Ag Update From The 2023 Montana Legislature
Now that the 2023 legislative session has wrapped up, here’s a quick recap of several of the new laws and the possible impacts to Montana wheat and barley producers.
May 12, 2023
Now that the 2023 legislative session has wrapped up, here’s a quick recap of several of the new laws and the possible impacts to Montana wheat and barley producers.
Hard Red Winter (HRW) wheat acres make up the largest share of overall winter wheat acreage in the United States and crop condition ratings are reflecting the weather-related challenges in the Central and Southern Plains. HRW condition ratings are near historical lows for this time of year. Bellwether Kansas, the largest HRW producing state, shows 81% of the state in drought conditions.
There is a quiet and currently subdued bullish factor lurking just below the surface of the spring wheat market. It is likely to start rearing its head in a more pronounced way and exerting more influence in the coming weeks.
Although the United States remains one of the six major global wheat exporters, our market share has been trending lower for the past 22 years. Over the past decade, the United States has given up market share to competitors such as Canada, the EU, Russia, Ukraine, and Australia.
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.
The Montana Wheat and Barley Committee (MWBC) is pleased to announce Kent Kupfner has been chosen as the new Executive Vice President.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3024
300 Park Dr. S., Suite 104
Great Falls, MT 59403-3024
Phone: (406) 761-7732
Fax: (406) 761-7851
Email: wbc@mt.gov
The Montana Wheat & Barley Committee promotes local research and develops trade markets around the world.