Weekly Update for
June 25

On June 23, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released draft text for Farm Bill 2.0. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) CEO Sam Kieffer provided the following statement. “We are encouraged to see Chairman Boozman continue moving the farm bill process forward with the release of draft legislative text. Wheat farmers need certainty as they contend with stubbornly high input costs, commodity prices that barely break even, and ongoing volatility in global markets. NAWG is reviewing the proposal to assess how it addresses wheat growers’ needs, including crop insurance, the farm safety net, trade, research, conservation, and humanitarian programs that move U.S. grain. We look forward to working with Congress and the White House to get this legislation across the finish line this year."

This week, Ryan Poe, NAWG Board Member and DTPC Chair, was featured in an NPR article discussing the ongoing challenges farmers face from elevated fertilizer prices. Despite a tentative peace agreement between Iran and Israel and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, Poe reported that fertilizer costs at the farm level have shown little sign of easing. According to NPR, many Midwestern farmers had locked in fertilizer prices before the shipping disruptions and also benefited from access to Canadian fertilizer supplies. However, Poe said his fertilizer expenses remain approximately 23% higher than pre-conflict levels. Reflecting on the financial strain facing producers, Poe noted that “there’s been no change in fertilizer price” and warned that continued input cost pressures are making agriculture increasingly difficult and could push more farmers out of the industry.

On June 25, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Monsanto/Bayer in Durnell v. Monsanto Co., holding that the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) preempts state-law failure-to-warn claims based on pesticide labeling when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not required the warning at issue. The decision provides important clarity regarding the relationship between federal pesticide regulation and state tort law, reaffirming EPA’s authority to establish labeling requirements based on scientific review and risk assessment. The ruling helps ensure a consistent national framework for pesticide labeling and regulation. “This decision is a win for farmers and the broader agricultural community,” said Sam Kieffer, NAWG CEO. “Farmers depend on clear, predictable, science-based regulations and continued access to effective crop protection tools. Today’s decision reaffirms that an EPA-approved label, based on a rigorous scientific review process, is the law. NAWG continues to support a regulatory system grounded in sound science, transparency, and consistency.”

This week, NAWG President Jamie Kress and CEO Sam Kieffer attended the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Summer Board of Directors Meeting in Fargo, North Dakota. The meeting brought together wheat growers, industry leaders, and USW staff to discuss current market conditions, export opportunities, and challenges facing the U.S. wheat industry. The discussions highlighted the importance of collaboration across the industry to strengthen export markets and advance policies that support U.S. wheat producers.

This week, Gary Millershaski, a wheat farmer from Lakin, Kansas, took the gavel as chairman of the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Board of Directors at the organization’s summer meeting in Fargo, North Dakota. “Gary has been an active board member and a valuable voice on the officer team – he is a strong representative for U.S. wheat farmers,” said USW President and CEO Mike Spier. “He has visited many global markets and established relationships with wheat buyers around the world. This kind of engagement serves the mission of USW to build export demand for wheat. We look forward to his continued contributions to our work that benefits wheat farmers in his home state of Kansas and states across the country.” Read U.S. Wheat Associates’ full statement below.

On June 23, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman released draft text for a new farm bill, marking a significant step forward in congressional efforts to reauthorize federal agriculture programs. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson welcomed the proposal and expressed support for working with Chairman Boozman to send a farm bill to President Trump’s desk. Senate Agriculture Committee Democrats acknowledged that the draft includes several bipartisan provisions but raised concerns that it does not address recent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reductions or the state cost-sharing requirements enacted under H.R. 1. Despite these concerns, Democrats reiterated their commitment to negotiating a bipartisan farm bill that supports both farmers and families. Similarly, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig emphasized the need for a bipartisan approach, arguing that any final package should address the estimated $187 billion in SNAP cuts and the unfunded mandates placed on states through H.R. 1. Chairman Boozman highlighted the draft’s focus on strengthening the agricultural economy, improving risk management tools, and enhancing the long-term resilience of the agricultural sector.

This week, the Main Street Competition Coalition (MSCC), of which NAWG is a member, welcomed House passage of the bipartisan Main Street Competes Act (H.R. 8882). The legislation would strengthen the Small Business Administration’s role in promoting competition in the marketplace and assess whether antitrust enforcement is supporting opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs. NAWG and other coalition members support efforts to promote fair and competitive markets, consumer choice, and economic opportunity. Read the full press release below.

Afia Twumwaa Agyemang-Duah is an intern with the National Wheat Foundation, where she works with the foundation's Executive Director, Anne Osbourne, on the National Wheat Yield Contest. She was born and raised in Ghana, a country known for its rich culture and warm hospitality. Ghana is also one of the world's leading producers of cocoa, which is the foundation of the world's chocolate. A fun fact about Afia is that she loves cooking and trying new recipes. She also has a strong interest in agricultural risk and crop insurance, and she enjoys working with numbers and data. During her internship, she helps with the profitability analysis of the contest, comparing high-yielding contest fields to relevant production benchmarks using yield, price, and cost data.

On Monday, June 22, the National Wheat Foundation (NWF) in partnership with Maryland wheat grower Eric Spates, hosted its annual educational wheat farm tour for congressional staff, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees, University of Maryland personnel, and other stakeholders interested in learning more about modern wheat production. Eric Spates took time out from his busy harvest season to host the event. Eric serves as a Board member on several state and national farm organizations including the National Association of Wheat Growers, Maryland Grain Producers Association, Montgomery County Farm Bureau, Montgomery County Weed Control, and Edward B Byrd Charitable Foundation. “I enjoy demonstrating wheat farming and discussing some of the complex challenges we face as farmers,” said Eric Spates, Maryland farmer and National Association of Wheat Growers board member. “I appreciate the many experts who participated in the tour and support our operation in areas ranging from production and conservation to risk management and business planning.” The tour was designed to provide participants with a greater appreciation for the complexity of modern farming and the broad network of professionals who work alongside producers to help deliver food, feed, fuel, and fiber. Attendees also had the opportunity to observe firsthand the stewardship practices farmers use to protect and enhance natural resources, including soil, water, air, and wildlife habitat. Participants observed wheat harvest firsthand and asked detailed questions about programs available to farmers, including crop insurance, One Farmer One File, EQIP, and others.” “Nothing replaces the experience of standing in a wheat field and seeing firsthand the decisions, partnerships, and investments that go into producing a successful crop,” said Scott Brown, Idaho wheat farmer and Chairman of the National Wheat Foundation. “Farmers work every day to balance productivity, conservation, and risk management while providing a safe and abundant food supply. Tours like this help connect policymakers and agricultural stakeholders with the realities of farming and build a greater understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing American agriculture.” You can read the full press release below.