planted with SY Wolf (Syngenta). Keas’ prize-winning

4

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

yield was 109.38 bushels an acre. Keas is no newcomer to the Kansas Wheat Yield Contest, as he was also the Central Region Winner and Quality Initiative Winner in 2014. His hefty 109.38 bushels an acre is now the highest Central Region yield in contest history.

Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat, said, “Hosting the Kansas Wheat Yield Contest is an exciting part of what we do here. We’re proud to recognize farmers across the state for their dedication to good management practices and celebrate their successes.”

Alec Horton is this year’s Western Region winner. He planted his 7.82 acre plot with Joe, a white wheat variety from the Kansas Wheat Alliance. Horton is another newcomer to the Kansas Wheat Yield Contest, but his plot smashed the record books with a yield of 121.48 bushels an acre, a Kansas Wheat Yield Contest record. The previous yield record was achieved last year by Darren Nelson, Hutchinson, who recorded a 108.48 bushels per acre entry.

The 2016 Kansas Wheat Yield Contest is sponsored by WestBred, Kansas Wheat Alliance, Limagrain, Plains Gold, AgriPro, ADM Milling and Kansas Wheat. Winners of the contest receive a $1,000 prize that will be awarded on September 15 by Governor Sam Brownback at the Kansas State Fair. Each winner will also receive a $500 prize, awarded by the company whose variety they planted.

Best management practices are key for winners of the Kansas Wheat Yield Contest. Disease took its toll on the Kansas wheat crop in 2015, so applied fungicide was a recurring theme for the regional winners. West and Keas both used treated certified seed, while Horton used treated foundation seed. For more agronomic information on this year’s winners see the following page.

In addition, the contest also has the optional Quality Initiative. Participants collect a sample of their wheat which will then be graded and analyzed for various quality components. The sample with the highest overall quality, mill and bake scores will receive $250. This winner will be announced by Governor Brownback at the State Fair.


Agronomic Information Eastern Region: Spencer West Date Planted: 10/30/2015 Variety Planted: WB-Redhawk Planting Rate: 180 lbs. per acre Seed Treatment: Warden Soil Fertility Info: • In furrow – 88 pounds per acre 11-52-0; dry • In furrow – 50 pounds per acre 0-0-60 potash; dry • In furrow – 10 pounds per acre zinc sulfate; dry • Topdress – 15 gallons 28% UAN; liquid Herbicide Info: • Topdress – .5 oz. per acre Finesse; pre-emerge Fungicide Info: • Feekes 3 – 6 oz. per acre Twinline • Feekes 10 – 6 oz. per acre Prosaro Insecticide Info: • Feekes 2 – 4 oz. per acre Ravage • Feekes 10.5 – 1.9 oz. acre Province II

Central Region: Doug Keas Date Planted: 10/08/2015 Variety Planted: SY Wolf Planting Rate: 75 pounds per acre Seed Treatment: Warden Soil Fertility Info: • Topdress – 100 pounds per acre 46-0-0 with factor; dry • Planting – 65 pounds per acre Micro Essentials SZ + P-Max; dry • Feekes 10 – 1 quart per acre MAX-IN Copper; air Fungicide Info: • Feekes 10 – 6 ounces per acre Twinline

Western Region: Alec Horton Date Planted: 9/25/2015 Variety Planted: Joe Planting Rate: 375,000 seeds per acre (28 pounds per acre) Seed Treatment: • Vibrance Extreme, SB4400 Soil Fertility Info: • Topdress - 90 pounds per acre; liquid Herbicide Info: • Feekes 3 – 3.5 ounces per acre Rave Fungicide Info: • Feekes 5 – 2 ounces per acre Pridxor • Feekes 10 – 4 ounces per acre Monsoon • Feekes 10 – 6 ounces per acre Azoxy Star Insecticide Info: • Feekes 10 – 3.84 ounces per acre Ravage

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 5


Can KanMark improve your yields?

by Alex Lessard, Kansas Wheat Alliance Communications Intern

The Kansas Wheat Alliance released KanMark, a hard red winter wheat variety, in 2014. Since then, it has positively impacted farmers’ yields in the central and western plains. “This variety was the best wheat I’ve ever grown,” said Kendal Grecian, who farms near Palco, Kansas. KanMark is a very upright wheat, and it often looks thin in the field. It yields better than it looks like it will. “I thought I was going to be disappointed by its performance, but I was shocked,” said Grecian. One of his fields of KanMark averaged 97 bushels per acre this harvest. He also explained that KanMark had the best average yields in comparison to his fields of WB Grainfield, SY Monument and Denali. When this variety was released, it was most desired because of its dependability under moderate drought conditions with the yield averages it produced. Although it’s not the prettiest wheat variety out there, its quality and dependability allow it to top other varieties. Matt Lobmeyer, a farmer from southwest Kansas, planted KanMark about a month later than he had intended, but still had strong yields. KanMark’s straw strength is the trait that impressed Lobmeyer the most. 6

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

A Century of Wheat Research “I planted KanMark on November 9 and was happy with the yields it produced. It was the only variety I cut that wasn’t laying on the ground after getting 8 inches of rain after it was ready to harvest, and still managed to yield 85 bushels per acre,” said Lobmeyer. KanMark is a strong and consistent wheat variety with very good drought tolerance and winter hardiness. It has been known to yield better than it looks, considering it looks thin in the fields. This variety is resistant to stripe and leaf rust, soil borne mosaic virus and moderately resistant to stem rust. “Kansas farmers should consider planting KanMark because it’s a good adaptable variety with great straw strength, so it can go irrigated or dryland and in high management or high production situations, too,” said Lobmeyer. Richard Randall, KWA Board Chairman, is a farmer from west central Kansas. He was also drawn to KanMark because of its impressive yields in test plots over the past few years. His fields planted with KanMark averaged

yields in the mid 80’s and mid 90’s, approximately five or six bushels per acre better than his fields planted with T-158 and Denali. “It’s well designed for western Kansas, and it’s a good wheat to be able to plant and depend on,” said Randall. “KanMark is a versatile variety that you can have any situation and it’ll do good,” said Lobmeyer. Individuals interested in KanMark can contact the Kansas Wheat Alliance or a Certified seed dealer. The Kansas Wheat Alliance is a not-for-profit organization formed by wheat producers, researchers, and seed marketers with the goal of maximizing value for wheat farmers by promoting responsible management of new wheat varieties developed by Kansas State University and other wheatbreeding programs. Royalties are used to support wheat research that enhances the profitability of wheat producers. For more information on KWA, visit www.kswheatalliance.org.


Maximize yields by controlling volunteer wheat now by Jordan Hildebrand

Farmers can’t control environmental factors like weather in order to give their wheat crop a healthy boost, but they can help curb disease by controlling volunteer wheat. So far, the state’s wet summer has enabled volunteer wheat to take root and grow rapidly. While it may sound tempting to graze these leftovers, volunteer wheat can pose a major threat to the next wheat crop due to increased disease infections and pest infestations. “About 60-70% of the management practices a wheat producer takes to maximize yield on their farm occurs before planting, including a soil test to help determine fertility needs, variety selection, determining planting date and rate, etc. Among these practices, controlling volunteer wheat is of utmost importance,” said Romulo Lollato, Wheat and Forages Extension Specialist at Kansas State University. According to the K-State Department of Agronomy, volunteer wheat within a half-mile of a field that will be planted to wheat should be completely dead for at least two weeks prior to wheat planting. Doing so will help control wheat curl mites, Hessian fly and greenbugs this fall. “In the past, farmers have always left volunteer wheat for grazing,” said Jason Ochs, a Hamilton County wheat farmer.

“Years ago they could leave that volunteer wheat and it didn’t hurt anything. But in today’s environment we are just not able to do that anymore.” One of the major risks associated with volunteer wheat is the wheat streak mosaic virus complex. These viruses can cause severe economic damage, and in most cases infection can be traced to a nearby field of volunteer wheat. The diseases are carried from volunteer wheat to newly planted wheat, and can cause stunting and yellow streaking on the leaves of the plant. “Yield reductions may not be 100% in all cases, but very often yield maps show 60-70% yield reduction in areas affected by wheat streak mosaic as compared to the average yield for a wheat field,” said Lollato. “It will not only affect your wheat crop, but your neighbor’s as well. Thus, help protect the Kansas wheat crop: make sure any volunteer wheat in your field is dead at least 2 weeks prior to planting your wheat.” “Help protect the Kansas wheat crop: Make sure any volunteer wheat in your field is dead at least two weeks prior to planting your wheat.” Wheat streak mosaic virus is carried from volunteer to newly planted wheat by the wheat curl mite; tiny, white mites that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. These small, but heavy hitting, insects use the wind to

carry them to new hosts, which can take them as far as a half mile away. Hessian flies are also an issue found lurking in volunteer wheat. These insects survive over the summer on wheat stubble and cause significant damage in the eastern two-thirds of the state. Tillers in planted wheat may be stunted due to the antics of Hessian flies, and may ultimately lodge during harvesting. According to K-State Agronomy, a whole stand may be lost in heavy infestations. Other pests can also reside in volunteer wheat. These pests can include Russian wheat aphids, Banks grass mites and chinch bugs. In addition, volunteer wheat and other weeds use up large amounts of soil moisture. Destroying volunteer after the new wheat emerges is too late, according to K-State Agronomy. Tillage and herbicides are the two options available for volunteer control, but farmers need to start these methods early, in order to leave time for a second chance if control is not complete. “The biggest thing is that we all have got to work together as farmers and change with the times,” said Ochs. “This is a different time than it was 15 or 20 years ago when we didn’t have to control volunteer wheat.” For more information on controlling your volunteer wheat, head to agronomy.k-state.edu. Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 7


Jagger's double decade impact

by Alex Lessard, Kansas Wheat Alliance Communications Intern

This year marks the 22nd anniversary of Kansas State University’s hard red winter wheat variety, Jagger. This variety has made an impact in several countries, states and individual farms, since its release in 1994. Not only was it one of the most widely planted varieties, but one of the best parent varieties as well. Dr. Rollin Sears, a retired wheat breeder for K-State and later AgriPro/Syngenta, made the initial cross for Jagger and several other widely-accepted varieties during his career. “When I came to Kansas, I noticed that most of the time wheat never ripens in Kansas. It usually dies because of the drought or high temperature. So, I was looking for and making crosses to try to identify wheats that would actually ripen and not die. Jagger was that variety.” Jagger was named after Minneapolis, Kansas, wheat farmer, Joe Jagger. Prior to that time, K-State had never named a wheat variety after a wheat farmer before, since they were always named after locations. Sears wanted to name the variety after Jagger, but wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do. “I asked four or five key wheat breeders, after Joe’s passing, and all of them started to cry because they felt so affectionate for Joe and realized the impact he’d 8

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

had on wheat, so I knew it was the right decision,” said Sears on naming the variety after Jagger. In the last few years, Jagger was marketed by the Kansas Wheat Alliance. This variety may not be seen in many fields across the state as Jagger anymore, but it lives on in the pedigree of several current varieties. Those varieties include K-State’s Everest, Joe - KWA’s newest hard white wheat variety released in 2015 - and Tatanka, one of KWA’s newest hard red wheats released this fall. In addition to having a high percentage of pedigrees worldwide, it was also part of the foundation for wheat breeding. Sears explained the moment he chose the cross for Jagger. “I could take you to the exact spot where Jagger was selected at Ashland Bottoms. It was just one of those things where you’re just walking along and you’re looking at thousands of rows of wheat and then, all of a sudden, you come to this row and it’s like love at first sight when you see it and you know that this is going to be a successful variety of wheat,” said Sears. Jagger was planted in two foundation fields in its first year. Nine years later, it reached its peak and had a total of 34,278 acres of seed production, 1,323,294 clean seed produced and averaged a clean seed yield of 38.6 bushels per acre. Last

year, Jagger had 631 acres of seed production, 19,778 clean seed produced and averaged a clean seed yield of 31.3 bushels per acre. Over the span of 21 years, Jagger has been planted in 299,933 acres with 9,642,893 bushels of clean seed produced. In the first spring after Jagger’s release, a series of killing frosts wiped through Kansas, severely injuring many of the Jagger fields. During that time, several farmers had started to give up on Jagger, but after a cool spring with a few good rains, Jagger fields made an astounding recovery. After that, Jagger had a series of good years with successful yields. Sears recalled knowing that Jagger would be a good variety because he noticed there was something special about this variety, but he never imagined that it would be such a popular variety, accepted in so many different places. Jagger’s strengths include a fast establishment in the fall, exceptional baking quality, good performance on low-pH soils, very good drought tolerance and being moderately resistant to tan spot. On the other hand, Jagger had a few weaknesses. This variety had been known to shatter, have below-average straw strength, susceptible to leaf rust and Hessian fly, moderately susceptible to stripe rust and had below-average test weight.


This popular variety has been successful across all the Central and Southern Plains. It also has good tolerance to drought and wheat streak mosaic virus in the region. At the Borlaug Summit convention in 2014, a farmer from Georgia, a small country between Europe and Asia, told Sears he had wanted to thank him for a long time because Jagger had saved his farm. In Jagger’s lifespan, it was planted as a significant variety in 12 countries. It was a hard working variety for farmers because it was dependable and didn’t give up. At one point, Jagger was planted on nearly every acre in south central Kansas.

2016 Kansas Wheat Seed Book now available

The 2016 Kansas Wheat Seed Book is now available. In this book, you will find a recap of the 2015-16 wheat crop, with a detailed discussion of factors that may have played an important role in the record-breaking yields observed across the state. More importantly, the results of the 2016 wheat variety performance tests are also shown. Producers and crop consultants can use this resource to help select wheat varieties for their operation by checking for varieties that show a consistently good performance in their region. After selecting a few, well-adapted varieties, just flip to the second half of the book to find the contact for certified seed producers who carry the seed of the varieties you would like to plant. The online version of the variety performance test results and certified seed directory is available at http://www.kscrop.org/seed-directory.html. For a hard copy, please contact your local extension office.

“It’s humbling to know that at one point you held all the Jagger that existed in the world in the palm of your hand. Then the seed was increased and grown by everybody and got up to over 15 million acres,” explained Sears. Kansas Wheat Alliance is a nonprofit organization supporting the wheat interests of K-State, seed producers and farmers. For additional information about the KWA, visit www.kswheatalliance. org.

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 9


Keller receives 2016 Clutter memorial scholarship by Malerie Strahm, Kansas Wheat Communications Intern

Knowing that a career in agriculture will help feed the world and make an impact on the environment is what motivates Brandon Keller of Alberta, KS. His apparent passion for the industry, involvement in community service, and academic excellence are what set Keller up as the best recipient for the 2016 Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will award Keller $500 per year toward his college tuition.

and was involved in several clubs including NHS, STUCO, SADD, Scholars Bowl and KAY club. He also participated in varsity football, basketball and track. Throughout school, Keller has always enjoyed science and wants to mix that with his farming lifestyle with his agronomy degree. Keller’s enthusiasm for agriculture and serving the world make him an ideal representative of the Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship.

“I plan to go to K-state and get an agronomy degree to be a crop consultant,” said Keller. “As I went through middle school and high school, I started looking into the different options that agriculture could give me for a career and I found one that I like as of right now.”

"Brandon’s passions for his community and agriculture have made him an excellent recipient of the scholarship," said Jordan Hildebrand, program assistant at Kansas Wheat. "We're proud to encourage high school students like Brandon to pursue a career in the wheat industry."

Keller enjoyed growing up on his family’s farm, working with his dad and brother and notes that valuable lessons are reflected in his daily life.

The Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship was established through a fund in memory of Herbert W. Clutter, a farmer from Holcomb and the first president of the National Association of Wheat Growers. The history of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Wheat Commission is enriched with the memory and lasting leadership of Clutter and his family.

“Growing up in the agriculture world, I learned that with hard work and dedication to your job or anything you’re doing, do it to the best of your ability,” said Keller. “Maybe you’re not going to benefit directly from whatever your job is, but someone else is and a lot of people will appreciate it.” Keller put that hard work and dedication to good use in school where he excelled academically 10

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

"Mr. Clutter's enthusiasm and leadership for the wheat industry serve as an excellent example for young adults as they take this next step in their lives," said Hildebrand. "We are

honored to offer a scholarship in remembrance of Herb Clutter, and to share his passion for the industry and his community with future generations of wheat leaders." Applicants for the annual Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship must be incoming freshman from Kansas who will be full-time students at any two or four-year, Kansas college or university. They should plan to pursue a career in the field of agriculture. Next year’s 2017 Herb Clutter Memorial Scholarship application will be available this fall and will be due Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Applications and additional information about the scholarship can be found on the Kansas Wheat website at kansaswheat. org.


Pear-Cinnamon Breakfast Bread

This recipe from Katharine Breece, San Diego, California, is featured in our 2016 Kansas Wheat Recipe Book, which will make its debut at the Kansas State Fair in September.

Ingredients 2 ¼ - 2 ½ cups King Arthur® Unbleached Bread Flour, divided ½ cup King Arthur® White Whole Wheat Flour 1 (¼ ounce) package RED STAR® Quick∙Rise™ Yeast 2 tablespoons turbinado raw cane sugar 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground cardamom ¾ cup unpeeled, finely chopped ripe pear (1 small) ¾ cup ice cold water* 1 large egg, beaten 1 tablespoon olive oil CINNAMON FILLING ¼ cup turbinado raw cane sugar 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened Milk and 1 tablespoon turbinado raw cane sugar (optional) *KWC Test Kitchen Note: Ice cold water is necessary to minimize overheating the dough in the food processor.

Nutrition Information PER SERVING (1 SLICE, 57g) 140 calories, 4g protein, 25g carbohydrates, 2g dietary fiber, 3g fat, 1g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 15mg cholesterol, 52mcg folate, 150mg sodium, 0mg vitamin C, 1mg iron, 9mg calcium.

Directions

1. For the dough: In an 11-cup food processor fitted with dough blade, combine 2 ¼ cups bread flour, white whole wheat flour, yeast, sugar, salt and cardamom. Process until well combined. Add pear and process 30 seconds.

2. Combine water, egg and oil. With processor running, steadily drizzle the liquid through the tube until dough forms a ball. Depending on the ripeness of the pear, additional flour may be needed. Process 60 seconds to knead dough. Transfer dough to oiled bowl. Cover; let rise until doubled. 3. For the filling: Combine sugar and cinnamon. Grease one 12” x 4” loaf pan or 10” x 5” loaf pan. 4. On floured work surface, deflate the dough. For 12” x 4” pan, roll into a 15” x 12” rectangle; for 10” x 5” pan, roll into a 15” x 8” rectangle. Spread butter over dough and sprinkle with

sugar-cinnamon. Starting with short side, roll up tightly; pinch edges and ends to seal. Place seam-side down. With bench knife, cut ¾” slices, slicing almost completely through the roll. Transfer to loaf pan. 5. Cover; let rise until almost doubled. If desired, right before baking, brush top with milk and sprinkle with sugar. If using 12” x 4” pan, bake in preheated 400°F oven 10 minutes, then 375°F 25 - 30 minutes. If using 10” x 5” pan, bake at 375°F 40 - 45 minutes. Halfway through baking, turn the pan around for even baking. To prevent over-browning, loosely cover bread with aluminum foil. The bread is done when golden and a thermometer inserted registers 205°F 210°F. Cool in pan 20 minutes; turn loaf out onto a rack. Yield: 1 large loaf, 16 servings.

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 11


August 2016

STAKEHOLDER NEWS BRIEF Moving the Mission August is always exciting as we welcome back our wonderful student employees and learn about their summer internships. Here is a quick highlight of some of the administrative activities that have Brandi Miller happened this summer. Shawn Thiele was hired to serve in the flour milling and grain processing curriculum manager position. We are working to fill his vacated mill manager position, but in the interim, he will serve in dual roles. The associate director position has also been posted internally at Kansas State University. The month began with the IGP–KSU Risk Management training hosted by Jay O’Neil. The course had seven participants from four countries. The participants learned about the U.S. market, the basis of trading and hedging and fundamentals of risk management. Sajid Alavi also hosted the IGP–KSU Extrusion Processing: Technology and Commercialization course. The training included participants from seven countries who learned the different facets of extrusion processing and participated in a field trip to Wenger Manufacturing.

In the Spotlight • Senior Product Specialist, Nestle Purina. • Resident of St. Louis, Missouri. • Participant in the IGP–KSU Extrusion Processing: Technology and Commercialization Course. Marilyn McGrath “My thought processes are more refined. I know now what to look for when it comes to extrusion.”

Meanwhile, I helped plan and participated in the Preventive Controls for Animal Food and Lead Instructor training. The training brought more than 50 individuals from the U.S. and a few international locations to learn how to facilitate the teaching of the new FSMA curriculum as mandated by the FDA. The course was taught by Cassie Jones, Charles Stark, Adam Fahrenholz, North Carolina State University faculty and Sonya Lambkin with the FDA. Jay, Carlos Campabadal and Kelly Hannigan are participating in the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange, an event that brings together industry representatives and international trade teams interested in soybean utilization and production. The Grain Elevator and Processing Society hosted the annual continuing education program oversight committee meeting. Some topics of discussion were forming future partnerships, updating program formats as well as the upcoming hands-on training initiatives. As we look to a busy fall, we are excited to continue to share the many activities taking place at the IGP Institute.

Brandi Miller IGP Institute Interim Associate Director

Trainings and Activities Courses and activities held in August. • IGP–KSU Risk Management • IGP–KSU Pet Food Workshop • IGP–KSU Extrusion Processing: Technology and Commercialization Course • Hosted presentation on U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles to visiting Egypt Grain Inspectors. • Gave IGP Institute overview to visiting Kansas Soybean Youth Leaders group. • AFIA 500 – Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing • Hosted a Venezuelan trade team

1980 Kimball Avenue, 102 IGP Institute Conference Center | Manhattan, KS 66506–7000 | Tel. 785-532-4070 | Fax 785-532-6080 | www.grains.k-state.edu/igp | igp@ksu.edu

12

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016


Where in the World A monthly look at where we’ve been as we make our way around the globe promoting U.S. commodities and IGP Institute training opportunities. • Spoke at U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Feed Technology seminars in Santo Domingo and Santiago, Dominican Republic. • Participated in a Grain Elevators Processing Society (GEAPS) meeting in Kansas City, Missouri. • Attended the U.S. Soy Global Exchange and Trade Show in Indianapolis, Indiana. • Hosted Venezuelan trade team.

Rave Reviews “I learned what we could do to minimize our risk when buying grains. I also learned a lot about other things in the market, like U.S. wheat and U.S. grains,” – Gabriela Moraes, Market Analyst, M. Dias Branco, Jaboatao dos Guararapes, Brazil IGP–KSU Risk Management “I started working in pet food nutrition and there is a lot of technology behind the nutrition, which is my weak point. I am very glad to be here and to learn because the people giving this course know so much about technology.” – Alfredo Irazusta, Technical Assistance, Alinat Sa, Buenos Aires, Argentina IGP–KSU Pet Food Workshop “I really enjoyed the overall depth of the course. It took what I already knew and made it easier to understand.” – Chris Waggoner, Senior Extruder Opporator, Kansas Ethanol, LLC, Lyons, Kansas IGP–KSU Extrusion Processing: Technology and Commercialization

Pictured to right: Course participants from the IGP–KSU Risk Management and Extrusion Processing Technology and Commercialization courses.

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 13


News from : NAWG Weekly Updates August 4, 2016 Marshall Secures Victory in Primary Over Incumbent Huelskamp Washington, D.C. – On Thursday August 4, Dr. Roger Marshall from Kansas’ First district won the primary against three-term incumbent Rep. Tim Huelskamp, after a closelyfollowed race. Marshall, endorsed by the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and several other national and state agriculture groups, won with 57 percent of the vote to secure himself the candidacy. Marshall’s victory in the primary is an important step forward in reclaiming a House Agriculture Committee seat for Kansas’ First district. The “Big First” is the largest wheat-producing Congressional district in the country but has not had a voice there in nearly four years. “Marshall’s victory in this primary is emblematic of the desire for true agriculture representation in Washington, 14

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

D.C.,” says NAWG Vice President and Kansas’ First district farmer David Schemm. “He has demonstrated that he can work with Kansas farmers, listen to our needs, and be our effective advocate in Congress. NAWG looks forward to the opportunity to work with Dr. Marshall to secure a seat on the House Ag Committee, because the current fragile farm economy illustrates how important a functional Farm Bill is to rural America. We are thrilled to have backed a candidate who understands the needs of Kansas’ and U.S. wheat farmers and shown that he is willing to do even more for them in the upcoming Farm Bill.” NAWG congratulates Marshall on his victory and looks forward to continuing to support him in the general election in his bid for the First district seat. GMO Bill Signed into Law by POTUS President Barack Obama signed the GMO labeling bill on July 29, 2016. This historic bill will require

the mandatory labeling of food that contains genetic engineering. The legislation gives food producers the option to either label their products with wording or a symbol, or to provide a smart phone accessible digital QR code that when scanned, discloses information concerning whether the food contains ingredients made with biotechnology. The newly signed law will preempt a potential patchwork of state-based GMO labeling laws that could’ve caused chaos in the national food manufacturing and distribution system. With the President’s signature, the next step will be implementation of a national labeling system by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. EPA Science Panel Does Not Have Confidence in Chlorpyrifos Study Earlier this year, NAWG signed on to a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy regarding EPA’s swift action to use one study to


determine safe levels of exposure to chlorpyrifos. EPA convened a Scientific Advisory Plan (SAP) to review the study and that SAP has now concluded that the agency should not rely on an epidemiological study to set the safe levels of exposure for the pesticide, which is one of the most commonly used pesticides, proven to be safe and effective for an array of commodities. In NAWG’s letter to the EPA, we emphasized that the EPA should not move forward with changing decades of regulatory practice without properly considering the science-based data and efficacy of past regulatory practices. NAWG supports the review of crop protection tools based on sound science and transparent procedures, ensuring that growers have access to a variety of crop protection tools. EPA’s recent actions call into question their adherence to a consistent, transparent regulatory process. NAWG Welcomes Registration of New Wheat Herbicide A new low application rate wheat herbicide, Quelex, received approval this week. Developed by Dow AgroSciences, the herbicide label has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, allowing the company to move forward with marketing the product. Containing the active ingredient Arylex, Quelex is the first product with a new active ingredient presented to the herbicide market for wheat production in over twenty years. Due to a lack of herbicide residue left on the crop after application, producers will have newfound flexibility for their crop rotation programs. This increased crop rotation flexibility will provide

wheat growers with choices that will help them to improve soil condition; reduce weed, insect and disease pressure; enable successful conservation tillage and enhance our flexibility in seed variety selections. Additional information can be found on the Dow website at: http://www.dowagro.com/ en-us/usag/news-and-resources/ newsroom/2016/august/02/newwheat-herbicide-offers-controlwithout-compromise New Research Reveals Future of Wheat Genetics By analyzing tissue algorithms, research teams from Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known as CIMMYT in Mexico, have developed a way to select new varieties of wheat without having to invest the money and effort into producing the grain to test. New research has shown that breeders can look at DNA from a single plant and predict the ideal milling and baking characteristics it would contain. Before mapping out the entire wheat genome, breeders had to make educated predictions based off of the available metrics. Now that the genome is mapped, geneticists can select traits based off of new prediction models. “Quality is difficult to select for because historically you couldn’t assess a wheat variety’s quality characteristics until you had a certain amount of grain that you could test and, you can’t get that amount of grain to mill and bake without putting a lot of money and effort into getting it.” said Kansas State professor Allan Fritz. NAWG applauds this exciting ground-breaking research done by these teams and looks forward to

the new varieties to come forth. This highlights the importance of the mapping of the wheat genome that was announced earlier in the year by the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium. Higher yields paired with higher quality in a wheat crop can help ensure a safe and sustainable global food source for years to come. August Recess Is Opportunity for Engagement with Members of Congress With Congress out of session and back in their home states for the month of August, now is the time for farmers to contact their members to discuss the issues that are most important to them. This extended break presents an opportunity for farmers to communicate with their representatives and urge them to act in the interests of wheat growers in prioritizing issues for the Farm Bill, such as crop insurance and other farm safety net programs. Farmers should be sure to attend local events and make their voices heard in the fight for policies which will have significant implications for agriculture.

August 11, 2016 NAWG Releases Farm Bill Survey to Receive Input From Wheat Growers NAWG launched a Farm Bill Survey intended to gather feedback from growers about what policies are most important to them as NAWG begins planning for the next Farm Bill. The survey, distributed through NAWG’s state association executives and NAWG board members, asks farmers to describe their Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 15


experiences with their crop insurance coverage, Title 1 programs like ARC and PLC, and Title 2 conservation programs. Input from wheat growers helps NAWG as a grassroots, membership-based organization work to actively address issues that growers face every day. The information gathered through this survey will guide discussions by NAWG policy committees and support the development of policy recommendations from NAWG state associations. The planning and implementation of a functional 2018 Farm Bill depends on the active and insightful input from wheat growers, to clarify the successes and miss-steps from previous Farm Bills, improve programs that are not as effective as they could be, and maintain and improve the programs that benefit wheat growers. NAWG looks forward to reviewing the results of the survey to learn how we can move forward in benefitting wheat growers through the planning of the next Farm Bill. NASS Production Surveys Serve as Basis of Farm Program Payments Just as NAWG needs to hear from wheat farmers about the effectiveness of Farm Bill programs, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) needs to hear from you about your production. NASS conducts a number of surveys each year and data gathered through crop production surveys like the County Agricultural Production Survey (CAPS) and the September Agricultural Survey are used to establish payment rates for the Agriculture 16

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, as well as many other USDAadministered programs. Accurate and fair ARC and PLC payments are absolutely dependent upon accurate data. If NASS hasn’t received at least 30 survey responses (or surveys covering 25% of the acreage) in a county, then NASS is unable to publish production data for that county. When that happens, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will then use production data from the Risk Management Agency (RMA) and then regional NASS data to establish that county’s yield. If the historical yield for that county was based on NASS data, then FSA would not have to resort to comparing data from potentially different sources. That situation, or if NASS doesn’t have accurate data, can lead to fluctuations in ARC payment rates between counties. The 2016 small grains CAPS survey has been mailed out, and the September Agricultural Survey will be mailed out in the next two weeks. These surveys are not sent to all farmers; if you received either survey in the mail, please respond, either via the paper survey itself or there are options to respond electronically, by phone, or in person. All information NASS collects in these surveys will be kept strictly confidential, as required by federal law. The results of these surveys will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. USDA Report Shows Decline in Production Costs in 2015

A report released by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS) shows that after several years of steady increases in production costs, farm production expenditures declined in 2015 by 8.8 percent on average from 2014. The report, based on data obtained through NASS’s annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS), broke down farmer-reported production costs based on type of operation, economic classification, and production region, among other subsets. For crop farmers, production expenses were $180.3 billion in aggregate, which was 10.9 percent lower than 2014. On average, an individual crop farm spent $189,710 in 2015, which was down from $213,150 in 2014. Similar to other NASS surveys, this report provides estimated input costs based on information received through producer surveys. NAWG staff would be interested to hear the degree to which this information reflects the experience of wheat farmers. NAWG Environmental Staff Attends Monarch Collaborative Meetings NAWG’s environmental policy adviser was in St. Louis, MO this week to attend a conference of the Monarch Collaborative, which is a coalition of growers, scientists, industry stakeholders, and other private sector representatives to recognize and promote the role of agriculture in monarch conservation. The coalition works to facilitate discussion about what growers can do to conserve monarch populations without sacrificing production, and develop partnership opportunities to increase monarch habitats in


rural landscapes. At this meeting, there were panels of growers discussing their perspectives and experiences with monarch habitat, as well as updates from organizations such as Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). NAWG’s environmental policy adviser participated in a panel so far that included other commodity growers and a Missouri state conservation agency representative. The goals of these panels and program overviews is to foster new and innovative efforts that growers and scientists can implement to develop pollinator plans across several states, develop more effective partnerships between entities, explore the costs of monarch conservation, and to explore other environmental concerns.

August 18, 2016 Reminder: Respond to NAWG and NASS Surveys As was announced, NAWG is undertaking a survey process of wheat farmers to get feedback about Farm Bill programs and to lay the groundwork for developing Wheat’s priorities for the next Farm Bill. The response has been outstanding so far, and we encourage you to share the link with your fellow wheat farmers. It can be accessed at http://www. surveygizmo.com/s3/2958973/ NAWG-Farm-Bill-Survey. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is also in the process of gathering responses from its County Agricultural Production Survey. Farm program payments through ARC and PLC are based on production data gathered through

this confidential survey, and so it’s critically important that farmers who’ve received it in the mail respond to it. As was noted in NAWG’s e-newsletter last week, the results of these surveys will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified. NAWG CEO Goule Travels to States for Annual Meetings NAWG CEO Chandler Goule has been traveling to several NAWG member states to meet with state association staff and growers and communicate NAWG’s policy priorities and efforts in Washington. Goule was in North Carolina, where he attended a large field day in the Blacklands of North Carolina, meeting with growers, NGO leaders, and input providers. While attending a North Carolina Small Grain Growers Association (NCSGGA) meeting, Goule discussed NAWG’s goals in moving towards a functional Farm Bill and ensuring wheat growers would be prioritized in the planning of the Bill. Following North Carolina, Goule moved on to Nebraska and Oklahoma, attending several certified seed meetings in Nebraska, with attendance ranging from 80 to 130 growers at each. While in Nebraska, Goule spoke with several University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL) Extension faculty members, including Jeff Noel, Director of Husk Genetics; Dr. Stephen Baenziger, wheat breeder, Wheat Growers Presidential Chair, and Professor of Agronomy at UNL; Jeff Bradshaw, Associate Professor of Entomology at Panhandle

Research and Extension Center at UNL; and Steve Knox, President of the Nebraska Crop Improvement Association. Finally, Goule attended Oklahoma Wheat Growers and Commission meetings in El Reno, Oklahoma, where he presented to nearly 120 growers regarding implementation of the current Farm Bill and the strategic plan for the next Bill. He also met with the President of the American Farmers and Ranchers and Oklahoma Farmers Union, Terry Detrick, who is also a former NAWG president. After a full two weeks of touring, meeting growers, and presenting, Goule would like to thank Dan Weathington and Phil McLain of NC, Caroline Brauer of NE, and Mike Shulte of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, for their help in coordinating these travels and meetings, as well as all the wheat growers with whom he met and spoke. Senator Moran Asks USDA and USAID to Prioritize Wheat in Food Aid Programs Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) has written a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Gayle Smith, urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and USAID to prioritize wheat in U.S. food aid in order to reduce global insecurity and to address the historic wheat harvest in the U.S. Although these high yields have depressed prices, they represent an opportunity to increase shipments of wheat through Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 17


food aid programs, continuing the U.S.’s position as a leader in the fight against global hunger. The U.S. contributes nearly half of all in-kind donations to food insecure countries. Senator Moran’s letter urges the Obama administration to consider the role of wheat as the most consumed commodity worldwide and encourages them to increase wheat in their food aid programs. USDA To Hold Series of Fall Forums to Discuss High Priority Issues USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the department would be providing $17.8 million in funding for 37 projects through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. As part of the discussing this investment, he also announced that USDA would hold a series of forums over the next few months to get feedback from stakeholders about high priority issues and to prepare for the transition to the next presidential Administration. While specific details haven’t yet been released, the announcement indicates that the forums will focus on different topics including land tenure and the next generation of agriculture, climate change, export markets, local and regional food systems, and agricultural research. These sessions will be held in partnership with universities across the country. As NAWG learns more information about these sessions, those details will be shared in the weekly e-newsletter. United Soybean Board Discontinues Funding for Double Crop Initiative, 18

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

Affecting Wheat Industry The United Soybean Board (USB) communicated its decision to discontinue funding the Double Crop Initiative for its second year, 2017. Slated for three years, the project was only in the first year of its implementation. These research projects were aimed to establish best management practices to improve the productivity of this winter-wheat-followedby-soybean cropping system. This decision will affect those wheat farmers and states in the wheat industry, as well as private companies that were involved in the project. This initiative was implemented to develop strategies including research, education, communication and activities to increase yield and profitability of double crop soybeans without sacrificing wheat yield. The NAWG member states affected by this decision are Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Kansas, and Oklahoma. The USB has indicated their decision was influenced by a change of strategic direction and budget constraints caused by lower soybean commodity prices. CIMMYT Develops New HighValue Traits for ClimateResistant Grains Varieties As food security is a constant concern for American farmers and agriculturalists, DNA tools and informatics are ever evolving in the realm of genetic modification. According to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), these tools are used to make new advancements in selecting highvalued traits for climate-resilient varieties to ensure the future

of food security. Thousands of years ago, genetic modification occurred naturally as the native grasses reached new lands by travel and trade. Conservation efforts later were implemented to protect the native wheat and maize genetic diversity which now contributes to the genetic variation stored in the CIMMYT genebank. CIMMYT and partners have screened over 100,000 heat tolerant and disease resistant plant samples which are used in developing bridging germplasm. These plant samples provide the diversity needed to develop wheat and maize varieties resistant to natural stresses such as heat tolerance as well as disease resistance. The reluctance to use these native plants, however, results from the less-desirable, wild, traits that are difficult, timeintensive and costly to disconnect from the more desirable traits. The good news is breeders in seven countries, including the United States, are already testing these collections to isolate the desirable traits and make them available for implementation by commercial breeders. As science and technologies continually progress to the benefit of agriculture and wheat growers, the National Association of Wheat Growers proudly appreciates the advancements made by CIMMYT. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals Denies Bid for Challenges to the W.O.T.U.S. Rule The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in denial of states’ bid to have their challenges to the Waters of the U.S. rule heard by district courts. The


states were pushing for district hearing because they thought they would find an audience more willing to listen to their concerns. However, a panel ruled this week that an appeal be put on hold while the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals continues with its own cases that challenge the EPA rule. The 6th Circuit put the rule on hold nationwide in October, but states and industry groups were asking the 11th circuit to hear their appeals. However the 11th circuit panel ruled that it would be a waste of resources for both courts to undertake the same issues simultaneously.

August 25, 2016 Reminder: Marketing Assistance Loans Available A number of factors, including favorable weather conditions in the U.S. and large production around the globe, have contributed to incredibly low prices for wheat throughout rural America. Prices have dipped so low that loan rates have been triggered in many areas, meaning that Marketing Assistance Loans (MALs) and Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs) through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) are available to producers in order to help farmers meet cash-flow needs without having to sell their commodities during harvest time and to wait for more favorable marketing conditions. With a MAL, farmers can repay the loan at less than the loan rate (plus accrued interest) or receive an LDP. The availability of MALs and LDPs can vary day to day based on the Posted County

Price, which is based on the Terminal Market. This figure is updated every morning on the Farm Service Agency’s website. Additionally, in order to be eligible for MALs and LDPs, the farmer must retain “beneficial interest” in the commodity (both control of the commodity and title to the commodity). Additional information and forms to show that the farmer retains beneficial interest can be obtained from your local FSA office. Producers should also note that the MAL and LDP programs have implications for payment limitations. If the MAL is repaid at less than the principal, the difference is referred to as a “marketing loan gain,” which is subject to the aggregate $125,000 payment limit; this single limitation applies to payments made through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program, Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program, MALs and LDPs. However, a farmer also has the option of purchasing a Commodity Certificate, which can be exchanged for their outstanding loan collateral instead of forfeiting the commodity. Gains through the use of Commodity Certificate are not subject to the payment limitation. More information can be found in this FSA fact sheet. Secretary Vilsack Says Next Farm Bill Should Consider the Needs of the Ag Industry Secretary Vilsack said that recruiting military veterans and youth into farming should be a consideration as developments towards the next Farm Bill continue. Vilsack stated that the next Farm Bill should consider

what the actual needs of the agriculture industry are, including what he says is the necessity of a new generation of farmers to address the global food demand. In speaking on the needs of the agriculture industry, Vilsack commented on the rising average age of farmers, and the need to encourage the participation of youth in agriculture. Secretary Vilsack, in highlighting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s program “Hiring our Heroes”, also called for the recruiting of veterans in agriculture. Not only are there more than 5 million veterans living in rural areas, but veterans will also benefit from participation in agriculture as a way to transition back into society and post-military life. As a broad effort to match veterans with training and job openings in a wide range of fields, the “Hiring our Heroes” program incorporates efforts to include opportunities in agriculture, after the 2014 Farm Bill mandated the implementation of programs and actions related to veteran outreach. It is important, says Vilsack, that we allow veterans and young people to play a significant role in the future of agriculture in this country. National Wheat Action Plan Advisory Council Meets in Denver The National Wheat Action Plan (NWAP) Advisory Council met in Denver this week to discuss the further development of the NWAP to increase public and private wheat research, improve wheat productivity and farmer profitability, and increase grower investment in and implementation of modern wheat production practices. In discussions with Aimpoint, the Advisory Council Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 19


discussed plans for increased development and implementation by the end of this calendar year. The Advisory Council continues to work towards the overall goal of driving greater involvement in and support for the wheat industry from farmers, industry partners and other stakeholders, while attracting investment of private capital to stimulate expenditure on private and public wheat research. Reminder: Respond to NAWG and NASS Surveys NAWG is undertaking a survey process of wheat farmers to get feedback about Farm Bill programs and to lay the groundwork for developing Wheat’s priorities for the next Farm Bill. The response has been outstanding so far, and we encourage you to share the link with your fellow wheat farmers. It can be accessed at http://www. surveygizmo.com/s3/2958973/ NAWG-Farm-Bill-Survey. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is also in the process of gathering responses from its County Agricultural Production Survey. Farm program payments through ARC and PLC are based on production data gathered through this confidential survey, and so it’s critically important that farmers who’ve received it in the mail respond to it. As was noted in NAWG’s e-newsletter last week, the results of these surveys will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

20

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016


Twisted Honey Nut Loaves

Celebrate National Honey Month in September with this recipe from Patrice Hurd, Bemidji, Minnesota.

Ingredients 3 ½ - 4 cups King Arthur® Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, divided 2 (¼ ounce) packages RED STAR® Platinum Superior Baking Yeast ½ cup water ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter ¼ cup honey ½ cup sour cream ½ teaspoon salt 2 large eggs WALNUT FILLING 2 cups English walnut pieces ¼ cup honey ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened 1 tablespoon King Arthur® Unbleached All-Purpose Flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 large egg yolks MAPLE GLAZE 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 tablespoons honey ¼ teaspoon maple extract ½ cup confectioners’ sugar

Nutrition Information PER SERVING (1 SLICE, 44g) 160 calories, 3g protein, 19g carbohydrates, 1g dietary fiber, 9g fat, 3g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 30mg cholesterol, 45mcg folate, 40mg sodium, 0mg vitamin C, 1mg iron, 16mg calcium.

Directions

1. For the dough: In bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle, mix 3 cups flour and yeast. Heat water, butter, honey, sour cream and salt to 120°F - 130°F. On low speed, slowly pour over dry ingredients until blended.

2. Add eggs and beat at medium speed 2 minutes; add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Switch to dough hook, knead 10 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl, turn to coat. Cover; let rise until doubled.

in half lengthwise, cutting clear through the dough. 6. Place halves, side-by-side with cut edges up; twist together several times, keeping the cut edges up. Pinch ends to seal, tuck under loaf. Transfer to pan. Repeat with other half. Cover with lightly sprayed plastic wrap; let rise until doubled. Preheat oven to 350°F.

3. Lightly grease and line with parchment two 8 ½”x 4 ½” loaf pans. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and press to deflate. Cover; let rest 5 minutes.

7. Bake loaves 40 minutes or until golden. If needed, loosely cover bread with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. The bread is done when a thermometer inserted into the center registers 195°F. Cool in pan on rack 10 minutes. Peel away parchment and place loaves on rack to cool.

4. For the filling: Place walnuts in food processor or blender and finely grind to a paste. Pulse in honey, butter, flour, cinnamon and egg yolks.

8. For the glaze: Heat butter and honey in microwave until butter melts. Whisk in maple extract and confectioners’ sugar; drizzle over bread.

5. Divide dough in half and roll into a 14” square. Spread half of the filling to within 1” of edges. Roll up, pinch seam to seal. With seam-side down, with a sharp knife, cut roll

Yield: 2 loaves, 18 servings each.

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 21


News from : August 11, 2016 U.S. Hard Red Winter Carry-In Stocks Support Higher Protein Supply By Stephanie Bryant-Erdmann, USW Market Analyst For customers looking to meet their needs for higher protein bread wheat, the United States remains the supplier of choice after carrying in a strong supply of hard red winter (HRW) from the 2015/16 crop with a protein average of 12 percent or more (on a 12 percent moisture basis). Higher protein HRW does carry a premium that is significantly higher than it was when harvest started, but low futures prices take some of the bite out of that market factor for buyers. Large U.S. carry-in stocks partially offset concern about the high-yielding, lower protein 2016/17 HRW crop and the challenging production and quality issues in the European Union (EU). On July 25, the European Union’s Crop Monitoring Service (MARS) reported abundant rain fell across the EU in June and July. While the rain helped the wheat crop in some countries, it hindered harvest and caused local damage in others. In particular, France, 22

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

Germany and Poland received 50 percent more rain than normal from June 1 to July 20. As a result, Strategie Grains lowered its EU soft wheat production estimate to 138 million metric tons (MMT), down 9 percent from the 2015 record crop on Aug. 11. Not only has the rain affected production quantity, it has also hurt quality with France being the hardest hit. According to Strategie Grains data, an average of about 80 percent of French wheat production is milling quality, or roughly 30.0 MMT, in a typical year. However, total French production this year is expected to fall below 30.0 MMT. On Aug. 4, FranceAgriMer lowered its estimate for French wheat production to a 30-year low of 29.1 MMT, down 29 percent year over year, if realized. While EU production will be lower, the United States is currently harvesting the largest HRW crop since 2008/09. In July, USDA pegged 2016/17 U.S. HRW production at 28.1 MMT, up 25 percent from 2015/16 despite an 8 percent reduction in planted area year over year. Preliminary test results from the USW Harvest Report on Aug. 5 show a very sound, healthy crop

with high test weight (TW), above average thousand kernel weight (TKW) and below average total defects. Average TW of samples to date is 79.7 kg/hl (60.6 lb/bu) compared to the 2015 final average of 78.0 kg/hl (59.3 lb/bu). Average TKW is 31.8 grams, significantly higher than the 5-year average of 29.1 grams. Total defects are 1.3 percent, down from 1.7 percent in 2015. The average grade is #1 HRW, and average protein is 11.1 percent on a 12 percent moisture basis. Though the average 2016/17 HRW protein is lower than normal due to very favorable growing conditions, the United States has large HRW carry-in stocks from the 2015/16 harvest, which averaged 12.4 percent protein according to the USW 2015 Crop Quality survey. This year, U.S. HRW beginning stocks totaled 12.1 MMT, compared to the 5-year average of 8.57 MMT. In 2015/16 Gulf-tributary HRW averaged slightly higher protein at 12.5 percent protein and the PNW exportable supply averaged 12.0 percent protein. U.S. 2016/17 highprotein, carry-in stocks allow U.S. exporters to meet any specification requirement. This can be seen in the year-to-date Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) export


inspection data. FGIS reported 45 percent of 2016/17 U.S. HRW exports were 12 percent protein or higher. Taking a Reasonable Approach to Unusual GM Wheat Finding By Steve Mercer, Vice President of Communications The recent discovery of a very small number of wheat plants with genetically engineered (GE) resistance to the herbicide glyphosate, as well as the actions of the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the reactions of wheat importing countries represent a reasonable, sciencebased approach to a very unusual situation. Nothing is more important to the U.S. wheat industry than the trust we have earned with customers at home and around the world by providing a reliable supply of high quality wheat. USW recognizes the challenges every stakeholder faced as this situation unfolded. We want to thank them all for their patient efforts. USW, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and state wheat organizations believe that APHIS has successfully managed this situation and provided sufficient evidence that this has not affected commercial wheat supplies. Based on that and other facts, we are very confident that nothing has changed the U.S. wheat supply chain’s ability to deliver wheat that matches every customer’s specifications. APHIS took prompt and thorough action to identify the regulated wheat event in the plants

that were discovered and has confirmed to stakeholders that: • the situation was isolated to only 22 plants in a fallow field in eastern Washington State; • there is no health risk associated with this wheat event based on Food and Drug Administration evaluation; • there is no evidence suggesting that this wheat event, or any other GE wheat event, has entered U.S. commercial supplies; • a validated test to detect this event in wheat was quickly produced and made available to trading partners if so desired to help ensure that any market disruption would be limited and temporary. A statement with more facts about this situation is posted at: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ ourfocus/biotechnology/brs-newsand-information/ct_news. APHIS kept wheat grower organizations, as well as government officials in several key overseas markets, informed as it worked to find the facts. In turn, USW shared information about the situation with overseas grain trade and buyers in several countries that import U.S. wheat. Two countries took public action after APHIS announced it was looking into the isolated discovery. Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) temporarily withheld imported U.S. wheat from being milled until it could deploy the new detection test. That agency started testing U.S. wheat very quickly, and found no

evidence of GE wheat. Reassured that imported U.S. wheat imports meet all health and safety requirements, MFDS ended its temporary suspension within just seven days of the public statement from APHIS. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has temporarily suspended only new purchases of western white wheat (soft white and 20 percent club wheat) from the PNW until it can validate and start using a customized version of the new detection assay test. USW expects that to happen well before the end of August. If, as expected, the testing confirms that there is no GE wheat in U.S. white wheat supplies, MAFF will likely end its suspension quickly. MAFF did not suspend any open or new purchases of U.S. HRW and HRS, so vessel loading in the PNW and discharge operations in Japan continue normally. It is also important to note that grain import officials in Korea and Japan have tested for the glyphosate resistance event identified in May 2013 and cleared every load of U.S. wheat delivered to those countries for the last three years. In addition, researchers at Washington State University have conducted routine phenotype screening for GE glyphosate tolerance in wheat since 2013. In each of the last three growing seasons, this field screening process has involved more than 80 varieties, 2,000 advanced breeding lines and more than 35,000 individual plots. Varieties included in these trials represent more than 95 percent of the wheat acreage planted in the state of Washington and much Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 23


of the acreage planted in Oregon and Idaho. Screening to date has revealed no glyphosate tolerant wheat plants in these trials. The federal systems in place ensure that unauthorized biotech products are tightly regulated and do not enter commercial channels. In fact, APHIS recently changed its rules to require developers to apply for a permit for field trials involving GE wheat. APHIS said this more stringent process adds protection that GE wheat will remain confined during the trials. On behalf of the U.S. wheat farmers we represent, USW again thanks our customers for their reasonable approach to this situation. We are confident that public and private breeders and federal regulators are taking all appropriate actions to ensure that U.S. wheat, wheat flour and wheat foods remain safe, wholesome and nutritious for people, and in animal feed, around the world. A Diatribe on the Politics of Trade Agreements By Ben Conner, USW Deputy Director of Policy Few who followed U.S. politics as recently as last summer would have expected to see presidential candidates from both major parties taking a hard line against new and existing free trade agreements, but that is the world we now wake up to every day. It has always been relatively easy to make the political case against free trade. Showing a closed factory or bemoaning jobs allegedly outsourced to “cheap foreign labor” gets too much attention compared to the positive, 24

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

but more complex, story of positive trade benefits. The arguments against trade usually ignore the growth of technology (including the introduction of the personal computer and the Internet that occurred simultaneously with implementation of trade agreements and increased productivity), overlook the fact that manufacturing output in the United States is at record levels, and dismiss the dependence of farmers —especially wheat farmers — on international trade for their survival. Another endlessly repeated concern is about a “growing trade deficit.” Trade deficits may matter, but not as much as opponents would leave us to believe. The perception that all deficits are bad stems partially from the almost exclusive focus by trade advocates on the benefits of trade agreements to exporting countries and industries. Let us use the elimination of import tariffs on U.S. wheat exports as an example. That situation does not mean that countries that import U.S. wheat are worse off because they decide they can afford to buy more U.S. wheat with lower tariffs. The purchase of U.S. wheat adds to the import side of the balance of trade, but that is only a bad thing if you assume that wheat itself has no value. Likewise, when a U.S. farmer buys fertilizer that was extracted from foreign deposits, the U.S. trade deficit goes up, but the farmer is more likely to be pleased with improving quality and yields than alarmed by an abstract accounting measure published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Another persistent objection raised by skeptics of free trade agreements is that foreign countries try to tip the scales against U.S. companies. And we know there is some truth in that. Much of USW’s trade policy work is devoted to off-agreement practices. More details about that work can be seen on the trade policy section on the USW website. The recourse to address such issues is in the enforcement provisions of trade agreements. Trade agreements have the potential to create a level playing field where individuals, families and companies can make their own decisions about what to buy and sell. The moral response is to allow people to trade with whom they wish, and not tip the scales. The role of trade agreements is to provide that opportunity, and that benefits both U.S. wheat buyers and wheat producers. USW Market Analyst Joins Colombian Trade Team on Its U.S. Tour For Stephanie Bryant-Erdmann, USW’s market analyst, the diversity of the wheat export market and its changes keep her job interesting. She works closely with industry partners and USW overseas staff to track the pulse of the industry, so when the opportunity to gain direct insight into customer needs and concerns by traveling with one of USW’s trade teams from Colombia — she took it. “Trade teams provide a unique opportunity to see the interaction between U.S. exporters and their customers that normally takes place remotely,” said Bryant-


Erdmann. “This face-to-face interaction helps me better understand the challenges and opportunities U.S. wheat exports face.” With funding from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, USW collaborated with the North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC) and the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee (MWBC) to host a trade team of five Colombian executives July 24 to 30, 2016. Colombia was the top destination for U.S. wheat in South America in marketing year 2015/16 (June to May) after importing over 670,000 metric tons (MT) from four of the six U.S. wheat classes. During their visits to North Dakota, Montana and Louisiana the team focused on renewing their familiarity with the advantages of the U.S. wheat marketing system and gaining a better understanding of the U.S. wheat industry. “The managers on this team represent the major flour, cookie and pasta groups in Colombia. Some are experienced buyers and account for 40 percent of the country’s wheat imports in 2015,” said USW Assistant Regional Director Osvaldo Seco, who led the team. “They are directly responsible for evaluating and importing wheat for their organizations and this trip put them directly in contact with traders to better inform their purchasing decisions.” The team started its trip in Fargo, ND, at the Northern Crops Institute where they heard from a variety of North Dakota State University durum and spring wheat researchers on breeding

and quality programs, pasta production techniques and pricing strategy. “The programs the state commissions put together were excellent. One highlight for me was the USDA-ARS Hard Spring and Durum Wheat Quality Laboratory on the NDSU campus,” said Bryant-Erdmann. “Not only did the team see the depth and breadth of the lab’s capabilities, but we also saw samples fresh from the elevators and fields awaiting analysis for the USW annual Crop Quality Report.” The trip’s northern leg, which included Montana, put an emphasis on highlighting the supply chain with tours of farms, grain elevators, the Montana State Grain Laboratory, Pasta Montana, General Mills and Columbia Grain. They also had several opportunities to meet directly with growers. To top off their experience, the team traveled to Destrehan, LA, to visit a FGIS field office and a Bunge export elevator; and to Reserve, LA, to visit Cargill’s Terre Haute Marine Facility. “Gulf exports account for roughly 45 percent of all U.S. wheat export volume, and have their own, unique challenges and opportunities,” said BryantErdmann. “While the Pacific Northwest handles a similar quantity of exports, the Gulf climate, origination logistics, classes of wheat and customers ensure it is an entirely different animal. This was a great experience to share with the team.”

Korean Wheat Crop Survey Team Taking Annual U.S. Tour Three executives representing Korean flour milling companies will travel through the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Aug. 7 to 14, for a more in-depth look at crop production and quality of soft white (SW), hard red spring (HRS) and HRW wheat. Their visit, which includes stops in Montana, Washington and Oregon, will give them the opportunity to meet with growers, breeders and exporters. “These milling companies hold purchasing tenders for milling wheat that supply all eight mills in Korea,” said USW Country Director Chang Yoon Kang, who is leading the team. “Each of these managers have a key role in making decisions about wheat origin, class, purchase contract specifications and wheat procurement policies. It is vital that they receive timely and reliable information on the crop situation.” With funding from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, USW collaborated with the Montana Wheat & Barley Committee (MWBC), Washington Grain Commission (WGC) and Oregon Wheat Commission (OWC) to organize and host this trade team. In calendar year 2015, South Korea imported 2.37 MMT of wheat, including 1.10 MMT U.S. SW, HRS and HRW wheat sourced from PNW and northern plains fields. While Korean millers import most of their wheat from the United States, Canadian spring wheat is also imported to blend with U.S. classes for bread flour. Australian white wheat is preferred for Korean style noodles, Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 25


but USW is working to flank that market by helping its customers introduce whole wheat products made with flour from U.S. wheat as a healthy noodle choice. The team will start its visit in Great Falls, MT, to visit a Columbia Grain elevator and the State Grain Lab. They will also tour O’Hara Farms in Fort Benton, MT, and have dinner with MWBC commissioners. In Pullman and Spokane, WA, the team will meet with Washington State University breeders and tour the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Western Wheat Quality lab, as well as go on a tour of the HighLine Grain shuttle facility. The final leg of the trip will be to Portland, OR, where the team will learn more about the PNW supply chain from staff at the USW West Coast Office, Wheat Marketing Center, Oregon Wheat Commission, Pacific Grain Exporters Association and FGIS. The team will round out their trip with a farm tour in the Willamette Valley. “The Korean consumer is sophisticated and demands a wide range of high-quality wheat products that compete effectively with more traditional rice products. Korea has grown into a very important market for U.S. wheat producers because they buy our premium wheat classes and are willing to pay more to extract that quality from our market,” said USW Vice President and West Coast Office Director Steve Wirsching. “This trade team provides a way for the millers to learn more about the upcoming harvest so they can do a better job of originating the best quality we have to offer.” 26

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

Wheat Industry News Condolences. USW colleagues were saddened to learn that USW Vice President of Finance Kevin McGarry’s father passed away last week. Our thoughts are with Kevin and his family. Annual Crop Quality Survey. Together with its partner organizations across the United States, USW will test more than 2,000 samples of wheat this year for its annual Crop Quality survey. The preliminary results are reported every Friday in the USW Harvest Report, and the final results are published in the Crop Quality report at the end of October. Please contact your local USW representative for more information about the USW Crop Quality survey, report or seminars. Grain Foods Foundation Study Finds Good Diet, Health for Grains Eaters. A recent study funded by the Grain Foods Foundation and published in July in Food and Nutrition Sciences found that compared to people who avoid eating grain-based foods, people who eat grain foods are generally healthier. Based on the findings, the researchers suggested nutritionists in often lumping grain-based foods in two broad categories — whole grains and refined grains — may be painting with too broad a brush. Read the full article at http://bit. ly/2aswQZd. IGP Institute Names Shawn Thiele as Flour Milling and Grain Processing Curriculum Manager. In this role, Thiele will develop and teach the core milling and processing courses at the IGP Institute. He will also oversee the creation and presentation

of workshops, on-site courses, distance education courses and other technical outreach programs to enhance the market promotion, consumption and utilization of U.S. cereal grains, oilseeds and their value-added products for the global grain and feed industry. Before stepping into this position, Thiele was the operations manager at the KSU Hal Ross Flour Mill for more than three years. For the full announcement visit www.grains. ksu.edu/igp.

August 25, 2016 Milling Quality Wheat Supply Much Smaller than Meets the Eye By Stephanie Bryant-Erdmann, USW Market Analyst By all accounts, European wheat farmers are having a very challenging year, with yields and quality badly hurt by untimely rain. Not to worry, say many market watchers, the large global supply and reports of record yields in Russia will offset the European decline. While total supply gets the most attention, wheat’s real value is as a functional food ingredient, not as a bulk commodity. When you dig a bit deeper, the total supply of milling quality wheat is much different ― and it is tightening. In the European Union (EU), Strategie Grains (SG) forecasts soft wheat milling output at 66 percent of total 2016/17 production, compared to 71 percent in 2015/16. USDA estimates the EU carried in 15.7 million metric tons (MMT) of wheat and will produce 147 MMT of wheat in 2016/17. This puts total supply at an estimated


163 MMT, down 5 percent from 2015/16. With the smaller total supply combined with the lower milling output percentage, SG expects the EU soft wheat milling supply to equal 91.4 MMT. If realized, this would be 15 percent or 16.6 MMT less than in 2015/16 when the EU soft wheat milling supply totaled 108 MMT. Russian wheat yields this year are definitely up. On Aug. 8, UkrAgroConsult estimated Russian yields were up 5 percent from 2015/16 at 2.42 metric tons per hectare (MT/ha). However, as farmers and market participants know, large yield potential often comes with lower protein content. SG estimates Russian milling wheat output will fall to 69 percent of total 2016/17 production, down from 73 percent in 2015/16. SG’s Russian 2016/17 wheat production estimate of 69.7 MMT would put total milling supply at 48.1 MMT, up 4.0 MMT from 2015/16. Still, the expected increase in Russian milling supply will only offset one-quarter of the 16.6 MMT decrease in European milling supply. Despite significant planted area reductions, Canada, the United States and Ukraine all expect to have large or record large crops. StatsCan forecast Canadian spring wheat production at 20.2 MMT on Aug. 23. The forecast is in line with 2015/16 production despite a 9 percent reduction in planted area last spring. U.S. spring wheat farmers also planted 9 percent fewer acres this year, but improved yield potential is expected to partially offset that so USDA pegs U.S. spring wheat production at 14.4 MMT, down 6 percent year over year.

Yet these high-yielding crops are not without their own challenges. Preliminary harvest data from USW, UkrAgroConsult and SG indicate winter wheat protein levels are down in the United States, Russia, Ukraine and the EU. Additionally, wet conditions are affecting the Canadian and some portions of the U.S. spring wheat harvest. So, while the yields are expected to be large, final quality results are not yet established. In order to meet world wheat food demand, at least 60 percent of the global supply needs to be milling quality. The large U.S. carry-in stocks, which can either be used for blending or independently to meet customer requirements, provide buyers with some level of protection. However, that protection has a price. With prices at or below the cost of production, many U.S. farmers are storing their highest protein wheat instead of selling it. This is a strategy other farmers are following. UkrAgroConsult recently noted farmer storage of higher protein wheat is also increasing across Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Customers should keep an eye on the milling output percentages and harvest quality reports (the latest USW Harvest report is available at http://www.uswheat. org/harvest) and take the opportunity to secure their needs before the market begins to adjust to the tightening supply of milling quality wheat. Your local USW representative is available to answer any questions about the current U.S. harvest, the U.S. marketing system or U.S. wheat quality.

Welcome Progress on TransPacific Partnership By Dalton Henry, Vice President of Policy By submitting the draft “Statement of Administrative Action” (SAA) to the U.S. Congress on Aug. 12, 2016, the U.S. Trade Representative moved one-step closer to final consideration of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The SAA describes actions necessary to implement the provisions of TPP and contains details about how U.S. law would need to change to adopt TPP. Submission is required under the terms of the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill passed in 2015 before Congress can consider the agreement. Under TPA, the President has authority to conclude trade agreements and submit them to Congress for an up or down vote. This pre-empts legislative amendments from derailing the careful balance struck in trade agreement negotiations. Less well-known TPA provisions give Congress an opportunity to establish priorities in negotiations, specify necessary reports and provide timelines for consideration of agreements. TPA states that a draft SAA must be submitted to Congress at least 30 days prior to submission of the draft legislation that implements a trade agreement, setting up a potential vote on TPP this fall. To continue compliance with TPA, the U.S. Trade Representative must still produce three reports detailing the agreement’s impact on key areas such as the environment, labor laws and U.S. employment, and then work with Congress to Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 27


submit the draft implementing bill for a vote. As work continues to address congressional concerns about the agreement that are predominately related to non-agricultural issues, the Administration has not yet signaled when the implementing bill will be ready. President Obama maintains that final consideration and approval of TPP can and should be accomplished this year, despite increasingly negative rhetoric on trade coming from the U.S. presidential campaigns. TPP and the Asian and Latin American markets it affects are also key priorities for the wheat industry. The agreement stands as the only potential answer from the United States to competitors gaining more favorable trade access for their farmers within the Pacific Rim by continuing to negotiate and implement separate trade agreements. The submission of the SAA this month is a step in the right direction for U.S. farmers and their customers who need a wider variety of wheat classes and quality to meet growing demand for new wheat foods. USW Training Partners Help Customers Improve Their Products It is USW’s mission to “develop, maintain and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” Through technical training and trade servicing, USW works sideby-side with its customers to help them successfully understand and apply the quality, value and reliability of U.S. wheat to improve or expand their products. USW often turns to its partner 28

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

educational institutions to connect customers with those leading their fields in research, education and training. “Courses offered by our educational partners directly help build the confidence that customers have in U.S. wheat,” said USW Country Director CY Kang from the USW Seoul Office. “Each program takes a hands-on learning approach, addressing real challenges with solutions that optimize the value of U.S. wheat while prioritizing the customers’ needs.” The Wheat Marketing Center (WMC) in Portland, OR, conducts wheat utilization research and offers courses to educate the wheat industry on end-use quality characteristics. Recently, a USW sponsored team of three customers representing two of the largest cookie and cracker manufacturers and a major flour mill in Korea traveled to the WMC for a technical training and product development course. Led by Kang and Bakery Technologist David Oh, the team’s objective was to find the best formulations for blending whole wheat and refined flour to produce the most desirable soft chocolate cookie and various types of crackers. The team also wanted to learn about how different protein levels of soft white (SW) wheat affected end product quality. The team first focused on analyzing several formulas and different combinations of SW whole wheat and refined SW flour at various protein levels in biscuits (cookies). Their preferred combination was an equal blend of whole wheat and refined flour and they did not identify any

quality differences between 10.5, 11 and 11.5 percent protein levels for the SW flour. In between batches of cookies and lectures, the team tested different flour formulations for both enzyme and soda crackers using the WMC’s pilot scale cracker line. Their preferred enzyme cracker combined flour made from 70 percent refined SW flour and 30 percent whole wheat SW flour, while the preferred soda cracker was made from 55 percent refined SW flour, 15 percent refined hard red winter (HRW) flour, and 30 percent whole wheat SW flour. WMC conducted its first whole grain product baking short course with USW for Korean millers and bakers in 2009. As a result, the Korean flour milling and food processing industries have actively introduced whole grain products to consumers in recent years. “The success of the latest whole wheat cookie and cracker development short course proves U.S. wheat is capable of producing high quality wholewheat products and helps expand whole grain food market in Korea by introducing new varieties with good nutrition and taste,” said WMC Technical Director Dr. Gary Hou, who directed the course. WMC faculty member Dr. Meera Kweon, formerly of Kraft Foods, Pepperidge Farm and the USDA Agricultural Research Service, assisted Hou. At Kansas State University (KSU), the IGP Institute offers innovative technical programs to enhance market preference, consumption and utilization of U.S. wheat. Nine millers from Nigeria and South Africa


attended a recent USW sponsored course focused on the U.S. grain inspection system, flour and dough testing, and milling systems and mill performance. Participants performed handson exercises in the milling and baking labs and the KSU Hal Ross Flour Mill, then toured a grain elevator and wheat farm during harvest for real-world perspective. In step with USW’s other partners, the Northern Crops Institute (NCI), located on campus at North Dakota State University (NDSU), supports regional agriculture and value added processing by conducting educational and technical programs that expand and maintain domestic and international markets for crops grown in the northern United States. Seventeen participants from eleven countries in Africa and Latin America recently attended the USW sponsored “Utilization of Wheat Classes in Pasta Production” course. The focus was on physical and rheological testing, commercial pasta production, quality assurance and hands-on pilot pasta processing. USW Technical Specialist Marcelo Mitre from the USW Mexico City Office and Regional Program Coordinator Domenique De Oliveira Opperman from the USW Cape Town Office led this team. These are a few examples of the educational opportunities offered by USW’s partners, who also receive support from the state wheat commissions and other wheat industry partners. For more information on these programs and the courses they offer, please visit www.wmcinc.org; www. grains.k-state.edu/igp/; and http:// www.northern-crops.com/.

Quality is Generally Better in the 2016 SRW Crop The new USW 2016 Soft Red Winter (SRW) Quality Survey Report is now posted online at www.uswheat.org/cropQuality. To complete the report, Great Plains Analytical Laboratory in Kansas City, MO, collected and analyzed 484 samples from 18 reporting areas in the nine states that typically account for 60 to 70 percent of total SRW production. USW and the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service fund the annual survey. Wheat farmers responded to market signals and planted significantly less area to SRW for the 2016/17 crop, followed by a mild winter and adequate moisture that kept production up slightly compared to last year, but still below the 5-year average. The analysis shows good overall quality in SRW available from the Gulf this year, while the East Coast had growing condition issues that resulted in lower test weights in many areas. Some Midwestern states such as Ohio had excellent yields and test weights. Sprouting is generally absent this year, and the vast majority of samples had falling number (FN) values above 300 seconds. There should be no problem meeting 2 ppm DON specifications and countries that require even lower limits may find it this year from the Gulf region. This final report includes higher test weight averages as well as significant changes in other averages compared to those published in USW’s weekly Harvest Report. That is because final crop average SRW values are weighted for production while the weekly report values are not.

Some areas with unusually low test weights this year also had relatively low production and areas with higher test weights had relatively high production. As a result, production weighting magnified the differences between the SRW averages reported in the 2016 weekly Harvest Reports and the final 2016 SRW Quality Survey Report. The overall average 2016 SRW grade is U.S. No. 2. The overall weighted average test weight is 58.6 lb/bu, similar to the 5-year average and well above the 56.9 lb/bu average of 2015, but again with significant variation between East Coast (59.3) and Gulf Port (56.0) averages. Overall protein, dockage and moisture averages are all lower than last year and the 5-year averages. Average wheat protein content of 9.4 percent (12 percent moisture basis) is below last year and the 5-year average. The Gulf Port protein average of 9.1 percent is well below previous values, while the East Coast average of 10.4 percent is above 2015 and the 5-year average. Sedimentation and wet gluten values show similar regional variation. The overall DON average of 0.6 ppm is well below the 2015 value of 2.2 ppm and the 5-year average of 1.4 ppm, indicating that the crop that was sampled is relatively free of DON. A summary of flour and baking data shows Buhler laboratory mill flour extraction averages are below the 5-year averages overall and for both East Coast and Gulf Port states. Farinograph peak, stability and absorption values are all similar to the 5-year averages. Alveograph P values are similar to the 5-year averages, and the L and W values are all higher than Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 29


the 5-year averages. The overall and Gulf Port cookie spread ratios are higher than last year and the 5-year average while the East Coast ratio is similar to past values. Overall Gulf Port and East Coast average loaf volumes are all above last year and the 5-year averages. Buyers are encouraged to construct specifications carefully to be sure that they receive qualities that meet their needs either for traditional soft wheat products or for blending with higher protein wheat. USW will share complete data for all classes of U.S. wheat with hundreds of overseas customers at several upcoming events, including USW's annual Crop Quality Seminars, and in its annual Crop Quality Report. USW Bringing Indonesian Milling Executives to Experience U.S. Wheat Supply System Three top-level executives from Indonesia’s largest flour milling company are currently in the United States with USW to learn how they can select and efficiently import different classes of U.S. wheat. The millers work for Bogasari, which operates four separate flour mills in Indonesia. These managers in quality and product development, production planning and finance will see and hear how U.S. HRS, HRW and SW wheat can help them meet the needs of their growing market. Funding for this trade team visit comes from USDA through its Foreign Agricultural Service export market development programs and from in-kind contributions from Idaho 30

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

Washington, Oregon and the Wheat Marketing Center. “We have had success demonstrating to Indonesian mills the processing advantages of flour made from U.S. hard red spring and winter wheat for bread products,” said USW Regional Vice President Matt Weimar, who is leading the Bogasari team. “We are also promoting soft white for superior performance in cakes, cookies and other soft wheat products. This visit supports those strategies very well.” The team started its visit in Fargo, ND, with the North Dakota Wheat Commission, North Dakota State University and Northern Crops Institute focusing on the advantages of HRS and the on-going work to improve functional performance. Next was a visit to Greg Svenningsen’s farm in Valley City, ND, and a country elevator owned by Columbia Grain before the team flew west to Portland. The visit there and then travel to eastern Washington and northern Idaho will provide a complete picture of the U.S. Pacific Northwest wheat supply system and a detailed look at SW advantages. “With U.S. wheat having been at a price disadvantage compared to Canadian wheat the last couple years and with Australia’s strong influence with Indonesia nearby, it is important to bring top-level managers from a large mill like Bogasari that has a majority market share to the United States to put a face on our advantages,” said Weimar. “It makes a difference when the buyer meets the breeders, farmers and grain handlers who actually make U.S. wheat the world’s most reliable supply.”

Wheat Industry News Annual Crop Quality Survey. Together with its partner organizations across the United States, USW is testing more than 2,000 samples of wheat this year for its annual Crop Quality survey. The preliminary results are reported every Friday in the USW Harvest Report, and the final results for all classes are published in a Crop Quality report near the end of October. Please contact your local USW representative for more information about the USW Crop Quality survey, report or seminars. Researchers Discover a Special Power in Wheat. A new photosynthesis discovery at The University of Queensland may help breed faster-growing wheat crops that are better adapted to hotter, drier climates. A research team led by Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation Professor Robert Henry has published a paper in Scientific Reports showing that photosynthesis occurs in wheat seeds as well as in plant leaves. “This discovery turns half a century of plant biology on its head,” said Professor Henry. Read the full story at http://agfax. com/2016/08/18/researchersdiscover-a-special-power-inwheat/. Dr. Brett Carver of Oklahoma State University has been named the 2016 recipient of the National Association of Plant Breeders’ Plant Breeding Impact Award. The national award recognizes an individual responsible for significant advancements in the field of plant breeding, specifically in the area of germplasm or technology development, who has demonstrated a measurable impact on crop production.


Maltby Market Analysis by Dan Maltby

Hello Kansas Wheat.

In “The Jerk” (a movie from 1979…), Steve Martin buys a newspaper, reads the front page headlines, and immediately throws the newspaper in the trash disgustedly. A guy could build a pretty good case for doing the same thing with this letter after looking at the futures table weekly closes, as almost EVERY WEEKLY CLOSE IS in RED (a new 11-week closing low) which of course meant MORE fund selling. CLOSE

KWU16

KWZ16

KWN17

CU16

CZ16

CN17

WU16

MWU16

MWZ16

SX16

08/26

$3.90

$4.17

$4.43

$3.16

$3.25

$3.49

$3.84

$4.93

$4.93

$9.67

08/19

$4.19

$4.45

$4.80

$3.34

$3.44

$3.67

$4.27

$5.31

$5.27

$10.04

08/12

$4.16

$4.42

$4.78

$3.22

$3.33

$3.57

$4.23

$5.14

$5.16

$9.82

08/05

$4.12

$4.37

$4.74

$3.24

$3.34

$3.58

$4.16

$4.95

$5.05

$9.75

07/29

$4.10

$4.36

$4.73

$3.35

$3.43

$3.63

$4.08

$4.88

$5.04

$10.03

07/22

$4.19

$4.45

$4.83

$3.35

$3.42

$3.63

$4.25

$4.95

$5.11

$9.88

07/15

$4.14

$4.40

$4.78

$3.52

$3.58

$3.74

$4.25

$4.97

$5.12

$10.57

07/08

$4.21

$4.46

$4.82

$3.55

$3.63

$3.76

$4.35

$5.01

$5.16

$10.58

07/01

$4.12

$4.36

$4.73

$3.60

$3.67

$3.86

$4.30

$5.00

$5.16

$11.38

06/24

$4.41

$4.57

$5.03

$3.89

$3.94

$4.09

$4.65

$5.27

$5.42

$10.79

06/17

$4.79

$5.03

$5.37

$4.43

$4.49

$4.55

$4.95

$5.49

$5.62

$11.48

06/11

$4.86

$5.10

$5.44

$4.28

$4.31

$4.41

$5.07

$5.47

$5.62

$11.63

Charts and discussions follow, with the goal of giving you useful information to help you with your business. My disclaimer remains the same: these are my sometimes rapidly changing opinions; the markets are quite treacherous; and past performance is no guarantee…dm Kansas Wheat market update #235 danmaltby.riskmgmt@gmail.com 08/26/16 pg. 1

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 31


Last week I wrote “We’re either going to blow thru this resistance and get on with the 50c rally I’ve been writing about, OR…we’re going to fail miserably at this level, again. You could say the same thing about corn ($3.42, $3.43, $3.44…) and beans ($10.04 and $10.03…)” The grain markets uniformly failed miserably. Wheat, corn and beans. Funds are short. They added to their short positions on the new lows. It’s what they do.

Last Monday, a friend asked me: Should I sell cash wheat and buy back on the board? Which month should I buy back? I replied: If you need to sell some wheat, for any number of valid reasons, or you need to move it to make room for something else, or a guy needs some cash, or etc ...then do it. Sell it. And be patient about getting long. The market went on to drop a nickel that Monday, and another 24c by the end of the week. Brutal. The question about buying back the board…well, let’s be blunt. He’s really asking me …”is it a good time to speculate on wheat futures by buying some?” (some more, if he already has unsold newly harvested wheat in the bin or bag, on the farm or in town at an elevator, or will be planting new-crop in a month or so…) This KC Dec wheat chart is NOT showing any buy signals to a relatively long-term speculative buyer. If anything, it is showing sell-signals to a speculative SELLER, has it has for approximately the last 4 years.

The red line is $4.36, a key weekly closing low from the table shown on page 1. The purple line is the 200-day moving average. Exports are on a good pace, and feed demand exists, so an end-user has reasons to extend coverage. But a speculator who wants to play from the long side…not yet. Kansas Wheat market update #235 danmaltby.riskmgmt@gmail.com 08/26/16 pg. 2

32

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016


The following weekly continuous KC wheat chart continues to reward sellers.

By definition, being patient guarantees one will not buy the exact bottom. But he will sleep better …

Dec corn closed poorly…

Whether or not the USA corn crop will average 175 bu nationally is debatable, but it is indeed going to be quite large. The ProFarmer Tour estimated the national yield at 170 bu/ac, compared to USDA’s 175, and a total crop of 14.7 billion instead of the USDA’s 15.1 billion, but I doubt that is going to make the Funds suddenly buy in their short corn positions.

Similarly, soybeans act like harvest is coming…

Kansas Wheat market update #235 danmaltby.riskmgmt@gmail.com 08/26/16 pg. 3

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 33


The Chinese will of course buy every bean they can get their hands on, but that does not prevent prices from moving lower when the sell algorithms kick in. Anyway‌wheat bids are posted much lower, fall feed grain harvest is coming, and winter wheat planting season will be here before we know it. Hmm. Will assume the buy-signals will come later too.

Date 08/19 08/19 08/12 08/05 Date 08/19 08/19 08/12 08/05 BASIS 08/19 08/19 08/12 08/05 Date 08/19 08/19 08/12 08/05

Dodge $2.70 $2.99 $2.96 $2.92 Concordia $2.90 $3.19 $3.16 $3.12 Dodge -120 -120 -120 -120 Concordia -100 -100 -100 -100

Colby $2.75 $3.01 $2.93 $2.89 Salina $3.00-$3.05 $3.29-$3.34 $3.26-$3.31 $3.22-$3.27 Colby -115 -118 -123 -123 Salina -90, -85 -90, -85 -90, -85 -90, -85

Goodland $2.70 $2.99 $2.86 $2.82 Hutchinson $2.81-$3.10 $3.10-$3.39 $3.07-$3.36 $3.03-$3.32 Goodland -120 -120 -130 -130 Hutchinson -109, -80 -109, -80 -109, -80 -109, -80

Protection $2.70 $2.99 $2.96 $2.92 Wichita $2.88-$3.05 $3.17-$3.34 $3.14-$3.31 $3.10-$3.27 Protection -120 -120 -120 -120 Wichita -102, -85 -102, -85 -102, -85 -102, -85

Scott City $2.68 $2.97 $2.94 $2.90 Ark City $2.80 $3.09 $3.06 $3.02 Scott City -122 -122 -122 -122 Ark City -110 -110 -110 -110

Kansas Wheat market update #235 danmaltby.riskmgmt@gmail.com 08/26/16 pg. 4

34

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016

Sublette $2.80-$2.80 $3.09-$3.09 $3.06-$3.06 $2.95-$3.02

Sublette -110, -110 -110, -110 -110, -110 -117, -110


The average bid in Western Kansas is $2.73/bu and $2.97/bu at the Central Kansas Terminals. These are the lowest Friday wheat bids in 10 years. I read that farmers in KS, CO, OK, TX and NE have placed157.1 million bushels of wheat under loan and have collected loan deficiency payments. Cash flow is key to staying afloat. Besides low prices, farming is more difficult all the time for other reasons. WE have read of recent flour recalls due to health concerns. This article from Sunday’s (8/28/16) StarTribune headlined as “Tainted flour stirs up new food-safety fears” … ends with this ominous paragraph “The agency (FDA) has yet to release evidence that it has pinpointed a field or supplier where the E. coli originated.” Note the “has yet to pinpoint a field.” Pinpoint A field. Wow. Here’s the link to the whole article. http://www.startribune.com/e-coli-outbreak-in-general-mills-flour-stirs-up-new-worries-forfood/391503881/

Food safety issues, AND labeling issues…keep food companies awake at night. This article says a company was sued because they used the word “natural” on a label, and the grain (oats in this case…) was found to contain .45 parts per million (less than half of 1 part per million…) of glyphosate. The EPA recommends a maximum of 30 parts per million. Obviously .45 ppm is much less than 30 ppm, but… Unfortunately, I doubt this issue has played out completely either. Here’s the link… ½ of 1 part per million… http://www.startribune.com/consumer-groups-sue-general-mills-over-granola-bar-label/391465581/

Wow, again.

A couple of years ago I spoke at a conference and talked about “alternative crops”. Apparently kale and quinoa are now passé, and according to this article from The San Jose Mercury News, the next big crop is…crickets. http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_30242577/bugs-breakfast-silicon-valley-techies-chowdown-crickets Hmm. I wonder What the EPA or USDA or FDA says is the allowable insect parts per million in…insect flour? Triple wow. Remind me not to get into farming. Kansas Wheat market update #235 danmaltby.riskmgmt@gmail.com 08/26/16 pg. 5

Rediscover WHE AT | SEPTEMBER 2016 35


Upcoming Events SEPTEMBER 2016 • Kansas State Fair, September 8-17, 2016. Stop by and visit us in the Pride of Kansas building. OCTOBER 2016 • Entries accepted for the National Festival of Breads baking contest, October 1, 2016 - January 16, 2017, www.nationalfestivalofbreads.com • 2016 Home Baking Association Annual Membership Meeting, October 2-4, 2016, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

NOVEMBER 2016 • 2016 Fall Joint Board Meeting USW & NAWG, November 2-5, 2016, Denver, Colorado. FEBRUARY 2017 • Her AgriCULTURE Story: Change, Adapt, Grow. Women Managing the Farm conference, February 9-10, 2017, Manhattan, Kansas, womenmanagingthefarm.info JUNE 2017 • National Festival of Breads baking contest, Manhattan, Kansas.


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.