Weekly Update for
December 5

The November Podcast includes conversations with NAWG President Keeff and NAWG Vice President Jake Westlin about the 2024 NAWG/USW Fall Conference in Phoenix, AZ, and their recent travels to member states’ meetings. This podcast also includes an update from Bayer Crop Science’s Vice President of Stakeholder Relations, Martha Smith, on Bayer’s regulatory and legal issues in the crop protection space.

On November 25, The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) released the following statements in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Brooke Rollins to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “Congratulations Brooke Rollins on her nomination to serve as our next Secretary of Agriculture. NAWG members look forward to working together to foster public policy initiatives that will help wheat growers and rural communities thrive,” said Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers. “As the wheat industry’s export market development organization, U.S. Wheat Associates looks forward to working with Secretary-Designate Rollins and the new administration on issues related to fair global trade and market access,” said U.S. Wheat Associates President and CEO Vince Peterson. “We welcome a renewed partnership with her and USDA to support U.S. agriculture and the farmers we represent in the world wheat market.” On November 27, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) provided the following statement in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Jamieson Greer to serve as United States Trade Representative. “Trade deals with Japan and Mexico won by the previous Trump Administration protected crucial U.S. wheat export markets. U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers strongly support an Office of the U.S. Trade Representative actively focused on enforcement of trade rules and opening markets under Jamieson Greer. The organizations look forward to working with him and the next Agricultural Trade Negotiator on behalf of American wheat growers.”

NAWG is looking for a new full-time Policy Manager position. The Policy Manager role would be responsible for leading a diverse policy portfolio focusing on environmental policy related to wheat farming and the wheat industry. The policy portfolio could include issues like farm bill conservation policy, USDA NRCS conservation practices, environmental regulations including the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act, sustainability, climate smart/regenerative agriculture, biofuels/renewable fuels, innovation and crop protection. Qualified applicants should email their cover letter and resume to (NAWGDC@gmail.com) with “Policy Manager” in the subject line by December 13, 2024. NAWG is also looking for a part-time Communications Intern. The NAWG Communications Intern’s main role is to assist the Director of Communications and Partnerships in implementing organizational communications and marketing strategies. The Communications Intern will work independently and in a team to fulfill organizational goals and initiatives related to programming and events. This role will be virtual or in-person and starts in January 2025. Qualified applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Elizabeth Rivera (NAWGDC@gmail.com) with “Communications Internship” in the subject line by December 13, 2024.

The 2025 NAWG/USW Winter Meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 13 through Thursday, January 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C., at The Westin Washington, DC Downtown. A preliminary schedule of events can be found online. But highlights of the winter meeting includes a Joint Plenary Session with US Wheat Associates, Presidents Reception and NAWG 75th Anniversary Celebration, the National Wheat Foundations annual Wheat 101, and Capitol Hill visits. You will find everything you need on our NAWG/USW Winter Conference website page.

NAWG Treasurer Jamie Kress, North American Millers’ Association, U.S. Wheat Associates, and NAWG staff held 24 meetings with Senate and House offices, as well as staff from the Houe Senate and House Agriculture Committee and House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee staff. Conversations were focused on building support for the American Farmers Feed the World Act (S. 2862/H.R. 4293) as farm bill conversations will continue into the new Congress and support robust funding for these program as the appropriations process continuous. Key provisions of the AFFWA were included in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act (H.R. 8467), which passed out of the House Agriculture Committee in May. The group was active in the need to go back to the origins of the Food for Peace program, which, in turn, creates export markets and relations with U.S. wheat and other nations.

Earlier this week, the bipartisan leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee announced a final agreement on a Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) – the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (S. 4367). The final text reflects bipartisan and bicameral efforts to reconcile the House- and Senate-passed versions of the legislation. Notably, the agreement includes policy supporting the cost share adjustment for inland waterway projects to 75% general revenue/ 25% Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF). Furthermore, the bill highlights transparency in spending and increases the federal cost share of inland projects, which includes a federal funding increase for ports. The bipartisan agreement is expected to be considered in the House next week. NAWG will be closely watching to see if there are any further updates and what floor action will look like next week. To read a summary of the House T&I’s WRDA bill below.

On December 2, Representative Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-07) dropped his name from the pool for leadership roles on the Natural Resources Committee. The House Agriculture Committee’s Ranking Member slot has also seen two new members enter the race to challenge the current Democrat leader. Both Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA-21) and Angie Craig (D-MN-02) have put in their name for the leadership position of the House Agriculture Committee to challenge the current Ranking Member, Representative David Scott (D-GA-13).

On December 3, following the release of the USDA’s Economic Research Service 2024 Farm Sector Income Forecast, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) and U.S. House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) issued the following statement: “Today’s farm income update underscores what Agriculture Committee Republicans in the House and Senate have warned about for two years: America’s farmers and ranchers are in serious trouble, and the outlook remains grim. From 2023 to today, row crop producers alone have lost more than $50 billion, and stand to lose even more next year. Immediate action is required to stabilize the farm economy and prevent a crisis that will only become more costly to address over time. Reauthorizing a five-year farm bill with significant improvements to the safety net is critical to restore certainty to our producers. Equally urgent, Congress must provide substantial economic aid to help those hit hardest. America’s farmers and ranchers deserve better. It’s time for Congress to deliver on its promises and ensure the future of American agriculture.”

On December 2, Minority Leader of the Senate Agriculture Committee Boozman (R-AR) spoke on the Senate floor about the need for economic disaster aid in a continuing resolution before the end of the year. He shared how many farms will be unable to obtain credit for next year’s growing season and the $5 billion wheat growers have lost in 2024. His message included the need to provide stronger tools for rural America in a safety net.

Mark Haugland has served as a Board member for 3 years and has agreed to serve a second term for another 3 years. Mark is retired from Bayer Crop Science and lives in Fargo, North Dakota. Mark brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience to the board. He serves as chair of the projects committee.  Mark enjoys golf, running and NDSU athletics. Even though Mark has worked for numerous global companies for much of his career, he has never lived anywhere except North Dakota. The National Wheat Foundation thanks Mark for his dedication to wheat growers and the ag industry. 

Award Winning Wheat – WestBred had 12 of the 26 national winners in the National Wheat Yield Contest. WestBred Marketing Manager Carrie Roach said the combination of high-producing wheat varieties and management-intensive production will deliver yield. Quality is also part of the contest. “You can’t have high-performing varieties and just hit those bushels without making sure that you’re hitting the quality because that’s really what we need downstream.” Wheat variety decisions are being made earlier and earlier. “Making sure you’re locking in those varieties, especially if you’ve got your eye on one, is going to be really important right now,” said Roach. “Talk to your seed supplier about which WestBred variety is best for you and get that locked in so you can achieve those yields, performance, and high quality.” Read the full interview below.