Russia wants to increase grain shipments to Asia and the Pacific region by developing export ports in the far east of the country. Officials say modern export terminals will allow for shipment of high quality milling wheat from Siberia.

The regional government of China’s northwest wheat growing region issued an emergency order requiring officials to monitor an aphid and powdery mildew outbreak. Nearly 461,000 acres is impacted with aphids being found on 30 percent of plants. Powdery mildew currently affects 227,000 acres with the average diseased plant rate nearing 50 percent.

Australia’s 2,000 mile narrow-gauge rail network which carries 60 percent of the country’s annual grain harvest to port, is at risk of going under with officials warning hundreds of jobs will be lost. The grain industry wants the government to help fund a $200 million upgrade.

Kazakhstan is investigating whether to provide 1.5 million tons of 4^th grade and feed wheat each year for biofuel production. The grain has the potential of producing 90 million gallons of fuel. With demand within Kazakhstan at a little over 50 million gallons, the rest may be exported.