Agricultural News
Many Things for Wheat Producers to be Happy About, US Wheat Associates President Says
Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:58:02 CST
It's been an interesting year trying to grow wheat out in the countryside this year and, with budget battles ongoing in Washington, it's been a challenging year for those charged with marketing it around the globe.
Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays caught up with US Wheat Associates President Alan Tracy at the Commodity Classic in Kissimmee, Florida. Tracy says that, despite the difficulties, there are several things wheat producers can be pleased with this year.
"We see markets growing, I think in particular in Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria. Those are places scattered around the globe that we have very good prospects. Those economies are growing rapidly and we've been working with them for a long time, so they like the kinds of things you can make with good, high quality wheat."
"Nigeria buys 90 percent of its hard red winter wheat from the United States and that's from a country that as recently as 1990 didn't buy any wheat. They are now buying three or four million tons. There are things to be happy about there."
Tracy was happy that the Market Assistance Program got reauthorized even though a full farm bill was not passed. He said there's strong support for the program so he doesn't believe the program will disappear when funding runs out on September 30th.
Tracy said their 15 offices around the globe are essential to make direct connections with end users in countries that have the capacity to increase demand for U.S. wheat. He said the U.S. wheat is not the cheapest on the world market, but customers are turning to the U.S. because of those connections. And, "Once they get used to it, they really like having our wheat," he says.
Click in the LISTEN BOX below to hear Ron Hays's full conversation with Alan Tracy.
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