Weekly Update for
May 22

On May 22, the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission released its much-anticipated Making Our Children Healthy Again Report. The contents of this report have the potential to significantly impact America’s farmers, producers and ranchers, and the public’s trust in our food system. However, it is important to note that the EPA is still the agency in charge of regulating pesticides and while the assertions made in this report do have an impact, the recommendations made in this report are not legally binding. In response, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President Pat Clements issued the following statement. “NAWG is deeply concerned with the content and implications of the MAHA Commission’s report. Throughout the process, NAWG and other agricultural stakeholders have worked in good faith to provide the commission with accurate, science-based information about modern food production practices in the United States. Wheat growers are proud stewards of the land and are committed to producing safe, healthy food for families here at home and around the world. Unfortunately, the report contains misleading claims that could undermine public trust in our nation’s food system. We urge the Trump administration to ensure that the MAHA Commission’s future work is guided by sound science and peer-reviewed research. American consumers deserve facts—not fear—when it comes to how their food is grown and produced." Read the full press release below.

On May 22, the House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). This legislation includes several of the National Association of Wheat Growers’ (NAWG) key farm bill and federal tax policy priorities. These provisions are designed to empower America’s wheat producers to invest in their operations, remain globally competitive, and support national food security and economic resilience. “NAWG appreciates the House of Representatives for taking an important step forward in the reconciliation process. This legislation reflects many of the key priorities America’s wheat growers have been advocating for over the past three years related to farm bill and tax extension. As producers face high input costs, low reference prices, and the increasing impact of extreme weather, it is vital that the improvements to the farm safety net contained in this legislation remain intact. Additionally, Congress must act this year to extend – and improve upon – the key provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017,” said Pat Clements, NAWG President. “We urge the Senate to act swiftly and pass the bill to deliver the long-term stability and support that wheat growers need to maintain their operations and help feed families across the country. NAWG will continue working with lawmakers to ensure wheat growers' voices are heard throughout this process.”

On May 22, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA-15) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers on the mandate voters gave President Trump and Republicans by stopping tax hikes, reigning in spending, investing in rural America, and restoring integrity to programs like SNAP, and I look forward to working with the Senate to get it to the President’s desk.”

On May 22, leading Democrats of the House Agriculture Committee slammed the Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill after it was voted out of the House along party lines. “The Republicans’ budget will make America hungrier, poorer and sicker. Parents struggling to afford groceries for their families and seniors living on fixed incomes will have their food taken away if this bill becomes law,” said Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02). “At a time when grocery prices are going up and retirement accounts are going down, we must protect the basic needs programs that help people afford food and health care. As a mother and someone who needed food assistance at periods in my own childhood, I condemn this attempt to snatch food off our children’s plates to fund tax breaks for large corporations. I call on my Senate colleagues to stop this attack on working Americans that takes food away from families and threatens a full, five-year bipartisan farm bill.” 

On May 22, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, released the following statement on House Republicans passing H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “Instead of working to lower grocery costs as they promised the American people they would, House Republicans are pulling the rug out from under millions of families by taking away federal assistance to put food on the table. They’re doing that even as President Trump’s tariff taxes raise food prices by more than $200 for the average family, all to fund more tax breaks for the wealthy. That’s so very wrong —and we will fight against it in the Senate,” said Ranking Member Klobuchar.

On May 21, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing to consider the nominations of Dudley Hoskins to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs and Dr. Scott Hutchins to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics. Mr. Hoskins has extensive experience in agricultural policy and regulation, having served as Chief of Staff for USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs from 2017 to 2019. He also held roles as Senior Advisor for USDA and Public Policy Counsel for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Dr. Hutchins brings a wealth of experience in agricultural science and policy. He holds a Ph.D. in entomology from Iowa State University and has had a distinguished career in both the public and private sectors. Dr. Hutchins served as the Deputy Under Secretary for USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics mission area, overseeing agencies such as the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Both nominees now await a full committee vote.

On May 20, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins released the first set of policy proposals under her newly launched Make Agriculture Great Again Initiative. These initial proposals are a comprehensive set of policy solutions aimed at improving the viability and longevity of smaller-scale family farms for generations to come. “America’s family farms help feed, fuel, and clothe the world, but they also face some of the greatest challenges in getting their farms started and keeping them running. Putting Farmers First means addressing the issues farmers face head-on and fostering an economic environment that doesn’t put up roadblocks on business creation but removes them,” said Secretary Rollins. “Today’s policy agenda is tailored specifically to support small-scale farms to thrive for generations to come. President Trump knows America’s economic prosperity depends on the success of our farmers and ranchers. That is why we are working to ensure those who want to start and keep their own farms for generations to come are able to.”

On May 21, the Senate Ag Committee voted to advance the nominations of Luke Lindberg to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs and Devon Westhill to be Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights. The nominations were reported favorably out of committee and now head to the full Senate for consideration. “I’m proud to support the nominations of Luke Lindberg and Devon Westhill to key positions at USDA. They are critical to implementing President Trump’s agenda at the department and advocating for America’s farm families. I encourage the Senate to quickly confirm these well-qualified nominees,” Chairman Boozman said.

On May 20, The Senate unanimously approved U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Michael Bennet’s (D-Colo.), bipartisan resolution designating May 29th as ‘Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day. “Daily uncertainties and extreme stress lead to higher levels of anxiety and depression among Nebraska’s agricultural producers and workforce. Our resolution recognizes these unique challenges and supports the farmers, ranchers, and workers who perform the essential work of producing high-quality food, fuel, and fiber,” said Fischer. “From severe drought to increased costs, unprecedented challenges are taking a toll on the mental health of Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers. I’m grateful to stand with Senator Fischer and my Senate colleagues to raise awareness about our country’s mental health crisis and work together to expand access to care for communities across the country,” said Bennet. “Any farmer will tell you—agriculture is an incredibly demanding and stressful profession, particularly during tough economic times. Tragically, farmer suicide rates are two to five times higher than the national average. On Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day, let’s stand together to support those who may be struggling and encourage them to seek help. Breaking the stigma around mental health can truly save lives,” said Chandler Goule, NAWG CEO.

There are 370 winter wheat entries in for the 2025 contest. Thanks to the contestants and their seed or agronomy partners for getting the entries in.  The next step for you is to find a supervisor who will come out during your harvest, plan where your best 5 acres are and when you do harvest, don’t forget to save a 10 pound sample of wheat for the quality testing (only if you are a National Winner). Unlike in past years, everyone does not send in a wheat sample. Just keep your sample safe and dry until we announce the yield winners and if that is you, you will receive further instructions on where to ship your sample. Thank you to all our great partners for promoting the contest to your customers and contacts!

Spring wheat growers can enter until August 1. If you have not entered the contest for a few years, there is a new website. Contestants will need to create an account on the site and then put in the entries. Thank you to all our great partners who have vouchers for contestants to use when they submit their entries.