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U.S. Wheat Associates Board Elects New Officers for 2023/24 Term

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) board of directors elected new officers for the organization’s 2023/24 (July to June) fiscal year at their meeting Feb. 3, 2023, in Washington, D.C. The board elected Jim Pellman of McClusky, N.D., as Secretary-Treasurer; Clark Hamilton of Ririe, Idaho, as Vice Chairman; Michael Peters of Okarche, Okla., as Chairman; and Rhonda Larson of East Grand Forks, Minn., as Past Chairperson. These farmers will begin their new leadership roles during the USW board meeting in July 2023 in Minneapolis, Minn.

USW is the export market development organization for the U.S. wheat industry.

The 2023-24 USW Officer Team

The 2023-24 USW Officer Team

2023/24 U.S. Wheat Associate Officers. (L-R) Jim Pellman, McClusky, N.D., Clark Hamilton, Ririe, Idaho, Rhonda Larson, E. Grand Forks, N.D., and Michael Peters, Okarche, Okla. These officers will begin their term in July 2023.

“After serving as a director on the U.S. Wheat Associates board representing North Dakota, I believe in the mission of the organization,” Pellman said. “This is an ideal time for me to put my experience to work for wheat farmers beyond my county and state. I’m looking forward to doing what I can to help the organization continue building export demand in a very competitive global market.”

Jim Pellman and his wife, Candace, have two children and grow wheat, barley, canola, corn, and soybeans on the farm they started in 1990 near McClusky, N.D. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from North Dakota State University, Pellman worked as an ag lender and county supervisor with Farmers Home Administration and then several years as a community banker. He served as Chief and on the board of his community’s volunteer fire department and as chairman of a local non-profit housing organization. Pellman is serving his second, four-year term on the North Dakota Wheat Commission (NDWC), serving as Sheridan County representative since 2014. Pellman is NDWC vice-chairman and is liaison on transportation issues and the North Dakota Rail Council, as representative to the North Dakota Grain Growers Association, and a voting member of the SBARE Wheat Granting Committee.

Clark Hamilton and his wife, Kristy own Hamilton Triple C Farms, a 6,000-acre diversified family farm in eastern Idaho, that they operate with their two sons. They grow four specific wheat classes as well as barley, potatoes, pulses, and alfalfa. Hamilton spent several years serving and representing Idaho wheat and barley farmers as an executive officer of the Idaho Grain Producers Association (IGPA), including one year as president, and has been a board member of Ririe Grain and Feed Cooperative, Inc., for several years. While serving in those roles, he became very familiar with the local, state and national issues impacting agriculture and particularly wheat. He is currently one of five wheat growers appointed as a commissioner on the Idaho Wheat Commission and served as chair of that organization. Hamilton remains active in leadership roles in his church and community.

Michael Peters is a farmer and rancher growing hard red winter wheat and canola, and grazing stocker cattle on wheat. He serves on the Mid-Oklahoma Coop board of directors and on the Plains Partners Coop Board, a division of CHS, and is a member of the Okarche Rural Fire Fighters’ Association Board. He has also served as President of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He currently serves as a Commissioner and Chairman of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. He has participated in several farm leadership programs sponsored by CHS and the National Wheat Foundation. Peters and his wife Linda have two sons who work with him and his father on their farm.

Rhonda Larson was raised on her family’s Red River Valley farm and engaged full-time in the operation for nearly 30 years. Her father started the farm growing potatoes, wheat and barley. With her two brothers and her son, the third generation on the farm, they currently grow wheat and sugarbeets. Larson has been a board member of the Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council for 17 years; serving as chair from 2010 to 2012. She served on the Wheat Foods Council board and is a long-time member of the Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers and the Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association. As a USW director, she served on the Long-Range Planning Committee and the Budget Committee. Larson received a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a juris doctor’s degree in law from the University of North Dakota.

U.S. Wheat Associates’ (USW) mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

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U.S. Wheat Associates Promotes Tyllor Ledford to Market Analyst

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has promoted Tyllor Ledford to Market Analyst. Ledford has served as USW Assistant Director of the West Coast Office in Portland, Ore., since August 2021. USW is the export market development organization for the wheat industry.

“We are very pleased to recognize Tyllor’s strong contribution to our customer support and crop quality efforts with this promotion to Market Analyst,” said USW Vice President of Communications Steve Mercer. “Providing global and domestic market analysis, including unique information on U.S. wheat export pricing, is an important part of our trade service effort. Tyllor has the educational background and people skills to excel in this position.”

Ledford joined USW after completing both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural and applied economics from Texas Tech University. Her master’s thesis focused on the relationship between food security and conflict patterns in Africa and was awarded the “2022 Outstanding Master’s Thesis” by the Southern Agricultural Economics Association. She gained valuable experience as a Texas Tech graduate research assistant, by interning with Colorado State University Extension and through agribusiness academic immersion programs in China and Spain. Ledford is a native of Colorado, growing up on her family’s farm where they raised Quarter Horses and irrigated alfalfa.

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Portrait of Tyllor Ledford, Market Analyst with U.S. Wheat Associates

Tyllor Ledford, USW Market Analyst

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Joint Statement – Wheat Industry Welcomes Senate Confirmation of Doug McKalip as USTR Ag Negotiator

Following almost two years without a Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are very glad that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Doug McKalip to fill the position.

“Mr. McKalip’s work in conservation, with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and recent negotiations with the Mexican government on biotech issues match up perfectly with some of the most important agricultural trade barriers,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “He is well prepared for this position, and we look forward to working with him to open and grow overseas markets for U.S. wheat,”

“Congratulations to Doug McKalip for filling this critical role,” said NAWG CEO, Chandler Goule. “I know Doug very well from his decades of public service at the USDA, and he will be an absolute asset to USTR, wheat growers and the ag community. With half the wheat grown in the United States destined for foreign markets, it is essential we have these key trade roles filled and we look forward to having Doug advocate for U.S. wheat farmers.”

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Joint Statement – Wheat Industry Applauds U.S. Senate Confirmation of Alexis Taylor

The National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) welcome the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Alexis Taylor to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs. Earlier today, the Senate confirmed Taylor by a voice vote.

“NAWG applauds the confirmation of Alexis Taylor to this key role, and I personally congratulate her for this historic appointment,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “I have worked with Alexis for over 15 years, and I know the agriculture industry will benefit immensely from her expertise. She is a widely recognized leader on agriculture policy and has the domestic and international experience to help navigate U.S. agriculture through growing global changes and help expand markets for U.S. agricultural products. We appreciate the Senate’s bipartisan support of Alexis and look forward to working with her.”

“Global markets for food and agricultural products like milling wheat are growing, so finally having Ms. Taylor in this position will help re-establish the United States as a leading export market participant,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “After serving as Agriculture Director in Oregon she understands just how important it is to maintain a strong promotional effort in export markets. We look forward to working with her to build overseas markets for U.S. wheat.”

The Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs mission area plays a crucial role in developing and implementing USDA’s trade policy, oversees and facilitates foreign market access, and promotion opportunities for U.S. agriculture. The wheat industry looks forward to working with Alexis Taylor to advocate for U.S. wheat farmers and American agriculture.

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About U.S. Wheat Associates. USW’s mission is to develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers in more than 100 countries. Its activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit our website at www.uswheat.org.

About the National Association of Wheat Growers. NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry, and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices in the Wheat Growers Building on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials, and the public

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News Release – Wheat Industry Rail Shippers Welcome STB Rulings on Rate Disputes

New U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) rulings provide more streamlined processes for rail rate disputes and may benefit agricultural shippers. The STB established a voluntary arbitration program and an entirely new procedure for rate challenges, known as Final Offer Rate Review (FORR).

U.S. wheat farmers and the grain trade rely heavily on rail to transport wheat to export terminals by rail, but rates for hauling wheat are often higher than for other crops. The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Transportation Working Group is pleased that the STB recognizes rail shippers need new and innovative ways to engage railroads on rate concerns.

New Ways to Challenge Rates

“These rulings are a welcome sign that rail customers like wheat farmers are being heard. The voluntary arbitration program and the FORR process are intended to help give smaller shippers greater ability to challenge rail rates,” said Charlie Vogel, TWG chairman and executive director of the Minnesota Wheat Research & Promotion Council. “Under these programs, the railroads can agree to binding arbitration or allow the STB to review a dispute and determine a final reasonable rate.”

STB Chairman Martin Oberman noted that the Board has been looking for ways to make smaller rail disputes “accessible, reasonable, and less time-consuming.” However, he added that “the Board’s prior efforts to provide rate review methods suitable for smaller disputes have been rarely used by shippers. I am optimistic that this time the Board’s efforts will achieve this long-desired goal.”

For more information visit https://www.uswheat.org/wheatletter/wheat-industry-helps-build-awareness-of-rail-shipping-challenges.

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U.S. Wheat 2022 Crop Quality Videos Available

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has posted video presentations at a dedicated website, https://cropquality.uswheat.org/, to support the organization’s report on 2022 U.S. wheat crop quality. The video content includes eight presentations by wheat class and export location, a global wheat supply and demand summary and five special topic presentations.

The annual crop quality effort to report on comprehensive milling, flour and baking data for all six U.S. wheat classes is an essential part of USW’s trade service to the world’s wheat buyers and wheat food processors. It provides objective information buyers can use to get the wheat they need at the best value possible.

North Dakota Wheat Commission Marketing Director Jim Peterson presenting 2022 hard red spring wheat quality data in a video presentation.

Hard Red Spring 2022 Crop Quality for the Pacific Northwest export tributary is presented by Jim Peterson, North Dakota Wheat Commission in this video summary posted online at cropquality.uswheat.org.

 

In-season, USW and its state wheat commission members share early crop conditions through webinars. Sample testing and analysis is conducted during and after harvest by partner laboratories. The results are shared with customers in several ways including a summary report, by-class reports, in-person seminars, and video summaries.

USW Crop Quality reporting is funded by the Market Development Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program administered by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service.

 

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U.S. Wheat Associates Names Dong-Chan Bae as Country Director in South Korea

Dong-Chan Bae, Country Director USW Seoul Office

Dong-Chan Bae, new Country Director in USW’s Seoul Office in South Korea

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) has hired Dong-Chan Bae as Country Director in the USW Seoul Office in South Korea. Bae, who begins his role on Nov. 1, comes to USW after 25 years with the Samyang Corporation, a diverse South Korean company that includes a food and consumer goods business unit and flour milling operations.

Bae spent two decades as a manager in Samyang’s Grain Procurement Division, where he was responsible for the purchasing of wheat from international markets. He also performed management duties related to the company’s flour milling ventures, and oversaw administration of Samyang offices in New York, Shanghai and Tokyo.

“We are excited to welcome Mr. Bae to the USW team and feel his understanding of the global wheat market will be an asset for our efforts in an important part of the world,” said Mike Spier, USW Vice President of Overseas Operations. “He will play a big part in USW’s mission to develop, maintain and expand U.S. wheat exports to the South Korean market.”

After being part of many collaborations between USW and South Korean importers and millers, Bae said he looks forward to representing the U.S. wheat industry.

“I have always appreciated the work of U.S. Wheat Associates and I plan to use my abilities to continue the success of hard-working U.S. wheat farmers to provide a stable supply of high-quality wheat to South Korea,” he said.

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Wheat Growers Welcome Introduction of CREAATE Act Supporting Increased Export Promotion Funding

ARLINGTON, Virginia — U.S. wheat growers have a long history of recognizing the value of export market development by supporting the successful public-private partnership with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). That is why U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) welcome the introduction of the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act of 2022 in the U.S. Senate.

This legislation, introduced by Senators Tina Smith (MN), Angus King (ME), Joni Ernst (IA), and Charles Grassley (IA), would double funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, agricultural export market development programs administered by FAS.

Each year, wheat growers contribute a portion of their wheat sales which qualifies USW to apply for MAP and FMD program funds along with more than 60 other U.S. agricultural export promotion organizations. Unfortunately, inflation, sequestration and administrative costs have sapped the value of the program funds over many years.

“MAP funding has not been increased from $200 million since 2006 and FMD funding has not changed from $34.5 million since 2002, but our foreign competition in most global markets including wheat has grown,” said USW Chairperson Rhonda K. Larson, a wheat grower from East Grand Forks, N.D. “To manage that challenge over the years, USW has closed offices and reduced staff to protect wheat export demand in our top markets. With additional MAP and FMD funds, we could expand our promotion effort to more commercial markets.”

A USDA chart showing the market share by country of global wheat trade over 20 years through 2021

Competitive Squeeze. Over the past 14 years, competition in the global wheat trade has increased. This data from USDA shows dramatic growth in market share for Russia primarily but data from the “Rest of the World” indicates more new competitors and promotional efforts.

USW also uses MAP and FMD funding to enable greater use of U.S. wheat in food aid programs that have taken on increased significance with the disruption of global wheat trade by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Our food aid programs are the best suited for U.S. wheat to help support the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict and for on-going food insecurity,” said Nicole Berg, NAWG President and a wheat grower from Paterson, Wash. “Looking ahead to the 2023 Farm Bill legislation, our food aid programs must receive continued support and MAP and FMD programs dollars must be enhanced to support the effort to promote U.S. wheat and other agricultural products.”

A recent econometric study conducted by agricultural economists at IHS Market and Texas A&M University predicted that doubling funding for these programs would generate an additional $44.4 billion in U.S. agricultural exports over the 2024 to 2029 time period. This would directly benefit farmers, livestock producers, dairy operators and small businesses as they work to maintain and expand their global presence. Read more at www.AgExportsCount.org.

The CREAATE legislation must now be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials and the public.

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Wheat Growers Applaud Rail Agreement

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) applaud the tentative agreement reached between the railroads and rail union representatives that averts a rail shutdown ahead of Friday’s deadline.

The agreement provides rail employees a 24 percent wage increase during the five-year period between 2020 and 2024, while also paying out an immediate $11,000 upon adoption. The labor unions have agreed that they will not strike while the agreed upon deal goes through the ratification process. NAWG and USW would encourage a swift ratification of the agreement.

“NAWG commends all parties involved in the negotiation process for reaching a tentative agreement that averts a rail shutdown,” said NAWG CEO, Chandler Goule. “The pandemic forced the rail laborers into tough situations as essential workers, and we appreciate their willingness to come to an agreement. We also appreciate the railroads understanding the severity of the situation and taking steps to improve their services. Finally, we thank the administration for its critical role in mediating negotiations, encouraging agreement and understanding the critical nature of a well-functioning rail system to the agricultural economy and supply chain.”

“Our country’s reputation as the world’s most reliable wheat supplier depends heavily on functioning rail transportation and that won’t change in the future,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “So we welcome this tentative agreement and hope both sides continue to work together to serve shippers like the U.S. wheat industry.”

A railroad strike would have cost the overall economy over $2 billion per day and would have devastating consequences for the prices farmers receive and consumers pay. Wheat farmers are uniquely reliant on rail due to the large distances between production and consumption. Rail has moved over 1 billion bushels of wheat over the last five years, with one car containing enough wheat to make 250,000 loaves of bread.

NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials and the public.

The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

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U.S. Wheat Associates Names Peter Laudeman Director of Trade Policy

Peter Laudeman has joined U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) as Director of Trade Policy. He is a government affairs professional with more than four years of experience in trade association and corporate policy advocacy. He joined USW August 20, 2022.

Peter Laudeman, USW Director of Policy

Peter Laudeman, USW Director of Trade Policy

“I am excited to welcome Peter Laudeman to the USW team. He brings a diverse set of experiences working for both growers and the crop protection industry which will serve him well in the trade policy role,” said Dalton Henry, USW Vice President of Policy. “In addition to traditional trade policy, we look forward to Peter’s leadership on Food Assistance and Development as well as the use and adoption of technology by U.S. wheat farmers.”

Laudeman most recently served as Political Affairs Manager with Corteva Agriscience in Washington, D.C., where he led the biotechnology issues portfolio and the company’s carbon and ecosystem services advocacy.

Before joining Corteva, Laudeman was a Legislative Assistant with the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). There he supported NCGA’s advocacy work on the 2018 Farm Bill and led policy research and economic analysis related to farm programs.

His first position in Washington, D.C., was as a Legislative Intern in the office of Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood.

Laudeman grew up in Sherman, Ill., and earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, in 2018. A high-resolution photo is available here.

The U.S. Wheat Associates mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

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