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News from the Minnesota Association of Wheat |
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CLINTON'S THOUGHTS ON REMOVING SANCTIONS ON FOOD AND MEDICINE TO CUBA
U.S. WHEAT ASSOCIATES INSTALLS MN PRODUCER AS 2000-01 CHAIR The newly installed officers offer a wealth of experience as USW works to expand the export market for U.S. wheat. In addition to his experience in various wheat
organizations through the years, Hamnes has worked with the University of Minnesota as advisor to overseas agricultural projects, and Von Tungeln has traveled extensively to Europe, Africa and Latin America on behalf of
wheat growers to promote wheat and wheat trade. McDonald has extensive experience in the grain industry at the county, state and national levels. "Maintaining and increasing the export market for U.S. wheat
is absolutely essential, since we need to export almost half of the wheat grown in the U.S. every year," said Hamnes. "We have a global market share of around 28%, making us the world's largest wheat exporter,
but we face increasingly stiff competition from Canada, Australia, the European Union and Argentina. Our Board of Directors, together with staff working in every major overseas wheat market, are privileged to have the
support of America's wheat growers as we meet those challenges head-on." U.S. Wheat Associates is the industry's export market development organization, working in over 100 countries on behalf of wheat producers
in 19 states. For more information contact,Dawn Forsythe, 202-463-0999
U.S. PROPOSES SWEEPING REFORMS ON FARM TRADE ISSUES The proposal, which will be formally presented to the World Trade Organization on Friday, would allow U.S. farmers to "sell their commodities in every corner of the earth without being undercut by
subsidized competition or blocked by high tariffs," U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said. It would help developing countries expand their farm exports by requiring the European Union and other developed
countries to curb programs that encourage surplus production, U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky said. At the same time, the proposal also "recognizes the appropriate role governments can
play in supporting farmers and rural economies, as long as they do not do so at the expense of people on the land elsewhere in the world," she said
WORLD WHEAT PRODUCTION ESTIMATES MOVE DOWNWARD Statistics Canada also
issued, on Thursday, their forecast for 2000-01 Canadian wheat acreage. Newswire sources report Statistics Canada estimates 2000-01 Canadian spring wheat acreage at 19.87 MA (8.04 MH), down 3% from their 1999-00
forecast of 20.47 MA (8.28 MH). In addition, the commodity group also pegged 2000-01 Canadian winter wheat acreage at 992 TA (401 TH), 5% higher than their 1999-00 estimate of 937 TA (379 TH). Finally,
Statistics Canada forecast 2000-01 Canadian durum wheat acreage at 6.45 MA (2.61 MH), up nearly 47% from their 1999-00 figure of 4.39 MA (1.78 MH).
US WHEAT INDUSTRY CALLS FOR IDENTITY PRESERVATION SYSTEM PRIOR TO COMMERCIALIZATION OF GM WHEAT At their annual summer meeting this week, the USW Board of Directors formally adopted a biotechnology policy that states "the U.S.
wheat industry commits itself absolutely to the principle that our customers' needs and preferences are the most important consideration." Although genetically modified wheat will not be commercialized before 2003
and available for farmer production for a year or two after that, the USW Board of Directors recognized that, even at this early point, there are some overseas customers who have already informed the wheat industry that
they only want to purchase traditional wheat. "85% of Idaho's wheat goes to overseas markets," said Heidi Linehan, wheat grower and USW board member from Idaho, "and it is absolutely essential to listen
to our overseas customers and heed what they say." "We are very sensitive to the concerns of these customers," explained Darrell Hanavan, chairman of USW's biotechnology committee and Executive
Director of the Colorado wheat producers organizations. "We intend to work with all segments of the industry -- the technology providers, producer representatives, country elevators, and exporters -- to develop a
viable identity preservation system that will ensure that our customers continue to get the specific wheat traits they want." Hanavan explained that he and others were working with technology providers, and that
the companies were keenly aware of concerns for the export market in countries where there is consumer resistance to genetically modified food. To address those concerns, the USW board strongly urged the biotechnology
companies to "ensure customer acceptance prior to commercialization" of wheat developed using biotechnology. USW also committed itself to assuring that a testing and certification program is instituted before
genetically modified wheat is commercialized. "We have an obligation to our customers and to wheat producers to establish these programs," Hanavan said. To better ascertain what further advances in
biotechnology can do to develop wheat traits that are needed by customers, the USW Board position indicates that the wheat industry wants to explore some possible venues for technical sessions with interested overseas
customers. "We have some customers overseas who have told us that they see that biotechnology provides advantages for growers," explains Mark Samson, vice president in USW's Asian region. "But they are
asking what biotechnology is going to do to benefit the millers and consumers of U.S. wheat. We need those answers." The Board also adopted a definition of "biotechnology-derived products" that they
will use to encourage international harmonization of definitions, standards and trade rules. U.S. Wheat Associates is the industry's export market development organization working in over 100 countries, supported by
wheat growers in 19 states. Nearly half of the wheat grown in the U.S. is destined for the export market. For more information call:
THE MARKET ADVISOR: BASIS IMPLICATIONS FOR MARKETING DECISIONS Basis levels for spring wheat, corn and soybeans in
North Dakota are approximating basis levels during calendar years 1998 and 1999. What are the implications for marketing decisions if 1999 basis patterns are repeated? The analysis that follows is based on monthly
averages of the nearby basis at three North Dakota locations: Hunter, Gladstone and Minot. Read more at
REGISTRATION GRANTED FOR RONILAN ON CANOLA
Ronilan has consistently provided excellent Sclerotinia management at the 12 oz/A rate. I would suggest that the 12 oz rate be
used in most situations. A higher rate, such as 14 oz, might be considered under extreme conditions such as high yield potential (over 2,000 lb/A, especially if the potential is 3,000 lb/A) and high disease
potential. High disease potential situations include a field that had severe Sclerotinia in that or nearby fields in recent years, a heavy crop canopy, and 4-5 inches of rain in the past 2 weeks. Ronilan was
being stockpiled in the area even before the section 3 was granted. Consequently, the Ronilan in warehouses does not contain the supplemental label for canola. Growers and applicators who use Ronilan will
need the supplemental label. The supplemental label is available on the website of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture: Art Lamey |
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