U.S. Wheat works to provide more data to growers

By MATTHEW WEAVER

Capital Press

U.S. Wheat Associates wants to tell more growers how the organization works to develop export markets.

The organization has added a new section to its website that includes reports on export market development activities, an annual report for the 2010-11 marketing year and information about promotions and federal programs.

Randy Suess, chair of U.S. Wheat and a Colfax, Wash., wheat farmer, said the information helps the association alert growers to its efforts.

"U.S. Wheat does all this fantastic work out there, and yet the majority of farmers probably couldn't tell you anything about U.S. Wheat," he said.

Farmer assessment dollars fund part of U.S. Wheat's activities, with the rest coming from USDA matching funds, Suess said.

U.S. wheat customers can also access the information, Suess said.

"Anything we can do to sell more wheat around the world is always going to be a positive thing," he said.

The report features:

* An overview of how the organization responded to opportunities to increase exports.

* A summary of trade activities.

* Success stories demonstrating how export promotion helps increase farm gate wheat prices.

* Information about the public-private partnership between wheat growers and export market development programs administered by the USDA.

Suess recently returned from an International Association of Operative Millers conference for flour millers in Africa and the Middle East. Suess pointed to the U.S.' quality, competitive pricing and contract integrity.

Suess predicts U.S. Wheat's next efforts will involve competing against cheaper wheat from Russia and an above-average Australian crop.

"There's going to be an abundance of wheat out there," Suess said. "Our job is going to be to show what we have available and really promote it around the world."

Online

www.uswheat.org/reports/activities