| Since July 1, 2016: | The Nebraska Wheat Board (NWB) invests excise tax funds into the following areas:A.Research: Research efforts continue to focus on the development of new varieties and improvement of production practices. The NWB contracts with the University of Nebraskas Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources wheat breeding team for research on wheat variety improvement in both the hard red and hard white winter wheat, hybrid wheat, and most recently hard red spring varieties. Additional research is funded to look at combating diseases such as head blight and pests like stem sawfly that affect wheat crop yields and quality, and to examine the benefits of genetically enhanced traits. Research improving the quality of Nebraskas wheat crop enhances the crops appeal in foreign markets and increases export opportunities.B.Education and Promotion: The NWB educates consumers at many events annually, as well as through the distribution of a wide variety of digital and print media. In addition, its student Ambassador Program continues to develop and educate college students on the wheat industry, which enables them to interact with wheat producers, students, and consumers to increase excitement and interest in Nebraska Wheat. The NWB also works with the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association to inform the public of the nutritional value of wheat in a healthy diet. In conjunction with the Wheat Marketing Center, the NWB funds a wheat export and marketing workshop for producers, which provides them with the opportunity to learn about wheat and flour quality testing, tour port facilities and processing companies, the Federal Grain Inspection Services, and the role of the U.S. Wheat Associates in promoting and marketing U.S. wheat. C.Domestic Marketing: The NWB supports the Wheat Foods Council in their work with an Olympic-caliber athlete to advocate for wheat foods. The NWB also supports the Grain Foods Foundation to inform consumers of the benefits of grains in a healthy diet. Finally, the backing of the Home Baking Association to promote home baking and curriculum development for educators has helped market Nebraska wheat domestically. D.International Marketing: Foreign wheat markets are developed and export sales promoted through U.S. Wheat Associates (a partnership of the board and 17 state wheat commissions) with offices throughout the world. The Nebraska Wheat Board has hosted six international trade teams from Peru, Philippines, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Chile, Nigeria and South Africa. The Nebraska Wheat Board supports Plains Grains, Inc., an organization of hard red winter wheat growing states, that provides crop quality data on grade and non-grade kernel characteristics, milling tests and baking trial data that is used both domestically and internationally to educate potential buyers of the quality of Nebraska wheat.E.Policy Development: Working with the National Association of Wheat Growers and the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association, the board is able to address various wheat issues including the farm bill, trade policies, crop insurance, and railroad issues.The Nebraska Wheat Board members serve in varying capacities on boards of a number of national organizations, which most recently include: U.S. Wheat Associates Board of Directors Bob Delsing and Mark Knobel, Wheat Marketing Center Secretary Von Johnson, Wheat Foods Council Past President Brent Robertson, Plains Grains Inc. SecretaryTreasurer Larry Flohr, and the Wheat Quality Council Chairman Royce Schaneman. Nebraska Wheat Board members also served on various advisory committees for research including Stem Sawfly Tyson Narjes, Variety Trial Evaluation Task Force Brent Robertson, IPM of mite-virus disease complex Von Johnson, and incorporating adaptive traits. |