Weekly Update for
July 2

In this episode of the NAWG podcast, we begin with a conversation featuring Ryan Almos, Commercial Vice President at Ardent Mills, who shares an update on the current state of flour production. Next, we catch up with Aaron Harries, Kansas Wheat’s Vice President of Research and Operations, to discuss the Wheat Quality Council's 2026 Hard Red Winter Wheat Tour and the insights it provided into this year's crop. We wrap up the episode with National Wheat Foundation Chairman Scott Brown, who reflects on this year's Farm Tour held at the Spates Farm in Poolesville, Maryland, and highlights the importance of connecting policymakers with wheat farmers.

On June 29, President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending duties on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco, helping ensure American farmers have timely access to critical fertilizer supplies. “This is welcome relief for America’s wheat farmers,” said NAWG President and Idaho farmer Jamie Kress. “Family farms like mine have been operating on razor-thin margins for several years, and fertilizer remains one of our most significant production expenses. While farmers cannot control global markets or supply chain disruptions, actions like this help reduce input costs and provide greater certainty during periods of volatility. Suspending these duties will help keep American farmers economically viable and competitive in the global marketplace.” In March 2026, NAWG urged the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to revoke countervailing duty (CVD) orders on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco and Russia, citing the significant economic burden the duties placed on U.S. wheat producers. NAWG encouraged the Commission to consider the effects of higher fertilizer costs on American agriculture and the competitiveness of U.S. farmers.

On June 30, Bayer Crop Science filed a petition with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) seeking tariffs on glyphosate products imported from China. Bayer argues that the imports have made it more difficult for U.S.-based crop protection manufacturers to compete profitably. In response, National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Sam Kieffer expressed the organization's opposition to the proposed tariffs, stating they could further increase input costs for wheat producers who are already facing high production expenses, weak commodity prices, and continued market uncertainty. Read NAWG’s full press release below.

On June 30, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced two separate actions affecting U.S. wheat growers: the final registration of several new and innovative crop protection tools and a forthcoming effort to gather input from farmers and other agricultural stakeholders on registered pre-harvest desiccation uses. The new registrations will provide wheat growers with additional tools to manage weeds, protect yields, and support the production of safe, nutritious, high-quality wheat. Separately, EPA announced that it will seek stakeholder input as the agency reviews available data related to registered pre-harvest desiccation uses. That review follows President Trump’s executive order directing the EPA Administrator to ensure those uses remain aligned with applicable safety and environmental standards, including accurate product labeling. Read NAWG’s full press release below.

On July 2, in a letter led by Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02), members of the House Agriculture Committee urged the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and USDA to listen to agricultural stakeholders and bipartisan lawmakers on the importance of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The letter follows President Trump’s decision not to renew the trade agreement in its current form, which fosters billions of dollars in agricultural trade between the United States and its North American neighbors. The lawmakers wrote: “USMCA provides markets and opportunities for U.S. agriculture, contributing to increased exports, stability and jobs. Since USMCA was enacted in 2020, Mexico and Canada have collectively scaled up imports of U.S. agricultural goods by $20 billion, totaling $60 billion in 2024. Economic models show that in 2024 alone, agricultural and seafood exports to Canada and Mexico generated $149 billion in total economic contribution to the U.S. economy, supporting nearly half a million American jobs and generating $36 billion in wages.”

On June 29, the Agriculture Coalition for USMCA submitted a letter signed by 2,376 farmers urging President Trump to renew USMCA while pursuing targeted improvements. The letter highlighted the agreement's role in expanding agricultural trade with Canada and Mexico, noting that the two countries account for more than one-third of U.S. agricultural exports and have generated more than $60 billion in U.S. agricultural exports since USMCA took effect in 2020. With the required review of the agreement beginning July 1, agricultural organizations are emphasizing the importance of renewing USMCA to preserve market certainty and strengthen North American trade for U.S. producers.

On June 30, EPA announced it will host a roundtable later this summer to examine the safety of the herbicide paraquat, bringing together scientists, industry representatives, farmworker advocates, and other stakeholders. The discussion will focus on the latest scientific research, documented safety concerns, and potential alternatives as EPA continues its review of the herbicide. The agency also announced it is requiring paraquat manufacturers to conduct additional field studies to better understand real-world volatility and potential inhalation exposure, with the resulting data to be made publicly available for review.

The Wheat Quality Council’s Spring wheat and durum tour is coming up in 3 weeks. Please register now if you can attend. The tour follows routes across the state, and you will ride with different people each day. Get a firsthand look at the spring wheat crop this year and meet new people on the Wheat Tour. Registration and information found on the Wheat Quality Council website.

To enter the National Wheat Yield Contest, please go to the website, create an account and put your entries in. If you want to have your seed dealer or agronomist or other trusted advisor, put in your entries, you need to create an account first, then share your log in information with your trusted advisor. They can log in as you and put in your information. For Spring Wheat growers in ND, MN, MT, SD you can also enter the pilot digital yield category. Entry fees are $100, but our great partners have vouchers for you to use when you enter. You must be a member of NAWG to enter the contest.

Across the country, wheat growers continue to push for higher yields, stronger standability, and improved consistency year after year. At Dyna‑Gro, we are proud to support that progress with a diverse portfolio of winter and spring wheat varieties designed to perform across a wide range of environments. Our breeding and selection process focuses on the trait’s growers tell us matter most: strong emergence, dependable disease tolerance, and the ability to maintain performance under variable conditions. Whether growers are managing dryland acres, irrigated systems, or high‑management contest fields, Dyna‑Gro offers options that fit their goals. In recent seasons, Dyna‑Gro varieties have been planted across key wheat producing regions, delivering the kind of performance that helps growers stay competitive. Many of our varieties have been used in yield contests, on farm trials, and university plots. This gives growers confidence that they are planting genetics with a proven track record. As growers look ahead to the coming season, we encourage them to explore the National Wheat Yield Contest and consider entering their fields. The contest is a strong opportunity to benchmark performance, learn from top yielding growers, and highlight the innovation happening across wheat country. To learn more about Dyna‑Gro wheat varieties and find the right fit for your acres, visit our website or connect with your local Nutrien Ag Solutions Crop Consultant. We are committed to supporting growers with the seed, agronomic insights, and tools they need to succeed from planting through harvest. Together, we can continue raising the bar for wheat performance nationwide.