Weekly Update for
February 15

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) awarded Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) with its 2023 Wheat Leader of the Year Award for his work as Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. NAWG President and Oregon wheat farmer, Brent Cheyne, presented the award to Chairman Thompson during a recent visit to Washington, D.C. “On behalf of NAWG, I thank Chairman Thompson for the work he has done on behalf of wheat growers nationwide,” said President Cheyne, “The 2023 Wheat Leader of the Year Award is the highest honor wheat growers can use to recognize legislators, and it finds the most deserving recipient in Chairman Thompson.” The Wheat Leader of the Year is the wheat industry’s highest legislative award and is given annually by NAWG to one Member of Congress, whose commitment and support to the to the wheat industry goes above and beyond. NAWG also presented 19 Members of Congress with its Wheat Advocate Awards for their exceptional support of the wheat industry during 2023.

On February 9, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s notice of proposed rulemaking on treated seed. NAWG has concerns with the EPA’s proposal to add a rule under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Pesticides are already subjected to rigorous testing in the U.S. and NAWG believes these products should not undergo duplicative review under FIFRA. NAWG looks forward to future work and collaboration with the EPA to ensure that pesticide products are appropriately regulated and continue to be available for grower’s use.

On February 14, NAWG and other commodity organizations sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan regarding the vacating of Dicamba herbicide applications. The agriculture organizations point out that many producers have already made planting and herbicide application decisions. The letter asks “that the EPA issue a cancellation order that allows product that was manufactured and ready for sale on the date of the decision to be distributed, sold, and used under an existing stocks directive. We further request that EPA appeal the decision and request a stay until the appeal is resolved.” Following the letter, the EPA announced that declared farmers can accept “existing stocks”—previously registered pesticide products currently in the United States that were packaged, labeled, and released for shipment prior to February 6 (the effective date of the court’s vacatur of dicamba registrations) within set guidelines in the order.

On February 14, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack testified before the House Agriculture Committee on the current situation in agriculture and the use of funding within the USDA, which you can find here. In his opening remarks, Secretary Vilsack noted the challenges and opportunities facing rural America and producers. Additionally, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) mentions the struggles of rural communities and how the government should fight for them and not against them. He stressed that the United States is now a net agricultural importer and that the best course of action is to pass a bipartisan farm bill. This farm bill should strengthen farm safety nets and demand transparency of the programs implemented for the taxpayer to see where their money is channeled. Ranking Member of the Committee, David Scott (D-GA-13), referenced proposed cuts to SNAP benefits to fund the next Farm Bill and that taking money from Inflation Reduction Act programs to increase other benefits in the farm bill is not a bipartisan idea. He mentioned he also wants a bipartisan bill, and he is disappointed to see the struggles in government hold up the bill’s passing.

On February 13, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) today announced the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, spanning more than 6 million data points about America’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them down to the county level. The information collected directly from producers shows a continued decline in the total number of U.S. farms. Ag census data provide valuable insights into demographics, economics, land use, and activities on U.S. farms and ranches. The response rate for the 2022 Census of Agriculture was 61 percent; more than 40 percent of responses were submitted online.

On February 8, the USDA released its February estimates for global and domestic supply and demand. The USDA estimates that wheat supplies will be stable, there will be lower domestic use, no change in exports, and higher ending stocks for the crop year. Lower wheat flour grind was reduced by 10 million bushels to 960 million after the lowest flour grind on record for the October-December quarter. The global wheat outlook estimates increased supplies, consumption, and trade but lower ending stocks. Supplies increased by half a million tons, global consumption rose by 1.1 million tons, world trade increased by 1.2 million tons, and stocks lowered by 0.7 million tons. Supplies have increased due to dramatic increases in production in countries such as Iraq and Argentina, with global consumption increasing because the Indian government sells reserves to address price inflation in the country. Trade has also increased in countries such as Ukraine, Argentina, Australia, and Turkey since the U.K. and Brazil reduced exports in the past.

Are you thinking about entering the National Wheat Yield Contest for 2024? There is a new website that will open on February 28! All National Wheat Yield contestants will need to register on this site because none of the past registrations will be carried over. Plan to enter this year! The contest is for everyone; winners are selected based on high yield and percentage over the county average (dryland). We are also launching a new pilot category (Digital Yield) for Spring wheat in ND, SD, MN, and MT. Stay tuned for more information. The new website will be found at www.wheatcontest.org at the end of this month!