Weekly Update for
March 7

NAWG Past President Brent Cheyne shares about his year as NAWG president, and CEO of Industry Partner Farm Credit Council, Todd Van Hoose, explains the Farm Credit system and new mental health partnerships. Dr. Clayton Nevins from Pivot Bio shares about the science behind their Nitrogen solutions. Farm Family Wellness Alliance Phone Number: (833) 999-3276

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) elected Keeff Felty as President during their 2024 Annual Conference in Houston, Texas. Felty is a fourth-generation farmer in the Altus area of Oklahoma. He farms cotton, sesame, and pastureland along with his wheat crops. He brings experience from his time with the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association and the Oklahoma State Support Committee Cotton Incorporated, and he has served on various commodity committees within the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. “I am looking forward to working with wheat growers and lawmakers to ensure wheat voices are heard during the renewal of the Farm Bill,” said NAWG President and Oklahoma wheat farmer Keeff Felty. “As we continue into 2024, it is critical that industry continue to urge lawmakers to consider a Farm Bill that protects crop insurance, strengthens the farm safety net, and increases funding for our trade promotion programs. It is an honor to be elected as president of NAWG, and I look forward to working with commodity leaders to support agriculture and rural America.” NAWG’s Board of Directors elected its new board of officers with Pat Clements of Kentucky elected as Vice President, Jamie Kress from Idaho as Treasurer, and Nathan Keane of Montana as the new Secretary. Brent Cheyne of Oregon transitioned into the Past President position. Steve Sheffels of Montana was also elected to the NAWG budget committee.

Thank you to everyone who traveled to Houston for the NAWG Annual Conference and Commodity Classic tradeshow! The annual conference showcased a hugely successful National Wheat Yield Contest Reception by the National Wheat Foundation and Project Manager Anne Osborne, and the NAWG President’s Reception recognized Oregon wheat grower Brent Cheyne’s year of service. The WheatPAC auction raised over $53,000! Thank you to all sponsors and those who participated in the event! NAWG hosted FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux, NRCS Chief Terry Cosby, and RMA Administrator Marcia Bunger at a USDA Panel, and USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie and Rural Minds founder and Chairman Jeff Winton at the Board of Directors meeting. Brent Cheyne, then NAWG President, participated in many interviews, including with Agri-Pulse Newsmakers and the Grower Leader Panel at the General Session. NAWG CEO Chandler Goule interviewed with Ag Day TV, RFD TV, among others, and moderated the Commodity Classic General Session Fireside Chat with Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Michael Regan.

This year's Commodity Classic crowd set a record as members of the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and Association of Equipment Manufacturers gathered in Houston. Leaders of all five organizations sat down with Agri-Pulse Newsmakers at the Pivot Bio booth on the trade show floor to discuss the farm bill, government funding, trade, regulatory issues and more.

On March 6, the House of Representatives passed a package of six fiscal year (FY) 2024 appropriations bill – which includes an agriculture appropriations bill – by a vote of 339 to 85. The package now awaits consideration by the full Senate. Specifically, the agriculture appropriations component maintains the FY2023 funding levels. However, of interest included in the package is funding for one of NAWG’s appropriations priorities, the Wheat Resiliency Initiative (WRI), which increases federal funding for pest and disease challenges facing producers. Additionally, the bill maintains funding for the US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative and Small Grains Genomic Initiative. “NAWG is glad to see the FY2024 appropriations package includes several wheat priorities, including initial funding for the first time the Wheat Resiliency Initiative,” said NAWG Vice President of Policy and Communications Jake Westlin. “In two weeks, NAWG will be back on Capitol Hill to discuss FY2025 appropriations and will work to continue to build a coalition to enhance funding for wheat research needs.”

On March 6, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a final regulation on the disclosure of climate related risk and greenhouse gas emissions for medium and large companies. The SEC dropped the proposed requirements impacting agriculture (Scope 3 emissions) in the final regulation. NAWG fought against the proposal from 2022 that would have required companies to report greenhouse gas emissions reaching down to on-farm agriculture commodity production. NAWG also supported legislative efforts that would have restricted the SEC from taking actions that impacted agriculture. Large companies will be required to report the legally binding information in 2026 and medium sized companies will report starting in 2028.

This evening, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, President Biden will deliver a State of the Union address, in a high-profile annual address during this election year. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Tuesday that this was a big moment for the president, and he looks forward to talking about the accomplishments that he’s made while looking towards the vision he has for the future. The president is expected to talk about infrastructure spending, scrapping junk fees, and making the wealthy and corporations pay more in taxes.

On March 1, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan announced that the agency is establishing a new office to expand feedback and engagement with agricultural and rural communities. This will be the first ever EPA Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and this represents the current administration’s effort to improve environmental stewardship as well as economic opportunity for rural America. The announcement also carries another historic first, with it being announced at Commodity Classic in Houston, making Regan the first EPA Administrator to make the journey to a Commodity Classic event. Rod Snyder, who has served as Regan’s Senior Advisor since October 2021, will lead the new office to offer science-based solutions that are economically feasible for farmers and ranchers to implement and are environmentally sustainable.

On March 4, general enrollment for the Conservation Reserve Program (General CRP) opened and will remain open through March 29, 2024. CRP is offered through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and is one of the largest private land conservation programs in the United States. Reach out to your local USDA or FSA office with any questions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy launched a new initiative on February 26 to help cut the costs of farming and increase the use of renewable technologies through the Rural and Agricultural Income and Savings from Renewable Energy Initiative (RAISE). Most of the technology invested in for this initiative is wind turbine that is funded by the administration’s Inflation Reduction Act at $144 million. The overall program funds small-scale wind turbines on farming operations to cut costs over time. Another option looks to install a larger turbine for farms in the area to use to reduce reliance on local electric grids. As of now, the USDA Rural Development office provides loans and grants to allow for this initiative and others to expand outreach throughout rural America.

Last week, Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small led the USDA’s first agribusiness trade mission to Angola, which was accompanied by companies and organizations, including U.S. Wheat Associate’s Vice Chairman Clark Hamilton (ID). This mission joined U.S. delegates to meet with potential buyers from Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the goal of locating opportunities to expand American imports to these areas. Imports on wheat are dominated by the European Union, but Angola’s use of hard red winter wheat for Lebanese-style breads could mean a market opportunity for U.S. wheat. As discussions continue, the price of American wheat is a top hurdle. “But I think in the near future there could be more desire to use the high-quality wheat we grow for food products,” Hamilton said. “It is a growing country that has tremendous potential. For U.S. wheat, it is smart to be in an advantageous position when the market is ready.”

On March 1, the Office of the United States Trade Representative released President Biden’s 2024 Trade Policy Agenda and the 2023 Annual Report to Congress. The agenda stands up for workers’ rights and sustainable trade practices, supports U.S. Farmers, ranchers, fishers, and food manufacturers, bolsters supply chain resilience, addresses unfair policies and practices, and expands trade avenues. Here are some of the trade arrangements mentioned in the agenda: the U.S.-Taiwan 21st Century Trade Initiative, the U.S.-Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, and America’s Partnership for Economic Prosperity. The agenda also mentions strengthening ties with Canada and Mexico through the existing USMCA and increasing benefits for workers through its Rapid Response Mechanism.

The United States Department of Agriculture published a report on February 27 to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program, authorized under the Growing Climate Solutions Act. It builds off a previous USDA publication called “A General Assessment of the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in U.S. Carbon Markets” and attempts to adopt new income streams for producers through carbon credit sales that combat climate change. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says that farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners are part of the solution to climate change and need information to pursue carbon market options. The program works by using voluntary participation from farmers, ranchers, and landowners to implement climate-smart practices that can reward farmers over time.

On February 27, the Senate confirmed Dr. Basil Gooden as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. Summer Mersinger was also confirmed to serve a second term as a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Chairwoman Stabenow said, “Dr. Gooden and Commissioner Mersinger are both extremely qualified for these positions. They were both raised on farms and understand the needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. I look forward to working with them, and I know they will serve the American people well.” Ranking Member Boozman said, “Throughout his career, Dr. Gooden has shown a commitment to rural America and willingness to work across party lines to improve the lives of those who call our rural communities home. Likewise, Commissioner Mersinger has excelled as a champion for agricultural end-users and her leadership has helped guide the CFTC to regulate a fair and transparent manner.”

On February 28, the Senate Committee Agriculture held a hearing about the oversight of the USDA. Both Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) and Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) gave opening remarks at the hearing. Senator Boozman mentioned that the USDA predicts lower prices on crops with higher prices on input costs. He also mentions that net farm income would decrease by 27.1 percent, or 43.1 billion, while 2022 inflation adjusted net farm income has fallen by $80 billion. This means that 2022-2024 has been the largest two-year decline in net farm income of all time with input costs 10% above the national average. He cites the regulatory agenda of the current administration for adding to the worries of farmers across the country and that bipartisanship and cooperation with the USDA will help a farm bill get passed. Chairwoman Stabenow welcomed Tom Vilsack and talked about bipartisanship to pass a farm bill. She mentioned the $2.3 billion that was secured to double funding for trade promotion programs and that ad hoc emergency assistance can be delayed and inconsistent. Finally, she was pleased that she was able to work with Boozman to secure several billions of dollars in new resources into the 2024 Farm Bill to better support farmers and ranchers.

On March 6, the House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee held a hearing with Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Rostin Behnam. In Chairman “GT” Thompson’s (R-PA-15) opening comments, he notes the committee “is closely monitoring the Basel III Endgame Proposed Rule and the G-SIB Proposed Rule. We're concerned that these proposals could adversely affect commodity derivatives markets and could result in increased costs and reduce hedging opportunities for commodity end-users. I hope the Commission continues to review these proposals and urge the prudential regulators to rethink these flawed proposed rules.” Ranking Member David Scott (D-GA-13) also gave a statement addressing the CFTC and their subsequent funding. He mentions that while the committee is hard at work for the farm bill, he is happy to show the public that the Agriculture Committee can multitask and continue non-farm bill related responsibilities. Representative Scott then expressed his support for the CFTC and for American derivatives markets; however, he uses this point to then express disappointment with the CFTC fiscal year 2024 funding and how it does not adjust for the inflation of the past year.

Thank you, George and Inez Hubka for covering the Michigan winners and the National Wheat Yield Contest at Commodity Classic last week!

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