Tuesday August 5 Ag News

August Field Days Focus on Switchgrass as Bioenergy Feedstock

            It's not uncommon for farms to have troublesome areas where corn and soybean yields don't quite measure up due to various physical features because of their vulnerability to soil erosion. These underutilized areas and marginal lands might be better suited for establishing perennial bioenergy grasses, especially switchgrass.

            Switchgrass is a hardy, warm season perennial grass that was previously known for its use as a forage crop. However, plant breeders and agronomists have now developed a switchgrass cultivar named "Liberty" that has proven to be a high yielding biomass crop. This renewable, nonfood energy feedstock holds great potential for conversion into a "drop-in fuel" and subsequently lessening dependence on fossil-derived fuels. While switchgrass isn't a new crop, the logistical challenges of harvesting, storing, transporting, and marketing it as a bioenergy feedstock are still being researched.

            Field days on Aug. 19 at Beaver Crossing and Aug. 20 at Dawson will provide information on the agronomics, economics and sustainability of biomass production of switchgrass and other perennial bioenergy grasses.

            The field days are sponsored by CenUSA Bioenergy, a multi-state USDA-sponsored research project, focusing on the use of perennial bioenergy crops in the Midwest.

            CenUSA partners include: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Iowa State University, Purdue University, United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service, University of Illinois, University of Minnesota, University of Vermont and the University of Wisconsin.

            Topics at the field days are: pest and disease management; genetics establishment/ management/economics; harvest/marketing – commercialization/biomass – biofuel conversion process; alternative uses – livestock; and environmental benefits – soil/water/wildlife. The field days will include drill and harvest demonstrations and discussion, as well as the opportunity to see various grass varieties.

            Liberty switchgrass will be featured at the field days. According to UNL Extension Educators, Keith Glewen and John Hay, nearly two decades of research and breeding by the USDA-ARS grass breeding program at UNL has gone into developing this variety. Liberty was developed for the Midwest as a bioenergy crop with a high rate of winter survival combined with high yields.

            There is no fee to attend the field days, but preregistration is encouraged for meal planning purposes. Registration includes complimentary noon lunch, refreshments, and field day materials. Preregister by calling UNL Extension at 402-624-8030 or online at: http://ardc.unl.edu/bioenergyfeedstockfieldday.

            Registration day of program is from 8:45-9:15 a.m. The field days are from 9:15 a.m.-3 p.m.

            Directions to the sites:

            Beaver Crossing – At the 1-80/Goehner exit (exit 373), go 6.5 miles south on County Road 364. Take a left on Yankee Hill Road and go east a one-half mile. Field site is on the north side of road.

            Dawson – Go 2 miles north of Dawson on Highway 75. Turn west on county road 713, go approximately one-half mile. Field site is on the south side of road.

            CenUSA is supported by Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grant no.  2011-68005-30411 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.



Will Changing Forage Resources Shift Nebraska Beef Production Systems?
Gary Stauffer, UNL Extension Educator, Holt/Boyd Counties

By now most in production agriculture are aware of the recent conversion of U.S. grasslands into crop production. In a 2013 publication, Wright and Wimberly estimated that 1.3 million acres of rangeland in the western cornbelt region of ND, SD, NE, MN, and IA have been converted to corn and soybeans during the time period from 2006 to 2011. In Nebraska, the amount of land USDA designates as Principal Crops Area Planted increased from 18,689,000 acres in 2006 to 19,533,000 acres in 2013, an increase of 864,000 acres, or 4.6%. Others can debate if this change should be classified as “good” or “bad”. I can’t tell you if it is good or bad, only that it is different. Therefore, my purpose is to simply point out that land use has changed and the area of traditional grasslands will likely not increase in the foreseeable future.

The cow/calf and stocker cattle segments of the beef industry have been the primary users of Nebraska grasslands for generations. Through time, experience and research, the men and women responsible for managing this dynamic resource have become adept at understanding the interrelationships between cattle, grass, soil, and wildlife associated with grasslands. Now, the combination of reduced acres of grasslands and increased beef prices has strengthened the value of grasslands in Nebraska. The UNL Agricultural Economics Department tracks lease rates for cow/calf producers. Over the past five years the average five-month lease rate in Nebraska has increased from $150/pair to $220/pair, an increase of 47%. Cow numbers have dropped significantly over that same time period, largely due to drought. Now the general sentiment is that cow numbers should increase. But how much expansion can we expect on a shrinking land base? Is the remaining grass too expensive for traditional cow/calf production, and better utilized for stocker cattle? Are there other opportunities that exist in this new environment?

One issue that we believe is a key to expanding the number of cows in Nebraska is optimal use of corn residues. As corn acres and corn yields increase, corn residue is one of the few forage resources that are increasing rather than declining. This realization has caused us to rethink traditional beef production systems. For example, it is common throughout much of the Northern Great Plains for beef cows to graze in the summer and to be confined for part of the winter. If residues are available in the winter, is it possible to confine the cows during the summer and graze during the winter? Are there consequences for birth date, age at weaning, animal health and reproduction if this system were adopted? Researchers at UNL have been investigating confined cow production systems for the past three years, and the economics for summer confinement and winter grazing of residues appears favorable. We hypothesize that it is possible to develop a cow/calf production system based on the use of corn residue, rather than grassland, but we have much left to learn.

We also must keep in mind the relationship between crop production and beef production. While cows once grazed throughout most of Nebraska, producers have become more specialized over time, focusing on either beef production or crop production. Now, a majority of cows resides in the western half of Nebraska while much of the opportunity for expanded residue use exists in the eastern half of the state. Is it possible to assimilate cows back into eastern Nebraska agricultural production systems, and where will the expertise come from for managing these cows? As an instructor at UNL, I am continually amazed at the number of young people looking for opportunities in production agriculture – students who have no “home place” to which they can return, many of whom may have grown up in urban areas. There appears to be opportunity for young people who want to manage cattle grazing residue in eastern Nebraska to enter the industry. It is possible they many not even need to own the cattle. I’m waiting for a young entrepreneurial spirit to piece together a business plan to take advantage of the opportunity.

The other issue that is currently being emphasized by UNL is the impacts of removing residue from fields. We have good evidence that grazing residue has no long-term negative impacts. We have much less information, and therefore less agreement, on the impact of mechanical removal of residues. We are also beginning to investigate incorporating cover crops in to these integrated production systems and are interested in determining if cover crops retain their benefits when grazed. UNL has just completed the hiring process for three new faculty members who will be working on these issues. Dr. Mary Drewnoski (beef systems specialist), Dr. Daren Redfearn (forage agronomist) and Dr. Jay Parsons (systems economist) will be joining the team of UNL faculty that is already working on these issues. We are looking forward to working with these scientists to expand on the Nebraska advantage of grasslands, crops, and livestock.



USE WINDROW GRAZING TO STRETCH SUMMER PASTURE
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Many years when we get into August we start to realize that we might not have enough pasture to get us through the season.  How can you stretch your supply?

               Most areas received abundant rain this spring, producing more pasture growth than cattle could keep up with.  Even with that abundance, though, some pastures are getting pretty short, especially with the recent dry weather.

               Suppose your pastures receive very little rain for the rest of the year.  How long could your pastures continue to provide adequate feed for your animals?  Like most folks, you probably would run out several weeks before corn stalks or winter pastures are ready for grazing.  Either your animals would be forced to rough it until new grazing becomes available or you would have to feed them hay.

               So what can you do now to stretch your current pastures and lower that risk of running out later this year?  Of course, one option might be to cut and bale some of your pasture for feeding later on to reduce the amount of waste that naturally occurs when grazing.  But another option that might work even better could be windrow grazing.

               To try windrow grazing, cut and windrow the amount of pasture your animals might need for about a week.  Then set up an electric cross fence that gives them just a day or two’s worth.  When they finish cleaning up that piece to your satisfaction, move the fence to give them some more windrows.  As they near the end of the windrows you already cut, lay down another patch and repeat this strip grazing of windrows as long as you wish.

               Other graziers have found that windrow grazing sometimes doubles the number of grazing days compared to regular rotational grazing.  If you need more pasture, maybe it can work for you, too.



Food Processing Center Offers Seminar for Food Business Entrepreneurs

Food manufacturing businesses continue to develop throughout the country. The Food Processing Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln provides the National Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program, which is specifically designed to assist individuals who want to start a food business. The program established in 1989 is celebrating 25 years of assisting small food companies throughout the country.

One of those companies is Avondale Natural from Atlantic, Iowa.  The family-owned company produces Avondale's Best Vegetable Soup based on a family recipe. Company president Bill Menefee said, "The National Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program was our road map. They placed us on the right path, pointed us in the right direction, and whenever we hit a bump in the road or ran out of gas, they were only a phone call away with the answers and support we needed."

"The program consists of two phases. The first phase is the Recipe to Reality seminar, which helps attendees understand how the food industry works, the challenges they will encounter and the decisions they should make before starting a business. Following the seminar attendees may choose to enter the second phase, Product to Profit. During this phase attendees receive individualized assistance through all the steps of starting their food business," said program manager Jill Gifford.

Recipe to Reality seminars are offered throughout the year. The final seminar for this year will be offered on Nov. 15. Pre-registration is required. To register for an upcoming seminar or to receive an information packet, contact Gifford at: Food Processing Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 143 Filley Hall, Lincoln, Neb., 68583-0928; phone 402-472-2819; email, jgifford1@unl.edu, or check out details on the Web at www.fpc.unl.edu.



Cooperative Efforts Bring Solution to Iowa Stray Voltage Issues

Low-level electrical current, commonly known to farmers as 'stray voltage', can impact Iowa's dairy cows and other livestock, reducing milk production and affecting animal behavior. A joint effort to provide an educational resource to manage and mitigate stray voltage issues, is now available to Iowa farmers, electricians and utilities. The 'Iowa Stray Voltage Guide' (www.iowastrayvoltageguide.com) aims to improve communication and solve problems.

Sponsored by the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives, Alliant Energy, the Iowa State Dairy Association and Iowa Farm Bureau, the information in the 28-page Stray Voltage Guide was developed over that past several months. The collective group worked together to develop a consensus about the most effective way to provide education and to manage and mitigate stray voltage concerns, keeping in mind the best interests of farmers, livestock and electric utilities. The guide is a contemporary tool to help farmers who are concerned about whether their animals are experiencing stray voltage issues and provides standard procedures for testing for stray voltage and identifies common causes of stray voltage.

"We see stray voltage when electrical current is carried on neutral wires,?and it often shows up at grounding points, such as livestock watering tanks, fencers or other metallic devices," says Regi Goodale, director of regulatory affairs, Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives.

"We're pleased with the collaborative development of this guide, which will help to address an existing issue for farmers, while also aiding utility workers and electricians, so that stray voltage can be mitigated in the future." "Animals that come into contact with stray voltage may experience tingling sensations or involuntary muscle contractions. For dairy farmers, it can be subtle to observe, and you may only realize what the problem is when you see high somatic cell counts and poor reproduction," says Iowa Farm Animal Care Coalition (IFAC) executive director, Denny Harding.

"Stray voltage can cause dairy cows stress and discomfort. Effects can include the loss of 20 percent or more of an animal's milk production and longer intervals between calving," says Harding.

"We're pleased that Iowa dairy industry partners have worked together in this proactive, cooperative way to help minimize stray voltage," says Larry Shover, a dairy farmer from Delhi and Iowa State Dairy Association president. "Keeping our cows healthy and comfortable is vital in our efforts to provide nutritious, healthful and good-tasting dairy products."

Fixing the situation first involves diagnosing the problem, then coming up with a workable solution. To assist with this process, the Iowa Stray Voltage Guide includes a farm wiring checklist.

"Providing an environment where stray voltage does not impact our farmers' ability to maintain healthy and productive livestock is key, says Tony Harvey, senior agriculture representative, Alliant Energy. "The guide provides farmers with practical information that can be used to find stray voltage sources and provides ways to fix potential issues before they become a problem. We are proud to be a part of this effort that benefits our farmers and their livestock."

Farmers can work with their utility provider to identify sources of stray voltage and take steps to mitigate the causes of the problems and access resources to remedy the situation.

"Farmers are interested in making sure all the animals on their farm are healthy and in a good environment; consumers expect nothing less. Having this tool accessible to bring a standard process for identifying unacceptable levels of stray voltage is a win-win for everyone, especially for livestock," says Harding.



Governor’s Charity Steer Show celebrates 32nd year at Iowa State Fair

The 2014 Governor's Charity Steer Show will to mark the 32nd consecutive year the beef industry has raised funds to help families who utilize the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa while their children are being treated for serious conditions.

This year, the show ring competition takes place Saturday, Aug. 9, at 4:00 p.m., in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair when celebrities will lead 25 steers around the ring, vying for the championship designation, as well as appealing to the crowd for a showmanship award. Immediately following the competition the steers will be sold at auction with proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Both the show ring event and the auction are open to the general public.

Since the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association began the Governor’s Charity Steer Show in 1983, the effort has raised more than $2.2 million for the Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City Ronald McDonald House Charities. The houses provide a "home away from home" for families of seriously‑ ill children being treated in area hospitals.

Many participants are involved in this 32nd anniversary event. Governor Terry Branstad will again host the show. Charlie Peters of Bellevue will serve as the official steer show judge for this year’s event and Mark Dorenkamp has been selected to serve as the event’s Showmanship Judge. Emcees for the event include Bob Quinn of WHO Radio and Michelle Rook of WNAX Radio. The auctioneer is Phil Schooley from Bloomfield Livestock Market and helping him catch bids in the ring are Tom Rooney of The Midwest Marketer, Mike Sorensen of Livestock Plus and Jason Lekin from Tama Livestock Auction.

In addition, the Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association will welcome a special guest, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman at the Governor’s Charity Steer Show.

To date, here are the steer owners and the celebrity showing their steer....

Steer Owners  -  Shown by      
Tori Freeman, Corydon  -  Governor Terry Branstad      
Ben Von Glan, Vail  -  Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds      
Kaylee Snyder, Bloomfield  -  Rick Heller, University of Iowa Baseball Coach      
Caleb Burke, Altoona  -  Jerry Parkin, Iowa State Fair Board of Directors      
Leah Breon, Oskaloosa  -  Jackie Schmillen, KCWI Great Day      
Leah Vierkandt, Alden  -  Bruce Nelson, 2014 ANF Wall of Honor Recipient      
Garrett Longnecker, Ames  -  Dr. Rob Denson, President, DMACC      
Kole Kimberley, Maxwell  -  Sandy Hatfield-Clubb, Director of Athletics, Drake University      
Tanner Knupp, Washington  -  Mike Pearson, Host of Market to Market      
Taylor Lekin, Toldeo  -  Scott and Cora Lahr family      
Libby Janssen, Wellsburg  -  Dr. Bill Ruud, President, University of Northern Iowa      
Bailey Christensen, Adel  -  Dr. Steven Leath, President, Iowa State University      
Landra McClellan, Armstrong  -  Suzy Fife, Miss Rodeo Iowa 2014      
Kelli Wicks, Rockford  -  Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture      
Max Teno, Albia  -  Jessica VerSteeg, 2014 Miss Iowa United States      
Jacob Donohoe, Parnell  -  Bob Sinclair, CEO, Sinclair Tractor      
Kendrick Suntken, Belmond  -  Alan Brown, President, Iowa State Fair Board      
Kaitlyn & Kasidy Mohwinkle, Aplington  -  Joni Ernst, U.S. Senate Candidate      
Carlee Ewoldt, Dysart  -  Chris Soules, As Seen on the Bachelorette      
Katie Morris, Centerville  -  Pete Miller, VP of Co-Product Sales, Grain Processing Corp.      
Nicole Lange, Harlan  -  Bob Bowman, President, Iowa Corn Promotion Board      
Taylor Noonan, Solon  -  John Burchert, Owner, Iowa Chop House      
Dylan Madden, Alden  -  Erik Wheater, WHO-TV Channel 13 News      
Korey Vogel, Granger  -  Dr. Tim Collision, Collison Embryo      
Austin Waller, Bernard  -  Carlee Kelly, Miss Teen Rodeo Iowa 2014   



Where Will Beef Cows Expand?

It is getting to be a well-repeated story. Beef cow numbers are at their lowest level since 1962.

Purdue University Extension economist Chris Hurt says, "Cattle and feeder cattle prices are at record highs, and feed prices have dropped. Beef consumers continue to eat beef and are rewarding the beef industry with very profitable returns. So when are beef producers going to expand the breeding herd, and in what regions of the country will that occur?"

To answer those questions, experts must first look at the areas of the country that had the biggest reductions in beef cow numbers due to drought, high feed prices, and financial losses, he said.

Since 2007, beef cow numbers have dropped by 12 percent, totaling 3.8 million head. The biggest declines were in the region with the most cows--the Southern Plains--which accounted for 1.6 million of the decline, he noted.

"Texas, the big beef cow state, had a reduction of 1.4 million head, an astonishing 36 percent of the nation's total decline. That region's expansion opportunities are very mixed due to lingering drought. About one-third of Texas remains in the three highest drought categories, D2-D4. It's important to note that parts of cow-dense eastern Texas are now out of drought, and the National Weather Service is forecasting some continued drought abatement by this fall for the region. In conclusion, lingering drought in the Southern Plains will tend to mean a slow expansion there," Hurt said.

The second most important region for beef cows is the Southeast, which has had an 822,000-head beef cow reduction since 2007, or 21 percent of the nation's total. The biggest reductions were in Tennessee and Kentucky and accounted for 59 percent of the region's decline. The Southeast is generally in good shape for pastures as the impacts of the 2012 drought have passed, he noted.

The third most significant beef cow area is the Northern Plains, where beef cow numbers did not drop over the past seven years. "This probably means that producers in that region will be expanding numbers with large amounts of grazing land. Lower returns to grain production are expected to bring some conversion of land back to grazing in coming years as well," he said.

The Central Plains are the fourth most important area, and drought continues to linger in Kansas and parts of Nebraska, slowing their expansion, he noted.

The fifth most important beef cow region is the western Corn Belt from Minnesota to Missouri. That region had a reduction of 566,000 cows, or 15 percent of the national reduction.

"Over the last seven years, this region has been most dramatically affected by the ethanol boom. Traditionally a low-grain-price region, many farmers once talked of 'walking' their corn to town in the form of value-added livestock. Now hauling corn to the local ethanol plant is often the preferred marketing plan. The ethanol impact is much less important in Missouri where more marginal land is suited to beef cows, so that state is expected to lead the coming expansion for that region," the expert said.

According to Hurt, the rest of the country has a mixed situation. Severe drought in California and other parts of the West and Pacific Northwest are going to prevent expansion in some of those areas. On the other hand, the eastern Corn Belt and the Northeast will see some expansion, but these have become relatively minor beef cow regions.

The latest June Cattle inventory update from USDA does not answer the question of whether expansion is under way because USDA was not funded to collect mid-year cattle inventory data one year ago. Numbers from January seemed to suggest that heifer retention was up 2 percent, signaling expansion. But the June inventory was 2 percent lower than two years ago, providing inconsistent signals, he said.

"Low slaughter numbers seem to be signaling that heifers are being pulled away from slaughter and toward breeding herd retention. The number of cattle processed this year is down 7 percent, a number greater than would have been expected in the absence of expansion. Cow and heifer slaughter have been low as well," Hurt noted.

Finished cattle prices have reached record highs over $160 in recent weeks. In 2013, finished cattle prices averaged about $126. At the start of 2014, forecasts were for prices to average in the mid-$130s. Now, it appears that the 2014 yearly average price will be close to $150. The mid-$150s are expected for the remained of the year with prices dropping to the low-$150s for the first-half of next year, he said.

"When will expansion begin and where will it occur? Clearly the profit incentive has returned more powerfully than was expected. Pastures and ranges have returned in some regions and feed is more available, but drought is limiting forages in other significant areas. This means the national beef cow expansion will be slowed and that tight beef supplies will be with the country for several more years," Hurt said.



Federation of State Beef Councils Awards Grants for State Beef Promotions

The Federation of State Beef Councils has awarded seven grants totaling $77,850 to six state beef councils for programs aimed at enhancing beef demand in their states. The awards, part of the Federation Initiative Fund program, were announced at the 2014 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver Aug. 2.

The Federation Initiative Fund is managed by the Federation Executive Committee, and was established in 2006 to help move beef checkoff funds from states with heavy cattle numbers to states with heavier consumer populations.  

The six states receiving awards for the remainder of FY 2014 are:
                Arizona Beef Council, $6,100 for its Gate to Plate tour series.
                Florida Beef Council, two grants, $32,000 for its Farm to Fork Tours, and $7,500 as the second part of a ProStart Education Initiative to launch a high school culinary education initiative.
                Hawaii Beef Industry Council, $5,000 for a ranch tour for millennial bloggers, food writers and chef/culinary students.
                Minnesota Beef Council, $7,250 for its Team BEEF program.
                New York Beef Industry Council, $15,000 for social media marketing outreach and digital marketing.
                Pennsylvania Beef Council, $5,000 for a Millennial to Millennial (M2M) Recruitment Program.

State beef councils voluntarily invest in the Federation to help strengthen national efforts to build demand for beef. Since it was created, the Federation Initiative Fund has awarded more than $2.2 million to 22 states conducting 180 programs.



Informa Pegs Corn Yield at 168 BPA; Soybeans at 44.5 BPA

Private analytical firm Informa Economics forecast record corn and soybean yields, at 168 bushels per acre and 44.5 bpa respectively, in a report released this morning.

Resulting corn production comes in just shy of 14 billion bushels (13.988 bb), while soybean production clocks in at 3.7 bb.

All wheat production was forecast at 1.986 bb, down 6 mb from Informa's July estimates.

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service will release its Crop Production report on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 11 a.m. CDT. The report includes corn and soybean objective yield surveys for the first time this season.

USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board has been publishing forecasts of crop yield and production estimates in its monthly supply and demand reports since May, but it's the first time on-the-ground survey data will be included in USDA's analysis.



CWT Assists with 2 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 13 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) and Tillamook County Creamery Association to sell 1.989 million pounds (902 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese, and 55,116 pounds (25 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, South America and the South Pacific. The product will be delivered August 2014 through January 2015.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 80.301 million pounds of cheese, 48.050 million pounds of butter and 18.290 million pounds of whole milk powder to 43 countries on six continents. These sales are the equivalent of 2.021 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them in the rapidly growing world dairy markets. This, in turn, positively impacts U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



USW Bringing Filipino Flour Millers to See U.S. Wheat Crop and Supply Chain

The growing demand for wheat foods in the Republic of the Philippines is good news for U.S. wheat farmers, who have more than 90 percent market share of imports there. With that growth, however, comes a need to expand the knowledge of new flour milling managers about the quality, value and reliability of U.S. wheat and its supply chain.

That is why U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is bringing five milling industry customers from the Philippines to soft white (SW), hard red spring (HRS) and hard red winter (HRW) production regions Aug. 6 to 16, 2014. These managers have a diverse range of responsibilities and experience, said Manila-based Joe Sowers, USW assistant regional director for South Asia, who is travelling with the team.

“U.S. wheat has been a big part of the Filipino milling and baking industry for more than 50 years,” Sowers said. “Coming to the United States helps these new customers understand the work farmers, grain handlers and USDA put in to produce and deliver high-quality wheat and services that can help them grow their businesses.”

With support from participating state wheat commissions, educational partners and the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), the team will get a field-to-vessel look at the U.S. wheat supply system. In visits to Portland, OR, eastern Washington, North Dakota and Kansas, the team will learn about wheat breeding, production, transportation, inspection and certification services and innovative uses.

The Philippines is fifth largest market for U.S. wheat, based on the five-year average. That success is based on strong relationships with industry leaders maintained since 1961. Imports that year were 200,000 metric tons (7.35 million bushels) and have steadily grown to nearly 2.2 million metric tons (80.8 million bushels) in marketing year 2013/14 (June to May), including the largest amounts for both SW and HRS for the marketing year. That is the most U.S. wheat sales since 1999/00 and the second highest on record. U.S. wheat market share exceeded 93 percent of total Philippine milling wheat imports in 2013/14, the fourth consecutive year exceeding 90 percent.