Weekly Update for
July 18

This week, NAWG staff and officers attended the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Summer Board Meeting held in Boise, Idaho. During the event, NAWG representatives provided updates on the organization’s latest policy initiatives, highlighting key advocacy efforts and priorities impacting wheat growers nationwide. The meeting also offered valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration with wheat producers and agricultural industry leaders from across the country.

This week, stakeholders across the wheat value chain successfully united to encourage the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to release funding for the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI). These funds will now be distributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through existing university cooperative agreements. “We are deeply grateful to the Congressional Appropriations Committees, the Director of OMB, and the Secretary of Agriculture for recognizing the vital importance of sustaining this essential research. Continued support for USWBSI is critical to protecting wheat and barley crops, strengthening food security, and advancing agricultural innovation,” said Pat Clements NAWG President.

On July 16, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit hearing titled, "Financing Farm Operations: The Importance of Credit and Risk Management,". This hearing focused on the severe downturn in the agricultural economy, with witnesses drawing direct parallels to the 1980s farm crisis. The central message was that high input costs and depressed commodity prices—resulting in paper losses of "$180 per acre" for crops like cotton, as noted by Subcommittee Chairman Scott (R-GA-8)—have rendered the 2018 Farm Bill's safety net inadequate. Witnesses and members agreed that ad hoc disaster aid is an unsustainable model and that a predictable, modernized farm bill is urgently needed. The most emphasized issue was the critical need to reform Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan programs. Witnesses and members identified the programs as essential but also "slow and burdensome." Unanimous calls were made to increase FSA loan limits, which Rep. Bost (R-IL-12) stated farmers hit "very quickly," and to streamline the application process. A key question driving the discussion was what specific, actionable changes—beyond just funding increases—could make federal credit and risk management tools more effective and accessible, particularly for beginning farmers who face daunting entry costs.

On July 10, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins issued a statement supporting the Trump Administration’s lawsuit against the State of California for laws that have driven up egg prices. The Department of Justice filed the lawsuit targeting California officials and Proposition 12, which mandates cage-free egg production standards that impact producers across the country. Rollins criticized California’s actions for limiting consumer choice and overstepping federal jurisdiction under the Egg Products Inspection Act. She emphasized the Administration’s commitment to defending national food policy and noted that her five-point plan to fight avian flu and reduce egg prices has already led to a 63% drop in costs.

On July 15, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson delivered his opening statement at a hearing on the role of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, emphasizing the critical importance of NAHLN in protecting U.S. agriculture from animal disease threats. He noted recent outbreaks in poultry and cattle and stressed the dangers posed by foreign animal diseases such as New World Screwworm, Food and Mouth Disease, and African Swine Fever. Thompson praised the network of over 60 state and university labs for their role in surveillance, diagnostics, and education, and celebrated the inclusion of a $10 million annual funding increase for NAHLN in the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill. He expressed hope that these investments will strengthen the network’s capacity and effectiveness for years to come.

On July 15, House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Chairman Tracey Mann opened a hearing on the National Animal Health Laboratory Network by emphasizing its vital role in protecting U.S. livestock from foreign animal diseases. Drawing on his experience growing up on a Kansas farm, Mann highlighted the network’s expansion from 12 to over 60 state and university laboratories since its creation in 2002, praising its ability to detect, respond to, and recover from high-consequence diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever. He credited the success of NAHLN to strong partnerships between federal, state, and academic institutions and noted that the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill includes $10 million in annual funding for NAHLN as part of a larger $233 million investment in national animal health preparedness. Mann expressed pride in the committee’s support for the network and looked forward to learning how the funding will enhance operations and strengthen the nation’s disease response capacity.

On July 15, House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Ranking Member Jim Costa delivered his opening statement at a hearing on the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, emphasizing its vital role in safeguarding the U.S. food supply and responding to animal disease outbreaks. He praised the collaboration between federal and state governments, citing the University of California, Davis as a key player in combating Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Costa criticized the Trump Administration’s decision to cut staff from the network’s central office during an active outbreak, caking it short-sighted and harmful to national disease response efforts. He reaffirmed his support for programs that strengthen diagnostic capabilities and encouraged continued investment in science-based approaches to animal health and food security.

On July 15, U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman outlined in the Washington Reporter the nutrition assistance reforms included in the One Big Beautiful Act, emphasizing the need to improve accountability and reduce waste in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The law, signed by President Trump on Independence Day, requires states with high SNAP error rates to share in the program’s cost, encourages able-bodied adults without dependents to work or pursue training, and limits broad state waivers of federal work requirements. Boozman highlighted that tying benefit increases to inflation prevents unchecked executive expansions and reaffirms SNAP’s role as a temporary support, not a permanent dependency. These changes aim to restore fiscal responsibility, ensure taxpayer dollars are well spent, and help recipients move toward greater self-sufficiency.

On July 15, in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins launched a comprehensive food safety plan at the opening of USDA’s new Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory. The initiative strengthens the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s efforts to combat foodborne illness through enhanced microbiological testing, expanded in-person inspections, upgraded training for inspectors, and improved state partnerships. The new 70,000 square foot lab in Normandy will support detection of pathogens and chemical residues in meat, poultry, and egg products. The plan also includes a revised strategy to reduce Salmonella in poultry by replacing the previous administration’s framework with a more practical, stakeholder-driven approach. Secretary Rollins emphasized the importance of modernizing inspection tools, empowering inspectors to enforce compliance, and supporting over 1,500 small businesses through increased funding and improved state collaboration. These reforms reflect the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthening public health and consumer confidence in the American food supply.

The Northern Crops Institute (NCI) Ag Academy is a four-day immersive career exploration opportunity for high school students that have completed their 9-11 grades in school.  The focus is on this age group so that interest in agriculture as a career can be developed. At the academy, one of three tracks can be chosen for study: Food Science: this track studies the ins and outs of the food science industry Animal Science: NCI’s role is to grow markets for commodities in the region, so this track focuses on how commodities are used in animal diets and nutrition International Trade and Policy: This track studies the complexity of agricultural trade from farm to fork, and policy’s impact on trade The academy embraces that learning is better when it is understood how what is learned applies to the “real world”.  Thus, academy also links the learning with “real world” tours, guests from industry to provide input and interaction, and projects to turn learning into action. There are 15 industry sponsors of the event, including the National Wheat Foundation. Industry has been asking NCI to build this type of activity to create interest in agriculture as a career.  The academy is free to students and includes two college credits upon completion. In addition to the sponsorship, Mark Haugland, a Director with the National Wheat Foundation, participated in an advocacy panel as part of the International Trade and Policy Track. He also interacted with the students at the Career Fair which is held prior to a banquet for the students, staff and industry sponsors.  

Ben Scholz, Secretary and Treasurer of the National Wheat Foundation, joined fellow leaders at the U.S. Wheat Associates Summer Meeting in Boise, Idaho this week, where he and Anne Osborne represented the foundation. At the meeting he noted, “Meetings like this give us the opportunity to align our efforts, share priorities, and work together on behalf of wheat growers across the country.” As a longtime wheat farmer and past NAWG president, Scholz brings both experience and leadership to the table, he has also been actively involved with the Texas Wheat Producers Association, the Cereal Crops Research Institute, Cotton Grower Warehouse Association, Collin County Farm Bureau, and the Collin County Soil and Water Conservation District. Based out of Collins and Hunt counties, Ben Scholz spends his time advocating for wheat growers, as well as growing crops on his own farm, including wheat, grain sorghum, corn, cotton, and soybeans. Scholz has been a contributing factor to NWF success, often learning from and spending time with other key wheat organizations and enacting efforts to work together to benefit wheat producers.

August 1 is the deadline for spring wheat entries for the National Wheat Yield Contest. Please register on the contest website and then put in your entries. We have many partners who will help you by paying your entry fees.  Check out the contest website below.