In June we take the opportunity to recognize our close partnership with U. S. Wheat Associates (USW). USW is the export market development company for U.S. wheat growers, promoting the quality and value of U.S. grown wheat to millers, bakers, and food processors in over 100 countries around the world. Wheat Marketing Center supports the work of USW, conducting research projects and hosting international teams for educational courses and product development.

Our technical team has been engaged with several USW sponsored research projects including a comparison of Japanese sponge cake methodologies, a study of hard wheat blends in baguettes and instant noodles, and development of an improved rapid visco analyzer (RVA) method for predicting cake flour quality. We are proud to partner with USW in hosting two groups from Korea this month for short courses focused on noodle and bakery product development.

The USW summer board meeting is held in Bend, OR this month. WMC board member Darren Padgett is being honored as he completes his term as USW Associates board chair. Wheat Marketing Center’s ties to USW are varied, and we are proud to support their work promoting the high value of American grown wheat.