Wheat

Capturing seasonal basis gains: Optimal hedging strategies for Northwest grain producers

nruhoff@uidaho.edu — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Grain producers in the Pacific Northwest know that marketing wheat is rarely straightforward. Prices move constantly, global events can shake markets overnight and input costs continue to rise. Over the past decade, these pressures have made it increasingly difficult for producers to lock in profitable prices.

The advantage of winter-hardy cereals in fall forage systems

jspackman@uidaho.edu — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

As water resources become increasingly scarce in southern Idaho, producers are looking for forage options that make the most of limited irrigation. One strategy gaining traction is planting fall-seeded annual cereals for forage.

The financial condition of Idaho agriculture: 2025

bwilder@uidaho.edu — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Idaho has a new top ag commodity: beef cattle. Livestock sector gains led Idaho farmgate cash receipts to a second consecutive all-time high in 2025. Net farm income is forecast to see a small year-over-year increase, with livestock sector gains outweighing losses in the crop sector.

Field-scouting Idaho ag: 2025 in review

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

“The ag community is all suffering. We all know this,” says Brandon Vining, president of ProGro Agronomy in St. Anthony. Agronomic outcomes differed by region, but low commodity prices and high input costs have most producers (outside of the beef industry) tightening their belts and hoping for better times.

Ultra-processed foods, MAHA and Idaho ag

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

As the Make America Healthy Again Commission (MAHA) makes headlines, Idaho producers may wonder where changing policies and recommendations leave them. One article of particular interest is the disavowal of “ultra-processed foods.”

The importance of a grain marketing plan

bwilder@uidaho.edu — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Crop prices are volatile, and for many producers, the market price at harvest in 2025 was below their cost of production. While no one has a crystal ball, a producer with a basic marketing plan can take steps to mitigate their price risk and increase their chances of long-term profitability.

Looking before a leap into HB4 wheat

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Genetically modified (GM) crops grown in the U.S. include corn, soybean, sugarbeets, canola, cotton, alfalfa, papaya, apples, potatoes, summer squash and pink pineapple. Following a decision released by the USDA last August, wheat could be joining that lineup within the next decade.

Managing wild oats: Winning the war in your small grains

aadjesiwor@uidaho.edu — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Wild oats (Avena fatua) – they’re fast, sneaky and persistent. If you’re a small-grain producer, you already know this grassy weed can rob you of yield, quality and profits. But here’s the good news: With smart strategies, you can turn the tables.

Idaho's ag leaders weigh in: The impact of tariffs on dairy, wheat, cattle and potatoes

cassidy@agproud.com — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Idaho’s ag leaders discuss the challenges and opportunities that arose from the trade policies in President Donald Trump’s previous term as well as how the shifting landscape affects their export market.

U of I setting a gold standard for hard white spring wheat

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In southeast Idaho, the hard white spring wheat (HWS) that reigns supreme is Dayn, a widely-grown variety released by Washington State University in 2018. However, a new variety known as UI Gold may soon be giving it a run for its money.

Field scouting Idaho ag: 2024 in review

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

“Overall, it was an average to average-plus year,” says Terry Helms of Simplot Grower Solutions in Oakley. Helms has been an agronomist in south central Idaho since 1985 and deals with a range of crops including potatoes, sugarbeets, corn, dry beans and small grains.

Inadequate zinc constricting Idaho wheat crops

richard.fillmore@mcgregor.com — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Wheat growers in Idaho are losing a surprising 3.5 to 4 bushels per acre every year due to widespread zinc deficiency that results in slow emergence and a lack of seedling vigor. While most now recognize that zinc is widely deficient in the soil profile, the larger issue of how to solve it still remains.

Are soil wetting agents worth the investment?

matt.yost@usu.edu — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Should growers be treating their fields more like golf courses? A common solution to this problem in golf courses is the application of products known as soil wetting agents that reduce the surface tension of soil.

The growing challenge of herbicide resistance in Idaho's beets and beyond

Wed, 22 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

“I’m an optimist, but I have seen fields overrun by kochia, and last year we learned that we have Palmer amaranth and waterhemp,” says Dr. Albert Adjesiwor, University of Idaho Extension weed scientist in Kimberly.

Profitability maps: A tool for informed farm management in Idaho

lschott@uidaho.edu — Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Profitability maps can be helpful for determining the relative extent to which different areas in a field are profitable or not, which can provide insights regarding whether there are any actions that can be taken to increase profitability in lagging areas.

The glyphosate debate: Facts, risks and benefits

jeff@millerresearch.com — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0400

With glyphosate, many see only the risks and not the benefits. A closer look at glyphosate shows that the safety concerns are not scientifically supported, and that the benefits are worth the perceived risk.

University of Idaho barley agronomy program update – nitrogen fertility

jspackman@uidaho.edu — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Idaho Barley Commission Endowed Barley Agronomy program has been researching sustainable barley and wheat production strategies, focusing on nutrient management practices for improved yield, quality, and soil and water health in both irrigated and dryland settings.

Market Talk: What you know, not what you wish

clark@jcmanagement.net — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0400

You make your marketing decision based on what you know, not on what you wish.

FFA students learn and earn through wheat marketing

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

The program started in response to frequent requests from student groups for financial support. “We wanted to add an education piece to donations. This is a way to cultivate our community and involve producers.”

Young farmer utilizes technology to boost dry farming

Tue, 26 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

“The technology wouldn’t have happened without Cody. It’s hard for me to learn that stuff, but he sets up the field on the combine or tractor, and I can just climb in and go. You can’t drive it as good as it drives itself.”

Market Talk: Boosting your marketing decisions

clark@jcmanagement.net — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Remember, when the basis is strengthening the market needs to buy wheat. As soon as they cover their needs, the basis will begin to weaken.

Market Talk: Why isn’t the grain market higher?

clark@jcmanagement.net — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Grinding through wheat market analysis means analyzing the whole market picture.

Grain inspection: Monetizing what's in the grain bin

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:34:18 -0400

“Say a guy over here is offering [a price] for this protein, or a guy over there's offering [a different price] for a little lower protein. If you know what you have, you can go different directions with it,” Dustin says. “It's always smarter to know what you have in a bin.”

Market Talk: Are grain marketing patterns kaput?

clark@jcmanagement.net — Wed, 31 May 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Now it’s time for us to get to work. I almost hate to use the word “work” just for the fact that you have enough to do without me piling on more, but the fact still remains it does take effort to market your commodities.

Spring is (finally) afoot … and so are cereal pathogens

Thu, 11 May 2023 14:52:09 -0400

The long, cold winter and spring pose potential problems for cereal grains.

Looking for the unseen: Crop sensors and UAVs

owalsh@uidaho.edu — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 11:56:18 -0500

Nitrogen (N) can be a yield-limiting nutrient in wheat cropping systems. If used correctly, N fertilization provides one of the largest returns on investment for yield gains and quality enhancement.

Golden piles of grain

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 19:36:53 -0500

What you notice first on the north side of Interstate 84 running through Bliss are grain bins with “The Andersons” logo displayed. And you see large golden, pyramid-shaped piles of wheat fronted by 110-car rail units. It’s an impressive site, but there’s a lot more you don’t see.

Market Talk: Diversifying market strategies

clark@jcmanagement.net — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:19:58 -0500

We talk a lot about diversifying these days – have you considered diversifying your grain marketing strategies? It's time.

Market Talk: For marketing goals, how big is too big?

clark@jcmanagement.net — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 13:52:42 -0400

" ... just because we are in a production mode doesn’t mean we can’t take time to study marketing."

Market Talk: Grain market 'woe' or 'whoa'?

clark@jcmanagement.net — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:02:50 -0400

October is a very busy month as producers are working hard to finish up the harvest of some commodities, while at the same time preparing the ground for planting both for this fall as well as next spring.