Weekly Update for
March 26

On March 24th, the National Association of Wheat Growers released a new report highlighting the significant burden that countervailing duties (CVD) on phosphate fertilizer imports have been placed on U.S. wheat farmers. The report finds that these duties have greatly increased fertilizer costs, contributing to nearly $1 billion in additional expenses for wheat growers, alone, between 2021 and 2025. “Out on the farm, every dollar matters. When input costs like fertilizer spike, it’s not just a line on a balance sheet, it shapes decisions we make for our crops, our land, and our families. For years now, farmers have been dealing with stubbornly high input costs that continue to squeeze farm budgets and make it increasingly difficult to maintain a family business,” said Jamie Kress, NAWG President and Idaho farmers. “We can’t control global markets or supply disruptions, but we can take a hard look at policies here at home that are making it more expensive to grow the food Americans rely on. Countervailing duties on fertilizer have added real costs for wheat growers in Idaho and across the country. Rolling those back is a practical, immediate step to help farmers stay competitive and keep growing the highest quality wheat in the world.”

This week, NAWG President Jamie Kress traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in National Agriculture Day celebrations. She joined the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) official National Ag Day event, themed “Together We Grow: Celebrating 250 Years of Progress in Agriculture.” During the event, Kress participated in a panel discussion alongside National Pork Producers Council President Rob Brenneman and American Soybean Association President Dave Walton. The panel highlighted the value of agriculture in America from a variety of industry perspectives, emphasizing the progress made across the sector, the challenges that remain, and opportunities for collaboration to strengthen and grow U.S. agriculture. Throughout the week, Jamie also met with officials from federal agencies and Congress to discuss key issues impacting wheat growers and the broader agricultural community.

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) proudly sponsored the 2026 annual Feeding the Economy Annual Report, a comprehensive analysis of the economic contributions of the U.S. food and agriculture supply chain. This year’s report examines key indicators across the industry, including employment, wages, economic output, business taxes, and exports. By compiling state-by-state data, the study provides a detailed picture of how agriculture and food systems drive economic success nationwide. The findings underscore the significant role the sector plays in the U.S. economy. Of the nation’s 48.7 million jobs, more than 24.2 million—nearly half—are supported by the food and agriculture industries. Similarly, the sector contributes $1.08 trillion of the $3.01 trillion in total U.S. wages. In terms of overall economic output, food and agriculture account for $4.33 trillion out of $10.42 trillion nationwide. The analysis spans the full agricultural value chain, from farms and ranches to food manufacturing, processing, retail, and restaurant establishments—demonstrating the far-reaching impact of the industry. “Agriculture is the backbone of the U.S. economy, and these numbers illustrate just how critical the women and men of the food and farm sector are to the overall picture. From wheat farmers and food scientists to the hardworking people throughout the entire food value chain, many may view their contributions as small or inconsequential. In reality, as the Feeding the Economy report makes clear, they are the food heroes and economic engines strengthening their communities and fueling growth far beyond,” said Sam Kieffer, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

On March 25, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an emergency waiver allowing nationwide sales of E15 gasoline during the 2026 summer driving season, beginning May 1. The action removes seasonal restrictions on higher ethanol blends to help stabilize fuel supplies and lower costs for consumers. For agriculture, the decision provides a positive demand signal for the biofuels sector and the crops that support it. Expanded E15 availability increases ethanol use, strengthening domestic markets for farmers and supporting rural economies tied to fuel production. While the waiver is welcomed across agriculture, farm groups continue to emphasize the need for a permanent, year-round E15 policy to provide greater long-term certainty for producers.

On March 24th, House Agriculture Committee ranking member Angie Craig (D-MN) released a statement following administrative cuts to the increasing land, capital and market access program (LCMAP). “Once again, the Trump administration has turned its back on America’s farmers. Instead of focusing on lowering input costs for farm families by ending Trump’s inflationary tariffs and the war in Iran- which has sent prices for fertilizer and fuel skyrocketing – the Trump administration think it is more important to rescind funding for a program passed by Congress that helps farmers buy and retain farmland. Even if farmers cannot rely on an unpredictable president, they should be able to rely on the administration to uphold the law. This is a total slap in the face for farmers and will not withstand legal scrutiny. The American people deserve better.,” Ranking Member Craig said in a press release for the House Agriculture Committee democrats.

In preparation for the World Trade Organization’s 14th ministerial conference, the Trump administration outline its thinking on several potential areas of reform for the body. The U.S. shared a report on Monday at the WTO which insists the organization needs to bolster incentives for economies o report trade actions, create clear criteria for those seeking to qualify for special treatment under WTO agreements, find a way to incorporate plurilateral; agreements among like-minded countries into the body and revisit the most-favored nation principle promoting equal treatment of all trading partners. “The WTO need to change if it intends to have any relevance as the international trading system transitions to focus on reciprocity and balance… the United States, with the report, continues to lead on concrete proposals to promote member-driven reform discussions,” said U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement announcing the report.

On March 23rd, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH), vice ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, told Agri-Pulse’s annual Ag and Food Policy Summit that farmers are under pressure from higher input costs and the loss of market exports. Different commodity groups have focused on removal of the duties on phosphates from Russa and Morocco to address the high prices associated with the closure of the Straight of Hormuz from the war in Iran. “We should also be prioritizing logistics by ensuring that port capacity and transportation are not bottlenecks at the worst possible time,” said Congresswoman Brown. At the National Press Club, Brown told the audience “We are waking up to the fact that the instability around the Strait of Hormuz is not just a foreign policy issue. It is a domestic issue.” Brown also said that farm bill legislation needs to delay changes to SNAP, who is joined by Senator Klobuchar in criticizing new SNAP cost-share provisions for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However, neither House Ag Committee Chair Glen “GT” Thompson or Senate Ag Committee Chair John Boozman indicated that they were willing to change their stances on rolling back OBBBA changes. Brown claims one of the reasons she wanted to sit on the House Ag committee was the committee’s reputation for bipartisanship.

On March 25th, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, nutrition, and forestry released a statement responding to the Environmental Protection Agency emergency waiver on allowing the sale of E15 year-round. Senator Klobuchar said in a press release, “I called for the Administration to allow for year-round sales of E15 in order to bring down prices at the pump and support our farmers,” said Klobuchar. “As consumers and farmers are facing higher costs because of the war in Iran, this is an important step to provide some relief. Every cent saved at the pump can make a real difference. We now must take action in Congress to ensure energy security in the long term and pass my bipartisan legislation to permanently allow for the sale of nationwide, year-round E15.” In 2023, Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Klobuchar reintroduced bipartisan legislation to make E15 available all year. The Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2023 would enable the year-round sale of ethanol blends higher than %10, aiding in lower fuel prices and providing certainty in fuel markets for farmers and consumers.

On March 25th, House Agriculture Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) released the below statement following the Trump administration’s announcement of an emergency waiver for the sale of summer E15. “While a temporary waiver for the summer sale of E15 is welcome news and will bolster domestic markets for corn and sorghum farmers and hopefully provide some relief at the pump, it falls far short of the promise of permanent year-round E15. House Democrats have urged the Republican majority to make year-round E15 the law of the land. What are Republicans waiting for? Hardworking people in this country are struggling with Trump’s cost of living crisis – from health care to groceries to energy bills to child care – and it is time that Congress put up or shut up by putting legislation for permanent year-round E15 to a vote of the full House.”

On March 25th, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) announced the official placement of Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) to the House Committee on Agriculture. "On behalf of the House Committee on Agriculture, I would like to extend a warm welcome to Rep. Valadao,” Chairman Thompson said. “As a producer who understands the ins and outs of a family operation, Mr. Valadao appreciates the opportunities and challenges facing farm country, and this is reflected in how deeply he cares about his community and the greater agricultural industry. I can think of no one better suited to carry on Doug LaMalfa’s legacy of being a true advocate for California agriculture. While a new addition to the agriculture committee, Rep. Valadao is no stranger to supporting our farm families in the halls of Congress. I look forward to seeing how he makes his mark on the work of the committee.”

On March 26, House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced the bipartisan Fertilizer Transparency Act. “President Trump’s tariffs and war with Iran have increased fertilizer costs even as farmers lose markets and commodity prices remain low, putting farmers in an impossible position. We need better insight into fertilizer markets to ensure farmers are getting a fair price for the tools they need to grow our food. I am proud to champion the Fertilizer Transparency Act to increase transparency in fertilizer markets for our nation’s farmers,” said Ranking Member Craig. This legislation aims to create a mandatory price reporting system to level the playing field and give market participants access to crucial information on fertilizer components, ensuring fairer pricing and more transparency for farmers and agri-businesses who rely on accurate and timely information to make business decisions. Read more about this legislation below.

Registration is now open for the Northern Crops Institute’s fourth annual Summer Ag Academy! The Ag Academy takes place from June 22nd though 26th, on the campus of North Dakota State University. This is a free, week-long immersive experience that will welcome 60 high school students to explore career pathways in food science, animal science, internation trade, and our newest track, ag technology! Students will engage with industry professionals and tour world-class facilities. Participants will also have the opportunity to earn college credits upon completion of the program. Registration is open until all spots have been filled!

Easter is coming up soon and our friends at Home Baking Association have you covered with recipes you will love. Easter – whether its hot cross buns or broccoli cheese strata, you will be sure to enjoy the easy-to-follow recipes with photos on the HBA website.