Weekly Update for
March 12

Next week, NAWG will host the National Wheat Improvement Committee for its annual fly-in to Washington, D.C. Wheat farmers and researchers from across the country will meet with Members of Congress and congressional staff to discuss the importance of strong federal investment in wheat research. Research remains one of the most important tools wheat farmers have to remain productive, resilient, and competitive in the global marketplace. These conversations on Capitol Hill are an important opportunity to highlight how continued support for agricultural research directly benefits farmers, rural communities, and the long-term strength of the U.S. wheat industry. We look forward to a productive fly-in and appreciate the continued support of NAWG members in ensuring strong representation for wheat research priorities in Washington.

This week, NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer reflected on the critical role agricultural research plays in keeping U.S. wheat growers competitive. For decades, partnerships between farmers, land-grant universities, and USDA have helped deliver the innovations that improve yields, manage disease, and strengthen our food system. Programs like the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative and the Wheat Resiliency Initiative coordinate research to address the challenges growers face in the field. However, U.S. public investment in agricultural research has declined in recent years even as global competitors increase spending. As Congress begins considering FY27 appropriations, recommitting to these research programs will be essential to maintaining the strength and competitiveness of U.S. wheat production. Read the full blog below.

New federal nutrition guidance is drawing concern from wheat growers after recommending fewer daily grain servings and emphasizing only whole grains. The draft Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggests Americans consume two to four servings of grains per day, all whole grains, replacing the previous recommendation of six servings with at least half whole grains. National Association of Wheat Growers leader warn simplified nutrition messaging could unintentionally discourage consumers from choosing many common wheat foods, including enriched grain products like white bread and tortillas. NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer said growers are frustrated with how the guidance is being communicated. While the full report highlights the nutritional benefits of grains, Kieffer noted most Americans will rely on simplified graphics and messaging, which may lead them to believe foods like white bread should be avoided. “There’s no reason to avoid white bread,” he said, emphasizing that enriched wheat products remain healthy, safe and economical options. Jamie Kress, an Idaho wheat farmer and NAWG president, said the messaging is “a little disheartening” for growers. Kress emphasized that both whole and refined wheat products have an important place in a balanced diet and reflect the nutrition, safety and value wheat farmers work hard to provide. The updated guidance comes as U.S. wheat acreage and per-capita consumption continue to decline, underscoring the importance of balanced messaging about wheat’s role in a healthy diet.

The war in Iran has caught farmers off guard with the near-instant disruption to fertilizer markets. The American Farm Bureau said in a letter to President Donald Trump that the war in Iran and Middle East is hitting “just as America’s farmers begin to out seed in the ground for spring planting.” Fertilizer and fuel prices continue to rise amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, causing mass disruptions to the supply chain. President of the American Farm Bureau Federation and Georgia farmer Zippy Duvall said, “We’re being told that many farmers that haven’t preordered their fertilizer and paid it for may not even obtain the fertilizer they’re going to need during the season and for spring planting.”

Corteva Agriscience is advancing hybrid wheat technology aimed at boosting productivity and narrowing the long‑standing yield gap between wheat and major row crops such as corn and soybeans. The new seed technology, developed through proprietary hybridization methods, offers the potential for significant yield improvements and greater resilience in stressful and water‑limited environments, giving growers a promising new tool to enhance wheat productivity. Hybrid wheat has long been pursued as a way to capture hybrid vigor, similar to what corn growers have benefited from for decades, but wheat’s genetics have posed challenges. Corteva’s progress signals meaningful innovation for wheat breeding and could support future yield stability as hybrid products move closer to commercialization.

On March 9th, a letter from a coalition of 100 U.S. ag groups and companies was sent to the Trump administration urging the backing of  an American candidate to lead the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The coalition of companies and groups sent a letter to President Trump arguing that current Deputy Director General Beth Bechdo; could reform the organization to better support U.S. ag efforts. “An American has not led FAO in more than 70 years, even as the United States remains its largest financial contributor… With Beth at the help, FAO becomes a practical tool for delivering results for America,” said in the letter the coalition sent to President Trump. The current director-general, China’s Qu Dobguy’s, term concluded in summer of 2027; therefore, there will be an election by secret ballot for a new director general. While there is a push for an American director-general, Europe also has its eyes on the FAO top spot, since it’s been 50 years since a European has led the organization. The Irish government said that former European Union Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan is its nominee for director general and has the support of European Union partners.

On March 9th, several analysts and producers said that fertilizer distributors in some areas are not delivering products amid market uncertainty in the Middle East. Many warn that current supply crunch could have log-lasting impacts on U.S. production and prices. Harry Ott, president of South Carolina Farm Bureau told reporters on Monday during a press call, “I called my fertilizer distributor to get a price and some fertilizer delivered, and he said, ‘I’m sorry, we will not price or deliver fertilizer until we see how this shakes out,”. The Straight of Hormuz has been effectively frozen amid security threats and reducing coverage of vessels in the Gulf, this comes following the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran last week. Nitrogen fertilizers are being affected by the closer of the Strait. Saudia Arabia, Iran, Oman, Egypt, and Qatar are all major urea exporters, and the transportation challenges in the Middle East have sent fertilizer prices through the roof. March and April are typically the busiest months for U.S. fertilizer imports, which is posing as a major issue for farmers this season.   “We’re being told that many of our farmers that haven’t pre-ordered their fertilizer and paid for it may not even obtain the fertilizer that they’re going to need during the season or for spring planting”, said American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

On March 5th, President Trump announced that he will be replacing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Republican Oklahoma Republican Markwayne Mullin. President Trump made this announcement in a Truth Social post said he was “pleased to announce that the highly respected United States Senator from the great state of Oklahoma, Markwayne Mullin, will become the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), effective March 31st, 2026.” Trump’s announcement marks the first major shake up to the President’s cabinet. In the same Truth Social post, President Trump said that “the current Secretary, Kristi Noem, who has served us well, and has had numerous and spectacular results (especially on the Border!), will be moving to be Special Envoy for The Sheild of the America’s our new Security Initiatives in the Western Hemisphere we are announcing on Saturday om Doral, Florida. I thank Kristi for her service at ‘Homeland’”. President Trump’s decision follows as some ports of DHS, from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Transportation Security Administration to the Coast Guard, are shut down amid a funding fight over Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Proceeding this announcement, Senator Mullin told reports that he was “excited” about leading DHS and ‘ready to get started.” While Mullin still needs to be confirmed by the Senate, Mullin said, “My focus is to keep the homeland secure,”.  A number of Democrats celebrated the News of Noem’s firing. Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies said at a news conference, “Kristi Noem is gone. Good riddance,”. While there is speculation as to why Noem was dismissed there are several speculations of her misuse of federal funds, and her handling of the murders that took place in Minnesota. Mullin will enter his new position on March 31st, 2026.

The 2026 Iran War has caused major upheavals in the global economy. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively being shut down, responsible for a fifth of the world’s oil transport, prices have surged. On February 27th, a barrel of oil averaged $70 per barrel; on Monday March 9th, prices peaked at $120 per barrel, and settled to $90 per barrel by Tuesday. According to AAA, the average price of U.S. gasoline has risen to $3.48 gallon, an almost half a dollar discrepancy from the average at $3.00 a week prior. With Asia and Europe being more affected by the rising costs, by greater dependence on Middle Eastern oil and gas than the U.S.

Trade in necessary commodities through the Persian Gulf continue to suffer, with deep oil production cuts, the halt of a major refinery and warning of “catastrophic” market impacts. A 3% decline in the market opens in Chicago wheat, before passing losses to trade just .3% lower. Grain and oilseed prices surged in the previous days as the Middle East conflict lifted energy prices and disrupted fertilizer flows. Extreme price volatility has kept many traders on the sidelines, hesitating to finalize strategies as markets swing wildly.

The Wheat Quality Council will once again sponsor the Hard Winter Wheat Tour this May. As in previous years, we will follow our traditional routes, making field stops approximately every 10–15 miles to evaluate the crop along the way. Each car will include experienced participants who can provide guidance and training throughout the day. These tours offer an excellent opportunity to see this year’s crop firsthand while learning in the field about yield estimation, as well as identifying potential insect and disease issues that may affect production. Each evening, participants will gather for dinner and hear reports from every car summarizing the day’s observations. We will also receive updates from crop scouts traveling through Nebraska, Colorado, and Oklahoma during the same time period. Car assignments are shuffled daily, providing a great opportunity to meet and interact with others across the industry. For questions contact Vance Lamb (vance.lamb@ardentmills.com)

We see so many nutrition influencers on social media and sometimes wonder which ones might provide helpful, practical, evidence-based advice. Here are two recommended by our friends at the Grain Foods Foundation: Dr. Charlotte Martin, DCN, RDN @NutritionDaily (Instagram) and Taylor Grasso, RDN @SimplyHealthyRD (Instagram and TikTok).  Please check these out and feel free to like and share.