Weekly Update for
November 13

On November 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a Senate approved short-term continuing resolution to reopen the federal government and extend expired Farm Bill provisions for one year. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) CEO Sam Kieffer issued the following statement: “NAWG welcomes Congress’s decision to reopen the federal government. This action provides critical funding to restart full USDA operations and the essential services that America’s farmers depend on to grow safe and nutritious food. Today’s vote by Congress also continues support for vital wheat research to benefit growers and consumers in the United States. “While this is a positive step, America’s wheat growers call on Congress to turn toward a long-term, bipartisan Farm Bill that provides clarity and certainty in turbulent times with low commodity prices and high input costs. In addition, Congress must prioritize fully reauthorizing the U.S. Grain Standards Act to facilitate market stability and confidence in U.S. wheat exports.”

On November 6, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) commended the U.S. Department of the Interior for its decision to include potash and phosphate on the nation’s updated list of critical minerals. These minerals are vital components of fertilizer and play a central role in ensuring productive, sustainable wheat production across the United States. “NAWG applauds the decision to recognize potash and phosphate as critical minerals,” said Sam Kieffer, NAWG CEO. “These inputs are essential for maintaining stable, profitable U.S. wheat production. This is a big win for America’s wheat growers. Ensuring access to domestic supply of fertilizer feedstocks is important not only for farmers, but for the resilience and security of our entire food system. This designation represents an important step toward strengthening domestic supply chains, reducing reliance on foreign sources, and supporting the long-term sustainability of U.S. agriculture.”

Last week, NAWG held its annual fall board meeting in Austin, Texas, bringing together policy committees and the full board to address key issues affecting wheat growers across the country. Over the course of the meeting, members engaged in in-depth discussions on strategic policy planning, trade, wheat breeding, and grower advocacy. The board also voted to determine NAWG’s policy priorities for the coming year, setting a clear direction for the organization’s work in Washington and beyond. In addition to these important discussions, the conference served as a milestone celebration of NAWG’s 75th anniversary, honoring decades of leadership and dedication to advancing the wheat industry.

On November 12, President Trump signed a funding bill passed by Congress, officially ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. While the government is officially reopened, impacts from the shutdown will continue as lawmakers begin recovery efforts. The legislation contains three full-year appropriations bills including the Agriculture Appropriations bill that funds the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. This bill also guarantees backpay for the roughly 1.4 million federal workers that have gone without a paycheck for 6 weeks and reverses several agencies’ attempted staffing reductions during the shutdown. Additionally, the bill guarantees funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through September. It is unclear when full payments will resume as this varies by state.

Last week in Mexico City, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook L. Rollins led the largest U.S. Department of Agriculture agribusiness trade mission in U.S. history. During the mission to Mexico, 41 U.S. businesses, 33 cooperators and agriculture advocacy groups, six state departments of agriculture, and 150 participants conducted more than 500 business to business meetings over three days. This was a critical opportunity for American business to further trade ties and for USDA to continue its aggressive response to New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico and continue to hold Mexico accountable for its commitments to the 1944 Water Treaty. In addition to participating in this trade mission, Secretary Rollins met with the team at Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) Headquarters NWS Control Room to showcase bilateral efforts to combat the spread of NWS in Mexico. “The trading and diplomatic relationship between our two countries is of the utmost importance to President Trump and American farmers and ranchers,” stated Secretary Brooke Rollins. I thank President Claudia Sheinbaum for welcoming me to the Presidential Palace where we had a productive and positive conversation about how we will continue to work closely together to eradicate the NWS which is negatively impacting both our economies, including conducting a comprehensive joint review of our NWS response and efforts to ensure enforcement of our joint responsibilities in the 1944 water treaty.”

On November 10, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a discussion draft of legislation that would provide new authority to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to regulate digital commodities. The bipartisan proposal expands upon the CLARITY Act approved by the House of Representatives in July. “This bipartisan discussion draft would provide the CFTC with new authority to regulate the digital commodity spot market, create new protections for retail customers, and ensure the agency has the personnel and resources necessary to oversee this growing market,” stated Booker.

Please see the Progressive Farmer article for more details on the National Wheat Yield Contest 2025 results. Thank you to all our great contestants and partners for your participation! Partners in the 2025 contest are: John Deere, WestBred, BASF, Dyna-Gro, AgXplore, Croplan,  Limagrain, US Wheat Associates, The McGregor Companies, AgriMaxx, Anheuser Busch, Ardent Mills, BNSF, Corteva, Eastman,  Menell, Siemer Mill, UPL, Bushel, Climate FieldView, GrainCraft, Miller Milling, Nachurs, PlainsGold, Idaho Wheat, Kansas Wheat, Kansas Wheat Alliance, Kentucky Small Grain Growers, Michigan Wheat, Montana Grain Growers, North Carolina Small Grain Growers, Ohio Corn & Wheat,  Texas Wheat.  Progressive Farmer is the official publication of the National Wheat Yield Contest.

NWF is a proud partner with BASF in a scholarship program for college students. This scholarship is available for students pursuing careers in the agriculture industry, especially those that directly benefit the wheat industry. Applications are open November 1- December 31.