Governor Appoints Ned Moon to Idaho Wheat Commission

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter recently appointed Ned Moon of Heyburn, to the Idaho Wheat Commission (IWC). Moon will represent wheat growers in District III, which includes Canyon, Owyhee, Ada, Elmore, Camas, Gooding, Twin Falls, Blaine, Lincoln, Jerome, Minidoka and Cassia counties.

Ned, who grew up on a farm in Heyburn, is the marketing manager for Jentzsch-Kearl Farms, a 16,000 acre partnership growing potatoes, sugar beets, wheat, hay, and seed beans. He also is responsible for chemical and fertilizer inputs, handles all land leases, audits and government programs.

Moon earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from BYU, and then entered the Air Force where he flew jets for over 10 years. In 1993 Captain Moon left the Air Force and returned to the Burley/Twin Falls area and started his own retail business. He also spent several years as the manufacturing manager for an agricultural chemical company prior to working for Jentzsch-Kearl Farms.

“Ned brings a wealth of marketing and business experience to the Idaho Wheat Commission,” said Gordon Gallup, Chairman Idaho Wheat Commission. “The commission and staff look forward to working with Ned and gleaning from his years of agricultural and business experiences. We are confident that Ned’s marketing knowledge will be a benefit to Idaho’s wheat producers.”

The new commissioner is looking forward to serving as well. “It’s both a privilege and an honor to be selected by the Governor to represent District III wheat growers,” said Moon. “Check-off dollars are grower dollars. My goal is to see that those dollars continue to be managed and invested in programs that will help improve profit margins for our wheat growers.”

Ned and his wife Mary have three grown children. He enjoys golfing, playing the piano and wood working.

Idaho Crop Progress Update

USDA’s July 5, 2011 Crop Progress & Condition reports weather conditions improved significantly during the week ending July 3. Warmer weather advanced winter wheat headed to 76% which was a 26 percentage point improvement from last week. Spring wheat and barley headed improved to 27 and 23 percentage points, respectively. Most cereal grains are in good to excellent condition.

Winter wheat conditions continue to be favorable with 74% Good to Excellent, 14% Fair, 10% Poor and only 2% reporting Very Poor. Spring wheat conditions also look favorable with 85% Good to Excellent, 14% Fair and 1% Poor.
To view the entire USDA report click on this link: http//www.nass.usda.gov/id/


U.S. Crop Progress Update
USDA’s July 5, 2011 Crop Progress and Condition reported winter wheat conditions 36%Good to Excellent, 23% Fair, 19% Poor and 22% rated 22% Very Poor. Spring wheat conditions are favorable with 69% Good to Excellent, 27% Fair, 3% Poor and 1% Very Poor.
The spring wheat crop, however, is behind the 2010 crop in progress with 89 percent of the crop emerged, compared to 100 percent emergence in 2010 by this week of the year.
The five-year average for the crop is also 100 percent emergence by June 26.
To view the entire USDA report click link: http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-07-05-2011.pdf