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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association

The top U.S. wheat buyer was Egypt, followed by Japan, China, Philippines, Pakistan, Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka. U.S. wheat exports in the 1995-96 marketing year (June-May) totaled about 1.25 billion bushels, slightly more than 1994-95. The top five U.S. hard red spring wheat buyers in 95-96 were the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, Venezuela, and Indonesia.

LARGER DEMAND FOR U.S. FEED GRAINS

1995-96 will go down in the record books as one of the most important years in feed grains export history, according to the U.S. Feed Grains Council. While domestic demand for feed grains at 7.3 billion bu. came in at the same level it was two years ago, exports have soared from 1.6 billion bu. in 1993 to over 2.5 billion bu. worldwide.

$750 AWARDS FOR YOUNG WHEAT GROWERS

Young wheat growers are invited to apply for scholarships to defray the cost of attending either the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) Convention, Jan. 15-18, 1997 in Orlando, Florida, or the NAWG Summer Leadership Conference next July in Portland, Oregon.

The scholarships, $750 each and sponsored by the Monsanto Agricultural Products Company and the National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation, are designed to acquaint young wheat farmers with the wheat association’s organizational structure, as well as foster leadership and policy development.

Any wheat farmer in North Dakota, Minnesota, or South Dakota between the ages of 20 and 35, who has not previously won a trip to a NAWG meeting, is eligible to enter. Entries are judged by an unbiased committee, and winners are selected based upon the content of their brief essays to three questions.

To apply, contact Jolene or Lance at the NDGGA (1-800-932-8822) Kris or Marge at the MAWG (1-800-242-6118), or Brenda at SD Wheat Inc, 1-800-WHEATSD. Entry deadline is Nov. 29, 1996.

NAWG CONVENTION JAN 15-18 IN ORLANDO

The NAWG is hoping for a record turnout at its annual convention Jan. 15-18, 1997, in Orlando, Florida, at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Attractions include Disney’s MGM Studios, Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and Disney’s Epcot. But the real focus is reflected by the NAWG convention theme: "It’s No Fantasy, It’s Farming."

NAWG President Chuck Merja says the focus will be on "the dynamics that have produced record-setting wheat prices, tight supplies and increasing world demand. These dynamics will require a close look and perhaps some new approaches for producers and industry partners to growing and marketing next year’s crop. Our challenge at the convention will be to develop NAWG’s first set of resolutions under the new farm bill."

The deadline for registration is Dec. 14. Call your state wheat association (see previous news item for listings) for a NAWG convention packet well ahead of that date.

1996/97 NDWC OFFICERS

1996/97 N.D. Wheat Commission officers and board members are Alan Lee, Berthold, chair; Maynard Satrom, Oriska, vice chair; Sharold Geist, Hazen; Tom DeKrey, Steele; Frank Dilse, Scranton; Larry Lee, Velva; and Willard Pedersen, Northwood.

1996/97 MWRPC OFFICERS

Cliff Keller, Fergus Falls, is serving as the 1996/97 chair of the MN Wheat Research and Promotion Council. Bruce Hamnes, Stephen, is vice chair, and Art Brandli, Warroad, is secretary. Others on the board are Ellsworth Danielson, Fosston; Don Loeslie, Warren; Paul Aasness, Fergus Falls; Charles Swanson, Hallock; and Butch Buschette, Renville.

FARM SAFETY POSTER CONTEST FOR KIDS

The National Association of Wheat Growers Foundation and Communicating for Agriculture are sponsoring a farm safety poster contest for kids between the ages of 5 and 12. Poster must be on 22"x28" poster paper and include the theme, "Farm Safety and Families Go Hand in Hand." In the poster, children should show how they and their families can make work around the farm safer, and why that’s important. First prize is family of four registration to the 1998 NAWG convention in San Diego. Second prize is a $50 savings bond; third prize is a $25 savings bond. For more info and entry deadline, contact your state wheat association.

WHEAT QUALITY COUNCIL: HRS CROP "ONE OF THE BEST EVER"

The 1996 hard red spring wheat crop looks like one of the best ever, according to Ben Handcock, executive vice president of the Wheat Quality Council, Pierre, S.D. He says that the extreme northern areas had some scab problems that seemed to affect durum more than the spring wheat. But overall, he says that "the quality appears to be nearly as good as the production. Test weights are superb, protein is good and milling and baking qualities seem satisfactory or better."

1996 WHEAT AND BARLEY STATS

MN: Spring wheat production was estimated at 100.8 million bushels; over 30 million bu. more than last year. Yield at an avg. 42 bu/A was 10 bu. over the 1995 avg. Barley production at 33.3 million bu. was up 15% from last year. Yield at 64 bu. was up 14 bu. from the 1995 avg. Durum output at 430,000 bu. was up 19% from 1995, and winter wheat production at 1.2 million bu. was up 6%.

ND: Spring wheat production estimated at 313.5 million bu., up 42% from last year. This is the second highest on record, behind 1992. Avg. yield at 33 bu./A was up 6 bu. from last year. Durum production was estimated at 79.4 million bu., up 2% from 1995. Yield avg. was 27 bu./A, same as last year. Barley production was 143 million bu., up 41% from 1995. Yield avg. was 55 bu., up 10 from last year.

SD: The S.D. wheat harvest at 139.27 million bu. was 9% above the previous high of 1990. Spring wheat at 83.25 million bu. was up an incredible 248% from last year’s weather-reduced crop and only 2% below the record set in 1992. Spring wheat yield avg. yield at 37 bu./A is 3 bu. above the previous record set in 1992. Winter wheat production at 55.3 million bu. is down 2% from 1995, but 28% above 1994. The avg. winter wheat yield was 35 bu/A. Barley production was 6.38 million bu., 5% above last year but 51% below 1994. Harvested barley acres in S.D. was the lowest since 1890.

December 1995