Wheat Growers Take Action to Revive Wheat Industry

In the face of decreasing profitability, more intense global competition, the absence of productivity advances, and backlash from consumers who are shifting their diets to eliminate wheat-based foods, The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) and National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) have announced a partnership tasked with developing a business plan designed to reinvigorate the U.S. wheat industry. The National Wheat Action Plan will be collaborative in nature, and will accept input from key stakeholders along the wheat value chain in order to raise farmer profitability, improve productivity, and expand public and private research initiatives.

“The wheat industry is not keeping pace with other crops. As a wheat grower-leader, I want to see the industry flourish not decline,” said NAWG President, Brett Blankenship. “Reinvigorating the wheat industry will come from increased productivity and profitability. This strategic plan will provide us with the insight and analysis we need to move the U.S. wheat industry forward in a stronger direction.”

The information gathered by the NWF and NAWG through the study of existing funding models in both the wheat sector and those of other commodities, along with input from industry players, will then be used to develop a comprehensive business plan for revenue generation for wheat, including an outline of the steps needed to achieve that model, the best use for funds, and a process for application, distribution, reporting and accounting.

The plan has received widespread support from industry stakeholders including Monsanto, Syngenta, CropLife America, and WinField.

"...Truly raising the bar on wheat productivity and profitability will require innovative technology transfer techniques and a collaborative approach from everyone in the industry. With both of these at the heart of this initiative, we’re proud to be a part of it,” said Dr. Jeff Koscelny, Wheat Commercial and WestBred brand lead.

More on this story