Weekly Update for
March 5

The February edition of the NAWG podcast comes to you from the 2026 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, where we sat down with leaders from across the wheat industry to talk about the moments and decisions shaping the wheat industry. We begin with a conversation on major developments involving Bayer, including a proposed Roundup settlement and a new Executive Order signed by President Trump affecting key farm inputs. Then, we reflect on leadership and legacy with outgoing National Wheat Foundation Chairman Gary Broyles and the impact of the National Wheat Yield Contest. Finally, outgoing National Association of Wheat Growers President Pat Clements shares highlights from Commodity Classic and his time serving wheat growers nationwide. It’s a conversation about challenges, progress, and the men and women at the heart of wheat production.

This week, the House Committee on Agriculture passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) with a vote of 34-17. In response, National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President and Idaho farmer Jamie Kress made the following statement: “NAWG thanks Chairman Thompson for his leadership in moving the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 forward. Wheat farmers continue to face rising supply costs, low commodity prices, and uncertainty in global markets. We applaud the Committee’s work and bipartisan support to provide much-needed certainty. But Congress’ farm bill work has just begun. NAWG encourages Speaker Johnson to bring the farm bill to House floor and we call on Members of Congress to support its passage. By advancing this legislation, Congress can address key priorities for wheat farmers including modernizing the Farm Credit title, permanently transferring Food for Peace to USDA, strengthening trade promotion programs, reauthorizing CRP, and ensuring science-based labeling for crop protection tools. These provisions matter to farmers across the country, and we look forward to working together with the House and Senate to get them across the finish line.

The Senate Farm Bill closely resembles that of the House Agriculture Committee Farm, Food and National Security Act; however, the Senate Farm Bill could include language to authorize year-round E-15 sales, said Senator John Hoeven (R- ND). Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) told reporters that he is aiming to introduce and mark up a Senate farm bill in the near future. Senator Hoeven said “We meet with GT. We’re on the same page”, referring to Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA). One key difference between the Senate and House versions of the farm bill is the inclusion of E15 sales year-round. House Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Stephania Bice (R-OK) missed the February 15th deadline to draft a new E15 proposal, so language regarding year-round E15 sales is anticipated greatly. Any proposed Senate Farm Bill would need to garner a minimum of 60 votes, so Democrat support is needed. “Part of the challenge is getting them [Democrats] on board… I think E15 may help,” said Senator Hoeven.

The Trump Administration said in an annual list of priorities and claim to “double down” on the president’s tariffs, dealmaking, and strengthening of domestic mineral production. One of the first documents published from the Trump administration when he took office was the “America First” trade policy. The United States Trade Representatives 2025 trade policy agenda made the ideological case for why the U.S. needed to take renewed interest in producing more of what the country consumes. In 2026, with Democrats attributing the rising cost of living to tariffs and the looming mid-term elections, the administration is signaling that it will replicate its tariff policy from the first year while it cuts limited deals. The 2026 agenda said, “Tariff and non-tariff barriers that have harmed American exports and workers for decades are finally being resolved… all while retaining the tariffs needed for our reindustrialization.”

On March 4th, United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, joined by United States Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and National Nutrition Advisor at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Dr. Ben Carson announced the USDA’s commencement of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Strategic Partnerships. This is an effort to encourage the private sector to participate in educating thew American people about the importance of guidelines and how they serve the foundation to better eating. Secretary Rollins signed SNAP restriction waivers for Kansas, Nevada, Ohio and Wyoming, and the event also featured an update on the impending Stocking Standards final rule. “The Make America Healthy Again movement has brought together the private sector, including retailers, the medical community, farmers, rancher, producers, and the media to play a key role in encouraging healthier families and healthier communities,” said Secretary Rollins. “Today’s announcement not only invites the private sector to educate on the importance of the DGAs, but also adds four new States to SNAP restriction waivers, and highlights the impending rule that will increase the number of real food options retailers must carry. Real food is the foundation of healthier families and healthier communities.” "As National Nutrition Advisor to the Department of Agriculture, I commend Secretary Rollins’ work to Make America Healthy Again," said Dr. Carson. "For over 12 years, minimum stocking standards in retailers have been debated. This impending rule is practical, doable, and will provide families with new, more healthful choices no matter where they shop. Complementing this are four new restriction waivers, making certain highly processed junk food is not eligible for purchase with taxpayer-funded SNAP benefits."

On March 4th, Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced the date of a hearing on strengthening domestic consumption of American agricultural products. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, March 10th at 3:00 p.m. The committee will hear from a variety of ag stakeholders, including President of the American Farm Bureau Federations Zippy Duvall, President of the American Soybean Association Scott Metzger, CEO of International Fresh Produce Association Cathy Burns, President of the National Corn Growers Association Jed Bower, Chairman of the National Cotton Council Nathan Reed, and President of the North Dakota Farmers Union Matt Perdue.

On March 4th, USDA’s undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, Luke Lindberg, told lawmakers that the department will hire additional staff to help administer foreign food aid. The Trump administration temporarily transferred Food for Peace program to USDA from the State Department amid USAID’s elimination. Former contractors and officials expressed concerns about USDA’s ability to efficiently run the program. Several democratic representatives shared these concerns during a hearing on Wednesday, March 4th, specifically USDA’s shrunken workforce in the interim. Around 150 officers are employed through the USDA who work aboard, who “focus on trade policy, not humanitarian assistance,” said Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL). Lindberg said that USDA does have locally employed staff, but he added that the department is planning on taking more employees to help administer international food aid programs. Officials are still evaluating their staffing needs and the volume of additional staff, and their roles will depend on which countries become the focus of future food aid efforts.

On March 4th, USDA’s undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, Luke Lindberg, told lawmakers that the department will hire additional staff to help administer foreign food aid. The Trump administration transferred Food For Peace program to USDA from the State Department amid USAID’s elimination. Former contractors and officials expressed concerns about USDA’s ability to efficiently run the program. Several democratic representatives shared these concerns during a hearing on Wednesday, March 4th, specifically USDA’s shrunken workforce in the interim. Around 150 officers are employed through the USDA who work aboard, who “focus on trade policy, not humanitarian assistance,” said Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL). Lindberg said that USDA does have locally employed staff, but he added that the department is planning on taking more employees to help administer international food aid programs. Officials are still evaluating their staffing needs and the volume of additional staff, and their roles will depend on which countries become the focus of future food aid efforts.

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) finalized crop insurance prices for the 2026 crop year, establishing the revenue guarantees farmers will use to manage risk. Farm Bureau reviews farm bill-related risk management tools for corn, soybeans and wheat for the 2026 crop year, including crop insurance as well as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.

Please check out the Progressive Farmer this month for all about wheat and the National Wheat Yield Contest. There is also great information on the special section of the website that gives a great deal of information about the contest and our great contest partners who help with this special effort: BASF, Dyna-Gro, and WestBred. Thank you, partners, and Progressive Farmer.

The contest website, www.wheatcontest.org, is now accepting 2026 entries. First, you need to register for an account, then you can begin putting in your entries. There are a few changes to the rules so everyone should read through the 2026 rules. Membership in NAWG is a requirement for contestants. You are a NAWG member if you are a member of your state organization that is also a member of NAWG. Please renew or join before putting in your entries. As always, the contest field must be planted with professionally produced, certified, branded and newly purchased wheat seed. Qualified seed will be verified upon entry by attaching a proof of purchase. The deadline for Winter Wheat entries is May 15, 2026.