Wheat Market & Black Sea and USDA Staffing Shortages
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Continuing warfare between Russia and Ukraine is elevating uncertainty in global wheat markets as attacks threaten transportation and agricultural infrastructure around the Black Sea.
Russia and Ukraine remain major participants in the international grain trade, making disruptions in the region capable of affecting wheat supplies and prices.
Recent Russian attacks have damaged Ukrainian food warehouses and logistics infrastructure, disrupting domestic food distribution and adding uncertainty to supply chains.
**Dairy Management is challenging college students to develop new dairy-based products aimed at consumers seeking sustained energy.
The 2027 New Product Competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students across the U.S.
The competition focuses on products that provide steady energy, reduce fatigue, improve stamina and sleep.
Entries must contain over 51% dairy ingredients and provide a good source of dairy protein. Submission deadline is February 1st.
**Farmers across the country are reporting difficulty obtaining federal conservation assistance following substantial staffing reductions at USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
NRCS lost nearly one-quarter of its workforce in 2025, according to Investigate Midwest and Harvest Public Media.
The reductions have left fewer employees available to provide technical assistance for conservation projects involving soil health, water quality, erosion and other farm-management practices.
