USDA has made what it says is the largest one-day purchase of wheat ever.  More than 1 million tons of hard red winter wheat valued at about $133.5 million were purchased.

The wheat will be donated to needy countries under Section 416(b) of the Agricultural Act of 1949.  Much of it will go to Russia as part of the food assistance agreements signed by both Russia and the United States Dec. 23.  Other countries also will receive donations, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Jordan and Nicaragua.

Last year, President Clinton said USDA would purchase 80 million bushels, or 2.5 million tons, of surplus wheat.  An additional 2.5 million tons were authorized later for a total of 5 million tons.  USDA has purchased nearly 3.8 million tons of that total, valued at $470 million.