Weekly Update for
November 7

On November 6, following the call of the 2024 presidential election by the Associated Press in favor of Donald Trump as president-elect, NAWG President Keeff Felty provided the following statement: “Congratulations to President-elect Trump and the incoming members of the 119th Congress. American agriculture faces many challenges, and we look forward to working with the House and Senate leadership and the new Senate Agriculture Committee Chair and Ranking Member in a bipartisan manner to support our farmers. However, there is work yet to be done this year. Wheat growers are seeking action during the lame duck to enact a farm bill and economic assistance by the end of the year that supports growers as we continue to face increased input costs, depressed prices, and weather-related disasters. It is critical that we continue to advance those policy initiatives immediately and work with everyone in the 119th Congress to foster public policy initiatives that help our farmers and rural communities thrive.”

Registration and hotels are now open for Commodity Classic 2025 in Denver, CO. The trade show opens at 3 PM on Sunday, March 2, and closes at 7 PM on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Make sure to select the National Association of Wheat Growers as one of your associations when registering. You will find everything you need on the Commodity Classic website.

The NAWG USW Fall Meeting is right around the corner! This event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12 through Thursday, November 14, 2024, in Phoenix, AZ, at The Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass Hotel. We would encourage officers and staff to arrive before lunch on Tuesday, November 12. Regarding departures, the NAWG board of directors meeting is scheduled to end at noon on Thursday, November 14. The airport is a 20-minute drive from the hotel. If you have any questions please contact Elizabeth Rivera, ERivera@wheatworld.org.

There is no time to waste when getting a farm bill passed this year. Congress must continue to hear from growers about the need to get a robust farm bill passed during 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.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking input on climate smart conservation practices used in programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The climate smart practices a eligible for funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) which extended many of the farm bill conservation programs including EQIP and CSP. In a press release, NRCS Chief Terry Cosby stated, “agricultural producers are on the front lines of climate change, and we want to hear from the public how we can improve our conservation practice standards to best serve our producers in climate mitigation and adaptation in the years to come.” Comments are accepted through December 23 and can be submitted through the Federal Register website.

On October 31, the Biden Administration announced the creation of the Southern Farmers Financial Association (SFFA) to assist growers in southern areas of the U.S. who are in poverty-stricken regions. Other financial institution partnerships include Farm Credit and Arkansas Land Development Corporation. The goal of the agency is to provide financial resources for producers to access credit for operation. Current USDA Secretary Vilsack stated the SFFA would, “support rural economies by making it viable for small farms to stay in operation.”

On November 5, the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index showed positive movement up 27 points since September ahead of the U.S. election. Overall farmer sentiment has increased as it is related to farm economy. Producers who are expecting worsening agriculture economy conditions decreased from 73% to 53% in the past month. Though spirits are rising in farm country, many growers still report declining financial positions compared to this time last year.

On November 5, the head of Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Heather Reams reported increased Republican support for climate-smart mitigation. With the increased activity from the right on the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus and the Conservative Climate Caucus, she shared how many elected officials prioritize cutting emissions. With an incoming Trump administration, Republicans want to get serious about cutting emissions. Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions non-profit preserves the Inflation Reduction Act voluntary tax credits for reduced emissions.

The 2024 election provided the GOP control of the Senate majority and White House for the 119th Congress. With a changing majority for the 119th Congress, Chairman G.T. Thompson mentioned he wanted to complete a Farm Bill in the 118th Congress with current legislative leads. In a switch of power, Republicans could have sway for more Farm Bill items on their wish list. Before Congress went into session in October Chairman Thompson shared, that he requested a meeting with House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Scott and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders to iron out details and pass a bill soon. House Agriculture Committee Chair G.T. Thompson states his continued focus on passing a Farm Bill in the lame duck.

The winners’ lists were announced Monday, November 4 in a Press Release and a Progressive Farmer story Washington Farmer Tops 2024 National Wheat Yield Contest With 223.08 BPA Entry. Congratulations to all the winners! Anne Osborne was interviewed by the Red River Farm network: National Wheat Foundation Project Manager Anne Osborne said the National Wheat Yield contest is a learning opportunity. “If these guys can do it, you can do it, too,” said Osborne. “We can grow high-yielding, high-quality profitable wheat, and keep the wheat in the rotation. It does good things for the rest of your farm. You’re breaking up the cycle from soybean cyst nematode or some of those other pests and spread out the workload.” In addition to bushels, this contest examines the wheat for quality. The top-quality winners will be announced in mid-January.

Scott Brown farms wheat, barley and mustard with his son-in-law and nephew on an 11,500-acre dry farm in Southern Idaho north of Soda Springs.  He is a third-generation farmer. His family farm averages an elevation of 6,000 feet and is blessed with rich fertile soil and normally adequate moisture. Scott is a CPA and graduated in 1980 from Brigham Young University where he earned a master’s degree in accounting. Scott has been involved in grain industry leadership since the early 2000’s, having served in Idaho as the Idaho Grain Producers Association president in 2010. At that time, he served on both the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Barley Growers Association boards. He went on to serve as the National Barley Growers Association president for two years. He most recently served two terms as an Idaho Barley Commissioner.  He has been a strong and effective advocate for the nation’s grain farmers. Scott’s hobbies include traveling, flying, photography and spending time with grandchildren. He and his wife Diane reside in both Soda Springs and Salt Lake City. He has a daughter, a son and 3 stepsons. Fun facts… Scott was in a band in high school called Phosphate, Snow, and Soda Water.  We thank Scott for his leadership and willingness to serve on the National Wheat Foundation Board!