By Kent Kupfner, MWBC Executive Director
Wheat Marketing Center Export and Marketing Workshops
MWBC recently sponsored two group visits to the Wheat Marketing Center (WMC) in Portland, OR. These workshops are primarily attended by Montana growers but also include stakeholders from industry and academia. WMC exists to support present and future generations of US wheat farmers and their consumers through wheat utilization research projects and dynamic educational programs in collaboration with technical and educational organizations worldwide. The workshop participants received a firsthand look at how WMC’s research focuses on the end-use products made from US wheat to maximize the value, taste, texture and nutritional benefits of wheat foods. Tours of the innovation labs were highlighted by demonstrations of cracker, noodle and bagels lines along with presentations describing how alveograph and falling number equipment is used to determine grain quality factors. Other sessions included a presentation from personnel from the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and export market updates from representatives of US Wheat Associates and Columbia Grain International. Additional highlights included a tour of the Dave’s Killer Bread bakery, Columbia Export Terminal, and the headquarters of Tidewater Barge Lines.
The first tour group to Portland, LtoR: Lori Wickett, Stine-Lise Decker, Shawn Severson, Michael Dabling, Andrea Dabling, Sonya McLean; starting behind Sonya: Peggy Lamb, Darrin Boss, Robert McLean, Keisha Wood, Michael Wood
National Barley Improvement Committee
The National Barley Improvement Committee (NBIC) represents the US barley community of growers, researchers, processors, users and allied industries. Each year, the NBIC sets a list of priorities that outlines their goals to support a robust and competitive malting barley industry. Director Lee Dahlman represented MWBC at meetings in Washington, DC. These meetings focused on priorities including the Resilient Barley Initiative (RBI) and the Barley Pest Initiative (BPI). The RBI strengthens research capacity and collaboration to address increased resiliency for barely crops through improved genetics and management. The BPI supports further research to address more than 20 major insect, viral, bacterial and fungal threats to the production of high-quality barley, which improves returns to growers and meets the needs of domestic and export end users.
Ag Day in Helena
Lori Wickett set up the MWBC booth at Ag Day in the Capitol rotunda, focusing on market development. Governor Gianforte, Director Streit and Montana legislators also attended, and this event presents the opportunity to showcase the importance of agriculture to the Montana legislative body. MWBC is tasked with making sure they understand the prominent role wheat and barley production plays in Montana’s economic success. Lori attended the evening reception for all agricultural stakeholders at the Governor’s home.
Montana Dept. of Ag Director Jillien Streit addresses a noon crowd at Montana Ag Day, at the Capitol Rotunda.
March Madness
MWBC held the second annual March Madness competition on March 24 at the MSU Alumni Foundation in Bozeman. The afternoon event featured 19 MSU College of Agriculture graduate students, covering four divisions, competing “Shark Tank”-style for prize monies. Students had five minutes to pitch their research projects to a panel of judges comprised of growers across Montana. They were asked to present their work in layman’s terms which differs in style from a typical academic setting. Students competing in the event were largely enrolled in Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology and Land Resources & Environmental Sciences. Scoring covered project impact, communication skill, and practicality. Judges, comprised of six MWBC directors and three MGGA board members, and the audience asked multiple questions of each contestant following their pitch. Overall, March Madness was a very successful event and MWBC anticipates continuing this building tradition again next year. MWBC held its quarterly board meeting the following day which included a presentation from Mike Moran, executive director of the Wheat Marketing Center, and updates from MSU scientists related to research projects funded by MWBC.
Back row, LtoR: Boyd Heilig, MGGA; Dale Flikkema, MGGA; Courtney Herzog, MWBC; Lee Dahlman, MWBC; Terry Angvick, MWBC; Klayton Lohr, MGGA; Brett Dailey, MWBC; Max Cederberg, MWBC; Front row, LtoR: Kent Kupfner, MWBC; Cindy McKamey, MWBC; Lori Wickett, MWBC
Upcoming Activities
MWBC always jumps at the chance to support FFA programs. The Committee will be recognized at the upcoming Montana FFA Convention with a Friend of the Foundation award. Abroad, Director Keven Bradley will join US Wheat Associates as part of a food aid trade team visiting Kenya. Finally, Lori and I will be participating in the interview process for selection of the Winifred Asbjornsen Plant Sciences Chair – growers are encouraged to take part in the MWBC/MGGA Zoom call held by MSU. More information about these can be found on our website or call our office at 406-761-7732.
Spring has arrived! The Montana winter wheat crop is beginning to break dormancy and condition ratings are encouraging. Be safe and best of luck as field work begins and early barley seeding has kicked off.