Weekly Update for
November 21

This week, NAWG and USW participated in the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention, a key gathering for farm broadcasters, allied industry partners, and agricultural media professionals. This event provides a vital forum for connecting the agricultural community with member broadcasters through interviews and discussions on issues important to their organizations, associations, and companies. Elizabeth Rivera, NAWG’s Director of Communications and Partnerships, represented the association at this year’s convention.

This week, NAWG Policy Manager Anthony Pena attended the Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) Annual Convention in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The event brought together leaders from across the wheat industry for legislative updates, strategic planning, and discussions on key challenges facing growers. Featured speakers included Jolene Brown, Arlan Suderman, Eric Snodgrass, and Ray Starling. Anthony also provided an update on NAWG’s policy and advocacy efforts. Also this week, NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer attended the 2025 Idaho–Oregon Grain and Oilseed Convention. Representatives from the Idaho Oilseed & Barley Commission, PNW Canola Association, Idaho Wheat, and the Oregon Wheat Growers League were in attendance. The event aimed to unite growers and agricultural leaders to share strategies, strengthen collaboration, and build community. The program featured general and breakout sessions, exhibitor booths, and numerous networking opportunities.

This week, NAWG President Pat Clements participated in the Bayer Grower Advisory Council meeting in St. Louis, MO. The Council convenes twice a year, bringing together senior leaders from key agricultural groups—including wheat, corn, cotton, soy, and sugarbeet—to share feedback and insights with Bayer’s Crop Science leadership.

On November 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Army announced the signing of a proposed rule to revise the definition of “waters of the United States.” This proposal implements the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA. NAWG will continue to monitor the rulemaking process and keep wheat growers informed as the updated definition moves forward.

On November 17, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) released a statement after the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced their proposed rule clarifying the definition of "waters of the United States" and fully implementing the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. “For too long, WOTUS allowed Washington to overreach into the everyday work of farmers, ranchers, and landowners,” stated Thompson. “By following through on a promise to rural America, Administrator Zeldin is restoring certainty and trust where it’s long been needed."

On November 17, the USDA announced the details of the second stage of $16 billion in total Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) assistance. This is on top of over $9.3 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) assistance to over 560,000 row crop farmers and over $705 million in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to over 220,000 ranchers. Stage Two of SDRP covers eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses that were not covered under Stage One program provisions, including non-indemnified (shallow loss), uncovered and quality losses. The first stage, announced in July, remains available to producers who received an indemnity under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for eligible crop losses due to qualifying 2023 and 2024 natural disaster events. FSA county offices will begin accepting SDRP Stage Two applications on November 24, 2025. Producers have until April 30, 2026, to apply for both Stage One and Stage Two assistance. FSA is establishing block grants with Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Massachusetts that cover crop losses; therefore, producers with losses on land physically located in these states are not eligible for SDRP program payments.

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Vice Chairman Gary Millershaski recently joined a cohort of emerging wheat industry leaders in Austin, Texas, for the first leg of the Bayer Leadership Program. For Millershaski – as a multi-generation wheat farmer from Lakin, Kansas – the program offered more than personal professional development; it served as an important opportunity to foster stronger collaboration between upcoming leaders of the wheat industry’s partner organizations. “I wanted to participate in the Bayer Leadership Program to familiarize myself with current and future state wheat leaders,” USW Vice Chairman Gary Millershaski said. “I’m really impressed with this group of individuals. Just putting everybody in the same room, doing the same work – the way everybody works together is priceless.”

Read the Progressive Farmer stories about the Bin Busters and how these growers managed to achieve the top yields in the 2025 contest. 

Learn about how important rivers are to several different industries and the communities they serve.  

Anne Osborne is attending the Washington Wheat Growers Convention this week, and Scott Brown is attending the Idaho/Oregon Convention.  Gary Broyles will attend Montana in early December and Anne and Mark Haugland will attend Prairie Grains (MN, ND) in early December.  We are talking with people about the work of the Foundation and the National Wheat Yield Contest, encouraging more growers to get involved with the contest.