Last year’s good crop provided the Oregon Wheat Commission with a “much more substantial source of revenue to work with” in adopting its budget for the coming year, its CEO says.

The commission’s expenditures will be $2.6 million, drawing on the 2022 crop year and a  “strong carryforward” to make investments in key programs, CEO Amanda Hoey said.

The commission in 2022 generated revenue of slightly more than $2.5 million, Hoey said.

The commission has $4.2 million in reserves, she said.

Revenue from the 2022 crop was significantly higher than that from the 2021 crop, which was throttled by drought.

Growers pay an assessment of 5 cents per bushel of wheat and $1 per ton of barley.

Hoey said she’s “excited” the board dedicated up to $250,000 for an Oregon State University endowment focused on cereal grain pathology.

“That’s really looking toward the longer-term future for the industry,” she said. “The commission has been focused on directing, when we have the opportunity, some of those resources to strengthen our industry.”

The board also allocated funds to purchase new equipment for the Wheat Marketing Center in Portland, including a solvent retention capacity shaker. The SRC tests flour for polymers such as gluten, damaged starch and pentosans, which can cause problems in wet milling.

Without the equipment, the center conducts the shaking for SRC tests by hand, Hoey said. The new shaker will provide standardization, save time and “wear and tear” on center staff, she said.

The new equipment will arrive in time for the next crop sampling year, she said.

The commission also increased resources for marketing with U.S. Wheat Associates and increased travel for engaging with trade teams and overseas markets. 

The commission’s fiscal year begins July 1.