Weekly Update for
October 16

Registration and hotel booking are now open for the 2025 Joint NAWG/NWF/USW Fall Board Meeting, taking place Tuesday, November 4 through Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Austin, Texas at The Westin Austin at The Domain. We encourage all attendees to arrive by late morning on Tuesday, November 4. The Board of Directors meeting will conclude at noon on Thursday, November 6, so please plan your return travel accordingly. The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is approximately 26 minutes from the hotel. The deadline to register and reserve your hotel room is October 13. Register and book your accommodations below.

President Donald Trump promised a bailout for farmers struggling with the effects of tariffs and high costs for fertilizer and other equipment. However, due to the government shutdown, the multibillion-dollar bailout has been delayed. Rolling out aid also faces other challenges. According to industry insiders and farm-state senators, it would likely take months to get money for farmers who need it most, even with a quick end to the shutdown. Administration officials have not finalized how much money to include in the first tranche of aid, how to pay for it and how to deploy it. The rollout is also complicated by an escalating trade war with China. Additionally, the timeline to finalize aid is shrinking. Agriculture industry experts and lawmakers say farmers need the White House’s commitment in the next few weeks as they look to supplement depressed harvest revenue and plan for how to pay for next year’s planting season.

The Trump administration is looking to provide an additional $20 billion in financing for Argentina through a mix of financing from sovereign funds and the private sector. This comes on top of the $20 billion credit swap line that the U.S. Treasury pledged to his ally, Argentine President Javier Milei and the Argentine government this month to stabilize their collapsing currency. However, President Trump has made this aid conditional and suggested that the money could be pulled if Milei fails to win the midterm election in October. In the US, soybean farmers are struggling after China started effectively boycotting American soybeans since May due to tariffs. Argentina serves as a direct competitor in the soybean market, as China has increasingly turned to them for soybeans.

Due to the government shutdown, Trump administration has pushed back its plans to roll out economic aid for farmers. The Office of Management and Budget has readied between $12 billion and $13 billion to be allocated from an internal USDA account, some of which could be used to bailout struggling farmers. There is no final decision on how much of the fund will go to farm aid and with USDA political appointees being furloughed, the package is further delayed. Alec Varsamis, USDA spokesperson stated, “President Trump has made it clear he will not leave farmers behind, so USDA will continue to assess the farm economy and explore the need for further assistance, however, there is nothing new to share at this time.”

On October 13, Treasure Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States is in talks with China about how to de-escalate a trade war that reignited last week after Beijing announced plans to impose export controls on rare earth magnets used in a variety of high-tech products. In retaliation to Beijing’s proposal, President Trump has threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods beginning November 1. Bessent stated that he expects President Trump to meet with Xi in South Korea in late October to discuss his concerns.

USDA officials have given assurances on Capitol Hill that the critical food program, WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), will get a cash infusion to help it stay afloat through October if the government shutdown continues. The plan, detailed in a USDA briefing for congressional staff, involves moving about $300 million in unused tariff funds from children nutrition programs left over from the prior calendar year to ensure states can continue providing food aid, infant formula and breastfeeding support to low-income families.

Thank you BASF for partnership on the National Wheat Yield Contest and sponsorship of the wheat scholarships. Beyond® Xtra Herbicide: The Recommended Solution for Clearfield® Wheat Weed Control For wheat growers looking to protect their yields from aggressive weed competition, the combination of BASF’s Beyond® Xtra herbicide and Clearfield® wheat stands out as one of the most effective weed management systems available. Designed to target the toughest grass weeds, Beyond Xtra herbicide is one of the only products on the market that provides highly effective control of jointed goatgrass, while helping to suppress feral ryegrass — weeds that can cause significant damage to wheat yields if left unmanaged. One of the key advantages of Beyond Xtra herbicide is its ability to enhance weed control in the Clearfield wheat system as part of a comprehensive management approach. When used alongside strong pre-emergence herbicides such as Zidua® SC herbicide and Sharpen® herbicide, growers can reduce early-season weed competition, setting the stage for a cleaner, more productive crop. Beyond Xtra herbicide can be used for fall and spring applications. With Beyond Xtra herbicide, growers can take a proactive approach to weed management, helping to protect their wheat fields from yield-robbing competition. Enhance your wheat program today by contacting your local retailer or BASF representative. Always read and follow label directions. Beyond, Clearfield, Zidua, and Sharpen are registered trademarks of BASF. © 2025 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.

Another website we love is the National Pasta Association.  Please check out all these great recipes and resources so you can celebrate National Pasta Month!