Source: U.S. Wheat Associates, Wheat Letter, May 20, 2004

USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) this week announced the launch of a web site to help develop rapid tests of wheat end-use quality. GIPSA, the wheat industry, and academia will use this site as a discussion forum to foster development of these tests.

"International and domestic customers of U.S. wheat want tests that predict end-use quality characteristics," said GIPSA administrator Donna Reifschneider.  "This forum will make wheat end-use functionality testing a reality by drawing upon the ideas and expertise from a diverse group of scientists."

U.S. Wheat Associates' primary expert on wheat qualities was pleased with the development. "We continue to work closely with GIPSA's Federal Grain Inspection Service to encourage 'market applicable' end use testing that can be used all the way from the country elevator to the export terminal," said John Oades, USW director. "Even some of our newest export customers are quickly becoming very sophisticated, and this technology is an important step in our efforts to enhance the value of U.S. wheat delivered to all of our customers."

"We applaud GIPSA efforts to provide testing that will help the U.S. wheat industry more efficiently control end use quality through the marketing system," Oades said.

The site includes information about the wheat research initiatives and programs of GIPSA, academia and the industry. 

The Wheat Gallery is accessible via the GIPSA web site at http://www.usda.gov/gipsa/wheat_gallery/index.htm.