Weekly Update for
July 30

On July 27, Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar, along with 21 other senators on the Senate Agriculture Committee, sent a letter to Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden expressing concerns about the Department’s proposed reorganization of the Rual Development mission area. The senators warned that additional staffing reductions and employee relocations could hinder the agency’s ability to administer rural housing, business, infrastructure, and community development programs. They requested information on the plan’s impacts, future staffing levels, hiring plans, and technology modernization efforts, with a response requested by August 5.

The Senate Agriculture Committee is expected to release text for a revised farm bill that includes language allowing year-round, nationwide sales of E15, a top priority for biofuel and corn producers. Chairman John Boozman plans to mark up the bill on August 6. While the Senate's E15 provision is expected to differ from the House-passed version, senators continue working on language that can secure bipartisan support.

Last week, an op-ed by House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) was published by MS NOW. "This week, congressional Republicans are trying to jam through their third budget proposal of this Congress. Reconciliation 3.0 includes $12 billion in farm aid, $73 billion in defense spending and $10 billion to implement President Donald Trump’s election-rigging voting restrictions. Put another way: In the last week of legislative business before Congress takes a five-week recess, Republicans are scrambling to pass Trump’s remaining policy priorities,” said Ranking Member Angie Craig.

Spring Wheat Growers please register for an account on the contest website and put in your entries. The deadline is July 31, midnight eastern time. National winners will receive a trip to the Commodity Classic in New Orleans in March 2027.  Even if you don’t win, entering gives you a chance to review all your wheat production practices and see which ones made the most difference on your farm. Contestants report that since they have been participating in the contest their wheat yields on their whole farm have increased!  Vouchers are available for your contest entry fee. Give it a try!

Warning: you might be hungry after looking at the Grain Craft website. Learn all about the different kinds of flour that are used to make the pizza crust. Grain Craft is a partner with the National Wheat Foundation on the National Wheat Yield Contest, and they are extremely helpful in our evaluation of the quality analysis of the national winners’ samples. Thanks Grain Craft!