12/11/08 The Wide World of Wheat

And now from the Washington Wheat Commission comes "The wide world of wheat" grain industry headlines from around the world. December 11, 2008 Reader: Japanese flour millers are concerned about Australia maintain its traditionally high wheat quality standards with the demise of the AWB as the single desk seller. The country sent a delegation of four millers to assess the new marketing arrangement. Western Canadian winter wheat acreage could be down 10 to 15 percent or more because of a late harvest in Alberta and Saskatchewan. India has enough wheat stocks to last almost two years according to the Food Corporation of India. Iraq is showing signs of becoming more independent as the country begins to source grains from places beside the United states. The country recently purchased 200,000 tons of wheat from Russia. Eight South Asian countries have agreed to create a 243,000 ton strategic grain reserve to meet any sudden spurt in demand. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are involved in supplying the reserve. I'm Bob Hoff. Anchor: The Washington Wheat Commission wants growers and citizens alike to understand their industry has global reach. A pebble thrown anywhere in the world of grain is felt as ripples by Washington's 15,000 growers and their landlords.