-Kent Kupfner
December was a month full of activity as I settled in as the new Montana Wheat and Barley Committee (MWBC) Executive Vice President. I’m pleased to report that despite a drop in assessment revenues due to successive years of drought, the Committee was able to approve a budget that funds our ongoing research, market development and education outreach goals. While the Committee had to take a conservative and measured approach when considering a myriad of funding requests, many of the research grant applications were funded for a total of $1.7 million. These ongoing research projects are vital to the continued growth and prosperity of Montana’s wheat and barley producers. Research projects are wide ranging and include improving wheat and barley genetics to developing uniform solid stem wheat varieties for sawfly resistance. For the first time since Covid became an international issue, the MWBC will be travelling to the Philippines, Japan and Korea which are the top three export destinations for Montana-grown wheat. We are looking forward to meeting with our long-term customers, thanking them for their business and promoting the finest wheat and barley in the world.
In addition to a new Executive VP, the MWBC also welcomed a new Director for District 3, Keven Bradley of Cut Bank. Keven replaces Llew Jones and will be a great addition to the team given his wealth of knowledge and practical experience in production agriculture. We’re looking forward to Keven’s input, perspective, and leadership.
Attending the Montana Grain Growers Association Convention was an excellent opportunity to reestablish relationships with growers statewide and catch up on grain industry trends. I simply had a great time. The featured speakers, overall agenda and trade show content were excellent, well run and professional. The Convention was a great reminder that above all else, wheat and barley production remain the backbone of Montana agriculture.
A day spent visiting the Montana State University College of Agriculture was time very well spent. The opportunity to meet with the Dean, Dr. Bajwa, along with many of the plant breeders was critical and essential as we strive to meet MWBC research goals and objectives. The greenhouse tour and time spent with Jamie Sherman and Hannah Turner discussing barley varieties and the malting process was most certainly a highlight. The upcoming release of a Clearfield Dagmar spring wheat variety as well as continued improvements in durum varieties are encouraging developments. Finding an answer to the agronomic issues presented by the wheat stem sawfly is an ongoing goal and remains a top priority.
It has been impressive watching the growth and maturation of the Montana Seed Trade Association. The Association’s Winter Convention was well attended, and the agenda was packed with very pertinent topics ranging from legislative and weather forecast updates to precision agriculture. Jason Laird, MWBC’s Communication and Marketing Director, engaged the crowd with helpful tips during a media training workshop. Various MSU personnel were in also attendance, and it was encouraging to see the collaboration occurring between the private seed trade and Montana’s land grant university.
The Montana organic industry continues to expand its footprint. This was evident at the Montana Organic Association Convention in Billings which was attended by Director Max Cederberg and me. This was also an informative event and presented the opportunity to meet several organic growers from north central Montana.
It is a top priority for the MWBC to help successfully deliver on the objectives of the Montana Department of Agriculture. I attended a planning retreat in Helena with this in mind. The Bureau Managers and the Division Administrators convened to discuss 2022 highlights and brainstormed in order to identify Department strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. In addition, Department-wide objectives, goals, strategies, and measures were outlined. The MWBC will continue to fund research that improves the profitability of Montana’s wheat and barley growers, develop, and maintain international and domestic trade relationships and disseminate information about wheat and barley production.
As we kick-off 2023, please keep in mind that assessments levels have increased for the first time since 2009. New assessment rates are 2 ½ cents per bushel and 3 ½ cents per hundredweight for wheat and barley, respectively.
The MWBC is looking to the future with great optimism. No pessimism will be allowed! Let’s hope Mother Nature treats us favorably. We wish everyone a safe, profitable, and successful 2023. Happy New Year!