Kansas Wheat Staff Travel to South America and Southeast Asia for USW Crop Quality Seminars

Kansas Wheat CEO Justin Gilpin, Aaron Harries, Vice President of Research and Operations, and Mike McClellan, a Kansas wheat farmer who serves on the Kansas Wheat Commission, recently participated in the annual Crop Quality Seminars led by U.S. Wheat Associates (USW). Gilpin traveled to Southeast Asia and gave presentations in three different countries from November 10-15, 2024. Harries and McClellan traveled to South America and gave presentations in five different cities from November 12-18, 2024. 

Gilpin traveled to the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore. During the seminars, Gilpin presented two key topics that are of significance to the wheat industry in Southeast Asia: 2024 hard red winter (HRW) wheat crop quality and the role of biotechnology in U.S. wheat production.

Throughout his trip, Gilpin provided an overview of the 2024 HRW wheat crop, discussing its primary uses in various food products such as bread, noodles, sweets, and flour types. He highlighted the crop’s importance to global export markets and shared data on production and quality factors, which are key to meeting the needs of Southeast Asian millers and importers.

In addition to the crop quality report, Gilpin also introduced the topic of biotechnology in the U.S. wheat market, specifically focusing on HB4 wheat — a genetically modified wheat trait that has recently been deregulated for the first time in U.S. history. While commercialization is still years away, he emphasized the potential for HB4 wheat to pave the way for future innovations, including improved yield stability and resistance to environmental stress.

Across all three countries, Gilpin’s presentations highlighted the commitment of both USW and Kansas Wheat to providing high-quality wheat and embracing new technologies that can benefit global wheat production. His discussions strengthened Kansas Wheat’s presence in the region and opened the door for future collaborations and trade opportunities.

Harries embarked on a five-city tour of South America to present the 2024 HRW wheat crop quality update. As part of the seminars, Harries spoke to key buyers in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile about the quality of the hard red winter wheat crop. These seminars provided an opportunity for Harries to engage with representatives from major milling companies and emerging industries like aquaculture, emphasizing U.S. wheat’s role in wheat production and global trade.

Harries reported a positive reception to the updates he provided. “I was excited to share that the U.S. has an ample supply of high-quality HRW available to buyers in 2024,” Harries said. This is in sharp contrast to the limited supply available due to the drought-stricken crop in 2023” 

A notable development was the growing interest from aquaculture feed manufacturers in Quito and Santiago. Harries shared the success story of Ecuadorian shrimp farms and Chilean salmon farms incorporating HRW into their feed. Much of that salmon and shrimp is often sold back into the U.S. Market. 

Mike McClellan, a farmer from Plainville, contributed to the South America Crop Quality Seminars by offering a firsthand perspective on wheat farming in Kansas. His presentation highlighted the day-to-day operations of his farm, providing attendees with a closer connection to the producers behind the high-quality HRW wheat they were learning about. McClellan shared insights into the challenges and successes of Kansas wheat farming, creating a deeper understanding of the dedication and expertise required to grow a reliable crop for global markets.

Learn more about the quality of this year’s HRW crop and the USW crop quality seminars at  uswheat.org/crop-quality/.