01/07/09 Bumper crop of wheat

Recent reports coming out of Australia have indicated that their wheat production may be headed for serious declines due to chronic drought conditions. Blaine Jacobson, Vice President of the Idaho Wheat Commission discusses Australian wheat long-term. "Australia is being affected by climate change, and they are going to be the first continent that really is affected by droughts. Australia is going to be challenged over the long term on getting a good quality wheat crop the way they have in the past." That said, a significant increase in world-wide wheat production is expected next year. World agriculture outlook board chair Gerry Bangey reports: "We're looking at gobal production of 684 million tons in 2008/2009. That's an increase of 73.4 million tons over the previous year, just a very large increase, a 12% increase year to year." Canada's forecast numbers are up 43% to 28.6 million tons. (Bangey) "Similarly, the European Union number keeps rising. We've got that production number for 2008/9 up to 150.9 million tons that of course would be far and away a record." All this while global wheat consumption is lower due to a reduction in wheat food use so Idaho wheat farmers bear that in mind as you plan.