Wheat Marketing Center

09/02/2026

Today, we hosted two Oregon FFA (Future Farmers of America) State Officers and a representative at Wheat Marketing Center for a presentation and tour of our Portland facility. It was a great opportunity to share how wheat quality testing, crop quality reporting, and end-use functionality research support growers, millers, bakers, and customers around the world. We always enjoy connecting with the next generation of agricultural leaders and showcasing the important role wheat plays in the Pacific Northwest and global food systems. We look forward to seeing how these emerging leaders help shape the future of agriculture.

Today's FFA visit comes during one of the busiest times of the year for our laboratory team. Earlier this week, WMC released the Week 5 Pacific Northwest Crop Quality (CQ) Report, which reflects data from 365 wheat samples processed through the fifth week of harvest testing. As harvest progresses, our team continues to analyze incoming samples and prepare the next update, with the Week 6 Crop Quality Report scheduled for release on Monday, September 7.

To learn more about our role in crop quality testing and to view the most recent weekly CQ data reports, visit www.wmcinc.org

08/28/2026

August has been a busy month at Wheat Marketing Center (WMC) as international visitors arrived from key export markets, alongside the start of the 2026 Pacific Northwest crop quality testing season.

WMC welcomed representatives and companies from Japan, South Korea, The Phillipines, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. During these visits, customers reviewed harvest conditions and crop quality data firsthand while learning about wheat production and export logitisitcs. Most importantly, they discussed how this year's crop will perform in end-use applications important in each of their markets.

We appreciate the opportunity to host customers from around the world and look forward to continuing these conversations as harvest progresses and additional crop quality results become available.

08/25/2026

With the publication of the Week 4 Crop Quality data report yesterday, we are approximately halfway through this year’s crop quality assessment season, a 7-to-8-week testing period that helps deliver critical, real-time U.S. wheat quality information to customers around the world.

Every data point is the result of a team effort. For the past four weeks, hundreds of samples from across the region have been moving through a collaborative process involving country elevators, National Quality Inspection (NQI), Federal Grain Inspection Services (FGIS), and the hardworking Wheat Marketing Center laboratory team. Together, we provide objective reliable information that demonstrates U.S. wheat quality year after year.

Thank you to everyone across the supply chain who helps make timely, reliable crop quality information possible.

To view the Week 4 crop quality report, visit: wmcinc.org

08/19/2026

The Wheat Marketing Center recently hosted the 2026 Korean Noodle Flour Development Short Course in partnership with and sponsored by U.S. Wheat Associates. Industry and academic professionals from Korea spent a week in Portland conducting research, product development, and hands-on testing to explore how U.S. wheat can enhance Korean noodle quality and performance. The workshop highlighted the versatility of U.S. wheat and the value of collaborative research in expanding market opportunities worldwide.

Read the full story:

Wheat Marketing Center and U.S. Wheat Associates Host Korean Noodle Development Workshop Focused on Expanding U.S. Wheat Utilization PORTLAND, OR — The Wheat Marketing Center (WMC) recently hosted the 2026 […]

08/13/2026

As kids head back to school, we’re reminded that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. It happens in labs, bakeries, fields, and throughout the agricultural industry, too.

Last month we welcomed eight Montana FFA State Officers and their advisor, Jim Rose, to the Wheat Marketing Center (WMC) for a hands-on look at the science, innovation, and global connections behind U.S. wheat.

The students toured our Innovation Lab, observed noodle line demonstrations, explored analytical testing procedures, and got hands-on in our Bake Lab, where they even made their own tortillas to enjoy.

WMC Executive Director Mike Moran shared how Pacific Northwest wheat reaches customers around the world and why quality testing is essential to maintaining buyer confidence.

As a new school year begins, we’re proud to look back on opportunities like this to connect the next generation of agricultural leaders with the science, research, careers, and global impact behind the crops that help feed the world.

Here’s to a new school year and to the curiosity, questions, and future leaders it inspires!

08/10/2026

July marked the beginning of another busy international trade team season as we welcomed visitors from key export markets across Asia. Last month's delegation visits included representatives from NIPPN in Japan, a Japanese Mid-Level Trade Team, a Korean Crop Survey Team, and a Philippine Policy Team.

These trade team tours provide opportunities for customers to learn firsthand about Pacific Northwest crop conditions, quality testing, export logistics, and the technical services that support confidence in U.S. wheat. Through presentations, discussions, and laboratory demonstrations, WMC helps connect U.S. wheat growers with buyers around the world.

We look forward to another month of productive visits that will highlight the qualities of this year's crop. In August we welcome Nisshin representatives from Japan, a Southeast Asia Contracting for Wheat Value team, and representatives from Murabeni and Yamazaki Baking Co in Japan.

08/07/2026

Harvest season in the Pacific Northwest means one thing at the Wheat Marketing Center (WMC): Crop Quality Testing is underway!

As combines roll through wheat fields across the region, our laboratory team is hard at work receiving and analyzing wheat samples from across the Pacific Northwest. The data generated through these evaluations provides growers, exporters, millers, and food manufacturers valuable insight as they plan for the coiming year.

From protein and moisture analysis to milling and end-use performance testing, WMC's technical staff provides the reliable information customers around the world depend on when making purchasing decisions.

The week 1 crop quality report was published last Monday, and the week 2 report will be available this Monday. Visit www.wmcinc.org to access the weekly reports or email [email protected] for more information!

08/06/2026

Our hearts go out to our farming friends and families, industry partners, first responders, and rural communities impacted by the wildfires across the Pacific Northwest.

As harvest season continues, many agricultural communities are facing significant hardship as they work to protect their families, operations, crops, and livelihoods. We recognize the resilience and determination of those affected, as well as the countless individuals working tirelessly to respond to these emergencies and support their neighbors.

The Pacific Northwest wheat industry is built on strong relationships and a shared commitment to helping one another through difficult times. Wheat Marketing Center stands with our agricultural community and extends our sincere support to everyone affected by these devastating fires.

08/05/2026

This week, the Wheat Marketing Center (WMC) hosts the Korea Noodle Flour Development Short Course, bringing together industry and academic professionals from South Korea for hands-on technical training focused on U.S. wheat performance in noodle applications.

Throughout the workshop, participants work directly with WMC technical staff to evaluate flour blends, conduct noodle testing, and explore U.S. wheat versatility for Korean-style instant noodle production. The program combines classroom instruction, laboratory activities, product evaluations, and technical discussions designed to build a deeper understanding of wheat functionality and quality characteristics.

Programs like this strengthen relationships between U.S. wheat producers and international customers while demonstrating the value of science-based technical support. We are grateful to U.S. Wheat Associates for their ongoing partnership in coordinating and sponsoring these educational workshops!

07/08/2026

We're pleased to share that WMC Technical Director Dr. Jayne Bock collaborated with lead author Carly Isaak and colleagues at the Canadian Grain Commission and Cereals Canada on a paper recently published in Cereal Chemistry.

The study highlights challenges in the reproducibility and accuracy of peak detection in twin sigma blade mixing curves generated at the standard mixing speed of 63 rpm. It details how increased mixing speed can improve consistency and precision in peak detection with a limited sample set, offering a first step toward addressing curves that resist reliable peak identification.

This work grew out of discussions within the Cereals & Grains Association Physical Testing Methods Committee, which Dr. Bock chairs. This kind of institution-spanning collaboration is what moves our industry's testing methods forward.

Read the full publication here:

Background and Objectives The standard Farinograph protocol with mixing speed of 63 rpm presents challenges in identifying the dough development time (DDT) of strong wheat flours due to flat mixing ...