Weekly Update for
August 17

Organizations representing Pacific Northwest wheat growers and the U.S. milling industry celebrated the latest Food for Peace donation of 28,000 metric tons of U.S. soft white (SW) wheat. On August 15, 2023, longshoremen at the Port of Longview, Wash., loaded the wheat on the U.S.-flag vessel “Liberty Glory” now bound for the Arabian Peninsula in the Middle East to help alleviate one of the worst hunger emergencies on the planet. "This recent donation of U.S. wheat symbolizes our commitment to combating hunger and fostering global food security," said Nicole Berg, a Washington wheat farmer and Past President of the National Association of Wheat Growers. "During a journey to Kenya and Tanzania in 2019, I saw firsthand the effects of these life-changing programs and U.S. commodities. In testimony before Congress, I shared the story of a man I met there who emphasized his community is always so happy with the high quality of the U.S. food and wheat flour they receive. NAWG encourages lawmakers to protect funding for Food for Peace and include the American Farmers Feed the World Act as part of the Farm Bill to help feed the world with high-quality American wheat and continue paving the way for excellence in food security and assistance."

On August 6, NAWG provided public comment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlining wheat growers concerns with the Endangered Species Act’s (ESA) Vulnerable Listed Species Pilot Project. The comment recognized that EPA is pursuing an approach to maintain use of pesticides and meet requirements to comply with the Endangered Species Act; however, NAWG is concerned about a policy approach tied to the pesticide label that does not align with the risk-based nature of the FIFRA statute. The approach being taken by EPA is not based on actual risk and ecological assessment, but rather is moving toward a hazard-based regulation. In addition NAWG submitting public comment, it joined over 200 organizations in sending a comment letter to the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs expressing ways in which grower and other pesticide user operations potentially would be subject to irreparable harm should the pilot take effect as proposed. The comments raised concern that the proposal “will effectively result in a de facto pesticide ban for many farmers.”

Yesterday, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) met with NAWG board member and Minnesota wheat farmer, Mike Gunderson at his farm. During the visit Gunderson discussed NAWG’s Farm Bill priorities, specifically highlighting increasing wheat’s reference price and increasing funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program (FMD). Engaging in on-farm conversations like Senator Smith's farm visit underscores the significance of Congressmembers connecting with agricultural communities during August recess and helps facilitate a profound understanding of how policies impact farmers’ lives. Senator Smith serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee and is the original cosponsor of the Expanding Agricultural Exports Act (S. 176), which is aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of MAP and FMD.

You are invited to attend our 2023 Wheat Industry Fall Conference in Cincinnati, OH, November 7-9, 2023. You will find everything you need on our Wheat Industry Fall Conference webpage. The cost for NAWG members is $125, and for nonmembers is $250. NAWG will invoice your association after the event. Registration and the hotel portal will close on October 15, 2023. To access registration, hotel portal, and draft agenda, scroll down to the “Event Information.”

Rural Minds, the National Grange, and the National Association of Wheat Growers are pleased to present a Rural Mental Health Connections Webinar – the third FREE webinar in the 2023 series on Tuesday, September 19 at 2:00 pm ET | 1:00 pm CT | 12:00 pm MT | 11:00 am PT. This webinar will provide suicide awareness and prevention training from NY FarmNet Family Consultant Jennifer Schwyzter, LMSW, a mental health professional with an approach that’s relevant to people living in rural communities. Learn about: What causes people to consider suicide Warning signs that someone may be considering suicide Strategies for managing one’s own mental health How to get help for someone in a suicidal crisis

On August 10, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) formally submitted an emergency supplemental funding request to Congress. The $40.1 billion supplemental funding request would require Congressional approval in order to be carried out, which could be part of a stopgap funding measure or year-end omnibus appropriations package. While the majority of the supplemental includes support for Ukraine, wildfire disaster relief, and border security measures, there are dollars included that aim to provide additional cash assistance through the International Disaster Assistance account and International Development Association Special Program to Enhance Crisis Response Window with food security in countries most impacted by the Ukraine crisis. The request, if granted, would circumvent budgetary limitations and potentially complicate the already contentious appropriations process.

On August 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to offer additional financial aid to eligible borrowers facing financial difficulties under the Guaranteed Farm Loan Programs (FLP). This initiative is a component of the $3.1 billion allocation specified in Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act, designed to support distressed farm loan borrowers. “USDA continues to make progress on our goal to provide producers access to the tools they need to help get back to a financially viable path and ultimately succeed as thriving agricultural businesses,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The financial assistance included in today’s announcement will provide a fresh start for distressed borrowers with guaranteed farm loans and will give them the opportunity to generate long-term stability and success.” Eligible FLP guaranteed loan borrowers in distress are those meeting certain criteria, which is further outlined as part of the announcement.

The USDA's Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small is leading the first U.S. agribusiness trade mission to Angola from November 28, through December 1. “When it comes to trade opportunity, Sub-Saharan Africa is both promising and often over-looked, and the USDA trade mission to Angola presents an incredible prospect for U.S. food and agriculture exporters to expand and explore new business opportunities,” said Torres Small. “Angola is one of the largest markets in Africa, and with imports making up more than half of its food market, Angola is a perfect location for U.S. exporters to introduce more American-made products to African consumers.” The USDA is accepting applications from American exporters interested in joining. Angola, a substantial African market, relies heavily on food imports, offering U.S. exporters a chance to introduce American products to its nearly 36 million population. In 2022, U.S. food and agriculture exports to Angola reached $236.8 million, with poultry dominating the market. Participants in the trade mission will engage in meetings with potential buyers, receive market briefings, and explore networking opportunities. Angola's market presents prospects in poultry, pulses, dry beans, wheat, wine, and other products like rice, soy and vegetable oils, beef, pork, sauces, condiments, and spirits. The application deadline for the Angola trade mission is August 25, 2023.

On August 7, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member, David Scott (D-GA-13), along with fellow Democrats from the Agriculture Committee, composed a letter directed to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-20). The letter highlighted their concerns with efforts that could undermine the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – the nation's anti-hunger initiative – as part of the Farm Bill process. The letter highlights how proposed partisan efforts to change SNAP as part of the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bill derailed efforts to advance a bipartisan bill in the House of Representatives.

The outlook for 2023/24 U.S. wheat this month is for decreased supplies, slightly lower domestic use, reduced exports, and higher stocks. Supplies are reduced as wheat production is forecast at 1,734 million bushels, down 5 million from last month as lower Other Spring and White wheat production is partially offset by increases for Hard Red Winter (HRW), Soft Red Winter, and Durum. The all-wheat yield is 45.8 bushels per acre, down 0.3 bushels from last month. Domestic use is lowered 3 million bushels, all on food use, based on the NASS Flour Millings Products report, issued August 1. Wheat exports are reduced 25 million bushels to 700 million, on the weak sales and shipment pace to date for HRW, where all the reduction is made. The global wheat outlook for 2023/24 is for reduced supplies, lower consumption, decreased trade, and lower stocks. Supplies are projected to decline 4.3 million tons to 1,061.7 million as reduced production for the EU, China, and Canada is only partially offset by increases for Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Global consumption is reduced 3.4 million tons to 796.1 million, mainly on lower feed and residual use for the EU and reduced food, seed, and industrial use by China. World trade is decreased 2.2 million tons to 209.4 million on reduced exports by Canada and the United States. Despite higher production, Ukraine’s exports are unchanged at 10.5 million tons with the expiration of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The National Wheat Foundation is a strategic partner with MyPlate and we want to promote it as much as possible. You might remember the food pyramid, that has been replaced since 2011 with MyPlate. MyPlate has resources you can use in your own social media or newsletters. Check your websites, are you still referencing the food pyramid, time to update to MyPlate! Below is an interesting history of the USDA Food Guides going back to the first one done in 1916. NAWG and NWF also are part of the GrainChain, a coalition that is monitoring the activity of the Dietary Guidelines committee and will comment with science-based facts about grain foods.

Entries are in for the 2023 National Wheat Yield Contest! Thank you to everyone who is challenging themselves by entering the contest and thank you to all our great partners. The deadline for harvest data to be entered into the website is October 1, 2023. Please contact Anne (aosborne@wheatworld.org) if you have any questions or issues when entering your harvest data and make sure to save a confirmation sheet of your harvest entry and an 8 lb. sample of grain.

Southern Plains growers are at the mercy of Mother Nature, and plans for herbicide applications can change in an instant. Find the right solution for every crop stage to control downy brome, Italian ryegrass, rescuegrass, henbit and more at the link below.