Weekly Update for
October 31

The October podcast includes a conversation with NAWG Secretary Nathan Keane about how wheat harvest went in Montana this year and the National Cotton Foundation’s annual cotton tour in Lubbock, Texas. NAWG’s Vice President of Policy and Communications, Jake Westlin, gives an update on NAWG’s latest farm bill advocacy efforts and lame duck session priorities. NAWG Treasurer Jamie Kress shares her personal story about how she got involved in agriculture advocacy. Make sure to check out NAWG’s new 2024 Farm Bill advocacy campaign urging Congress to work to pass a long-term bipartisan farm bill this year. Learn more and get involved here.

On October 25, Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-01) presented the Farmer Assistance and Revenue Mitigation Act of 2024 (FARM Act) and was co-sponsored by 48 other representatives from both sides of the isle. This bill would provide economic assistance to offset producer costs with the lack of a Farm Bill. Producers would be paid on actual planted acres for crop year 2024 plus 50% of all acres that were not planted. The payment formula is (Projected Cost – Projected Returns X Eligible Acres X 60% = Total Payment. All payments will be made based on USDA projected costs and returns. NAWG along with many other commodity groups support this bill. “Producers across the country continue to be hit hard by natural disasters, higher input costs, and low reference prices. As we wait for a new farm bill to be signed into law, farmers need assistance as we deal with external factors out of our control. The FARM Act is not a replacement for a long-term farm bill but provides farmers with the tools we need to keep our operations running,” said Keeff Felty, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

There is no time to waste when getting a farm bill passed this year. While Congress is out until after the election, they must continue to hear from growers about the need to get a robust farm bill passed when they return for the “lame duck” session. We encourage all our producers to check out NAWG’s new 2024 Farm Bill advocacy campaign urging Congress to work to pass a long-term bipartisan farm bill this year. Learn more and get involved below.

Earlier this week, USDA posted updated Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) payment data, and payments will begin to be issued on eligible acres. Due to the $6.96 Marketing Year Average Price for wheat, no PLC payments will be made for the 2023 wheat crop. However, ARC-CO payments were triggered in counties that experienced a yield decline of 32 percent or more. Payments for wheat were triggered in 14 percent of counties for which FSA reports payment rates. The average ARC-CO payment rate in counties where a payment was triggered is just under $22 per base acre.

On October 25, the USDA announced $3 billion in electricity project funds through the Empowering Rural America Program. These funds are used to promote rural cooperatives in farm communities, creating more electricity resources. The focus of these projects is on clean energy and upgrading cooperatives’ infrastructure. Current cooperatives involved in this project service Minnesota, South Dakota, South Carolina, Colorado, Nebraska, and Texas.  

On October 25, the Progressive Farmer surveyed 1,393 rural Americans on the upcoming presidential election. The poll reports that 70 percent supported former President Donald Trump, 19 percent supported Vice President Harris, and 9 percent were undecided. This follows NBS News recent poll showing Trump ahead with 75 percent of the rural American vote. The main concern for rural voters is the economy, with specific focuses on inflation and interest rates. Other large issues of concern include international trade, increased regulations, and the Farm Bill.

On October 25, Representative David Valadao (R-CA-22) shared his views on the need for disaster aid for producers in the absence of a Farm Bill. California, being the largest agriculture state producing 12.5% of agriculture products, has been hit hard with droughts and natural disasters. He shared his bill Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act would provide USDA with $14 billion for natural disaster losses of 2023.

On October 29, USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small announced $39 million in USDA grants for increased domestic biofuels. An additional $200 million is available through the Biobased Market Access and Development Grants in the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). These grants are focused on increased biofuels infrastructure in 18 states and support climate mitigation efforts seen in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These grants would increase fueling station access to biofuels and support additional research and technology for commercially viable biofuels products.

Bernard Peterson is CFO and marketing manager of Peterson Farms, a multi-generational grain operation in central Kentucky. The majority of Peterson Farms’ production is used in the local bourbon industry, Peterson Farms grows corn, soybeans, wheat, canola, and hemp. Peterson Farms also owns and operates Loretto Grain, a country elevator storing and merchandising corn and wheat for the milling and bourbon industries. Bernard has served on the National Wheat Foundation board for 6 years, the last two as Chairman. He is past president of the Kentucky Small Grain Growers Association and an active member of the Alumni group of The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP) program. Bernard helped lead Peterson Farms to be named Top Producer magazine’s Top Producer of the Year in 2015. Bernard’s hobbies are cycling, traveling, and enjoying time with his wife, Annette, and their two daughters and their families. Peterson Farms is very active on social media. Thank you, Bernard, for your service to the wheat industry! Twitter - @PetersonFarmsKY Instagram - @petersonfarmsky

College students are invited to apply for 1 of 2 scholarships to be given in January 2025.  The deadline to apply is December 31, 2024.  Find the application on the National Wheat Foundation website. Preference will be given to students whose major directly benefits the wheat industry.