Weekly Update for
February 6

On February 5, National Association of Wheat Growers President and Altus, OK wheat farmer Keeff Felty testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee during the “Perspectives From the Field: Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy, Part 1” hearing. “As I enter my 40th year in farming, the agricultural economy is facing a severe downturn the likes of which we haven’t seen since the early 1980s. NAWG greatly appreciates the hard work that leadership and committee members played in getting economic and disaster assistance signed into law this past December,” said Keeff Felty. “That assistance is much needed across all of agriculture. However, long-term improvements to the farm safety net must be included as this committee, and Congress works to reauthorize the farm bill this year.” Read Keeff Felty’s written testimony or watch the hearing below.

Earlier today, Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) reintroduced the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025 to increase funding to the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and help American farmers compete in global markets. “Yesterday, NAWG testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee on the state of the farm economy and called for passing a robust farm bill this year that strengthens the farm safety net and works to boost export opportunities,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “Expanding MAP and FMD resources in the Farm Bill will ensure that we can continue to grow and maintain strong wheat exports across the world, which would help strengthen the farm economy. NAWG was pleased to see this legislation included in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (H.R. 8472), and we look forward to seeing a farm bill enacted this year that includes doubling MAP and FMD.” “We appreciate this support. Export market development takes long-term effort, and increasing MAP and FMD funding assures American wheat growers can be represented in overseas markets well into the future,” said U.S. Wheat Associates President and CEO Vince Peterson.  “We know that future will remain intensely competitive, so there has never been a more important time for additional support.”

On February 3, the Senate Agriculture Committee voted unanimously to advance Brooke Rollins to be the Secretary of Agriculture. Rollins now awaits consideration by the full United States Senate. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) CEO Chandler Goule responded with the following statement. “Brooke Rollins will be an outstanding Secretary of Agriculture. Mrs. Rollins is deeply committed to advocating for our countries’ producers and understands the needs of rural America. NAWG encourages the Senate to move quickly to get her confirmed as soon as possible.”

The 2025 Commodity Classic is right around the corner! NAWG hopes to see you in Denver, CO, from March 2 to 5. When you register, make sure to mark the National Association of Wheat Growers as one of your associations. Please encourage any wheat grower in your state to attend the largest agriculture trade show in the country.

On February 1, President Trump announced he would impose a 25 percent tariff on Canadian and Mexican imports, a 10 percent tariff on Canadian-origin “energy and energy resources,” and a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports. The administration says these tariffs are to be in place until the three countries can uphold their promise of halting illegal immigration and stopping fentanyl and other drugs from entering the country. These new tariffs will be imposed in addition to tariffs (including Section 301 tariffs), which may currently be in place on these goods. By Monday, February 3, President Trump announced an agreement with Mexico and Canada to suspend the tariffs for at least 30 days. However, the new 10 percent tariffs went into effect on February 4. In response, China announced retaliatory tariffs on select American imports, export controls on critical minerals, and an antitrust investigation into Google.

On January 1, Farmers for Free Trade release the following statement in response to the Trump Administration proposed Tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China: “Canada, Mexico and China together buy half of all American ag exports. They are indispensable markets for the livelihood of the American ag economy. Placing tariffs on the three largest export markets for American farmers and ranchers, particularly for an extended period of time, will have severe consequences. American farmers are already struggling. Record-high input costs, declining crop prices, and global supply gluts have created an environment where many farmers are operating at a loss. Adding tariffs to the mix will only exacerbate the situation across much of rural America. As we are already seeing farmers will bear the heaviest burdens from retaliation and will now be an immediate target for steep reciprocal tariffs. Tariffs will also put American farmers at a disadvantage to competitors in South America and other parts of the world who view tariff escalations as an open door to taking our market share. Mexico and Canada have been partners in trade agreements that have grown U.S. ag exports to those countries by nearly 300 percent over recent decades. The President delivered for farmers through USMCA, strengthening the agreement. Under tariffs, that market growth could wither away. Farmers for Free Trade strongly urges the administration to reconsider these proposed tariffs.” NAWG is a member of Farmers for Free Trade.

On January 30, the Senate voted on the nomination of Douglas Burgum of North Dakota to be Secretary of the Interior. Burgum was confirmed with a floor vote of 80-17. On February 3, the Senate voted on Christopher Wright of Colorado to be Secretary of Energy. Wright was confirmed with a vote of 59-38. On February 4, the Senate voted on the nomination of Douglas Collins of Georgia to be Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Collins was confirmed with a vote of 77-23. Additionally, the Senate voted on the nomination of Pamela Bondi of Florida to be Attorney General. Bondi was confirmed with a full Senate vote of 54-46. On February 5, the Senate voted on the nomination of Eric Turner of Texas to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Turner was confirmed with a vote of 55-44. They join Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as confirmed members of Trump’s Administration. 

On February 4, The Senate Committee on Finance voted to advance the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. In a 14-13 vote in favor of Kennedy, all Republicans voted yes, while all Democrats voted no. Senators had the opportunity to speak on their vote before and after. Democrats said they voted no over concerns about Kennedy’s views on vaccines. Republicans defended their vote by stating that no major organization has come forth to oppose his nomination and that “silence is consent.” Kennedy’s nomination now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

On February 5, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced the subcommittee rosters for the 119th Congress. Read the full Subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress below.

On Thursday, February 6, the Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on President Trump’s pick to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador, Jamison Greer. In President Trump’s first administration, Mr. Greer previously served as Chief of Staff to Ambassador Bob Lighthizer. In Mr. Greer’s opening statement, he noted, “[President Trump’s] first term was historic and largely bipartisan with respect to reorienting U.S. trade policy and, if confirmed to this position, I look forward to continuing that work for the President and the American people in close consultation with Congress.”

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. These skills are particularly helpful on the Foundation's budget, finance, and investment committees. Scott has been involved in grain industry leadership since the early 2000s, 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. As seen in the first photo, with Scott as Vice-Chair for the National Wheat Foundation, Jamie Kress as Vice President-Elect of the National Wheat Growers Association, and Clark Hamilton, Chairman of US Wheat Associates, the state of Idaho is leading by example with their involvement and leadership for the wheat industry! The second photo is of Scott and his wife, Diane, when he received the Governor's Award for Lifetime Achievement. Congratulations, Scott!

The website will be open for 2025 entries on March 1, 2025. Until then, you can get ready by renewing your membership with your state wheat grower organization. You must be a member of your state organization to enter the contest. If your state is not a member state of NAWG, you will need to become a member of NAWG. Membership matters! Your state organizations and NAWG are working on your behalf every day so that you have the opportunity to be more productive and profitable on your farm. Renew or join today!