USW Crop Quality Seminars: Team Effort by U.S. Wheat Industry Benefits Customers Around the World

Two Dozen Countries

Seven teams presented highlights of the 2024 U.S. wheat crop in two dozen countries as part of the annual series of USW Crop Quality Seminars that began in October and wrapped up earlier this month.

Once again, success was the result of teamwork.

Each crop quality team is carefully selected by USW's regional offices. Teams include cereal scientists, market analysts, state commission staff, USW staff and producers. Each region has its own goals and builds a team of experts to help convey data from the annual Crop Quality Report with customers.

Hamilton Participates in First Seminar

USW Chairman Clark Hamilton, who this year was participating in his first Crop Quality Seminar. Hamilton was a member of the team that presented in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China.

"What I saw at each stop were perfect examples of the hard work USW staff undertakes in each market, and I was quite impressed with professionalism and dedication," said Hamilton. "For a long time, I have heard about the seminars and the impact they have. Having been part of it. I now understand."

Customers Appreciate Effort, Information

USW Vice President of Programs Erica Oakley said this year's round of seminars were well-received.

"Customers around the world value these seminars and they appreciate hearing from wheat industry experts," said Oakley. "These experts include representatives from our state wheat associations, wheat farmers, cereal scientists, and others. We had great news to share in 2024 and there was positive feedback to what we presented at our seminars."

USW colleagues put a lot of work into planning the annual seminars, Oakley noted, adding that USW state commission members and partners also play an important role. Below are some notes from a few of the 2024 seminars.

More than 170 Attend Mexico City Office's Seminars

USW's Mexico City Office shared 2024 Crop Quality information in-person and virtually with 170 participants. Attendees represented mills from Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela. Expert presenters included grain industry consultant Patrick McCluskey, Brian Strouts of B2B Bakery Consulting, and Roy Loepp, of Grainovations, LLC.

Meanwhile, USW's South America Office put together a team that presented in Colombia, Chile, Peru and Ecuador. The team included Aaron Harries, Vice President of Research and Operations for the Kansas Wheat Commission and Brian Sorenson, Executive Director of the Minnesota Wheat Research and Promotion Council. Also on the team were Senay Simsek, Department Head and Professor at Purdue University and Britany Marchant, Executive Director of the Idaho Wheat Commission. Kansas' Mike McClellan took part to share the perspective of a U.S. wheat farmer.

Europe and Asia Offices Attract Millers and Bakers

USW's Rotterdam Office conducted seminars in Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Italy. Wheat industry expert Jeff McPike joined USW Regional Vice President Ian Flagg and Market Analyst Tyllor Ledford in presenting important information during five seminars.

South Africa Hosts for Only Second Time

USW Cape Town hosted a full team of speakers for its Crop Quality Seminar - only the second time one has been conducted in the market. Along with Oakley, speakers included Nebraska Wheat Board Executive Director Royce Schaneman. Dr. Simsek and consultant Mike Krueger also joined. Erica Olson, Market Development and Research Manager of the North Dakota Wheat Commission, rounded out the team.

Asian Customers Eager to Learn About Crop

In South Asia, the Crop Quality team conducted seminars in the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore. Joining USW staff were Kansas Wheat Commission CEO Justin Gilpin. Washington Grain Commission CEO Casey Chumrau and Dr. Shahidul Islam of North Dakota State University also presented.

More than 100 professionals in South Korea attended the Crop Quality Seminar conducted in Seoul. USW South Korea Country Director Channy Bae helped host the seminar. Speakers included Hamilton and USW Vice President Steve Wirsching. Others on the team were Montana Wheat and Barley Committee Executive Director Kent Kupfner and Dr. Jayne Bock of the Wheat Marketing Center. Wheat industry consultant Brian Walker and Wiley Wang of Columbia Grain also presented.

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