01/08/09 The Wide World of Wheat from the Washington Wheat Commission

Anchor: And now from the Washington Wheat Commission comes "The wide world of wheat" grain industry headlines from around the world. Reader Pakistan will receive 50,000 tons of soft white wheat thanks to a grant worth $11 million from the U.S. Food Aid Program. In addition to the cost of the wheat, the U.S. will also bear transportation charges of $7 million. Another 200,000 tons of wheat will go to Pakistan under the PL 480 program which provides government financing. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Flour Mill Association has demanded a halt to the supply of substandard wheat to flour mills, arguing it is ruining the industry. The Ukrainian Grain Association has asked the country's prime minister to consider subsidizing crop exports. The association predicts Ukraine's grain carryover will be 17 million tons come next July if no stimulus is forthcoming A United Nations aid agency has purchased 30,000 tons of Black Sea origin wheat for donation to Sudan and Ethiopia. The price was estimated at $175 a ton and the shipment date is January and February. 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 13,000 growers and their landlords.