Weekly Update for
October 8

EPA Region 7 Administrator celebrated NAWG Treasurer and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers President Chris Tanner’s appointment to serve on the U.S. Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC) for the 2026-2028 term. Tanner will bring the perspective of wheat growers and rural communities to the committee, which provides independent policy advice and recommendations to the EPA Administrator on issues affecting agriculture and rural America. The Committee’s 2026-2028 priorities include examining incorporating artificial intelligence and precision agriculture for more careful pesticide application; and balancing conservation, nutrient pollution reduction, and long-term farm viability. “I’m looking forward to serving on the Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Committee and bringing a farmer’s perspective to the conversations that shape EPA policies affecting agriculture,” said Tanner. “It’s important that the EPA Administrator hears directly from producers who understand both the challenges of farming and the responsibility we have to care for our land and natural resources. I appreciate the opportunity to represent Kansas agriculture and help ensure farmers have a voice in these important discussions.”

This week, NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer joined the Agriculture of America (AOA) podcast to discuss key issues facing wheat growers and the broader agricultural community. Kieffer covered the Senate’s version of the Farm Bill, the potential for additional farmer assistance, trade, and other issues affecting producers. Listen to the full episode below.

NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer recently released a new Heads-Up: Wheat in DC blog highlighting the importance of a unified voice for agriculture. During a recent trip to Capitol Hill with the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR), Kieffer saw firsthand how collaboration among farmers, researchers, and agricultural organizations can strengthen the industry’s message in Washington. The visit also underscored the critical role of federal agricultural research. Investments in research today drive long-term advances in wheat, including improved varieties, stronger disease resistance, better grain quality, higher yields, and more effective management practices. Kieffer and fellow advocates urged Congress to finish the farm bill and maintain strong federal support for agricultural research. With federal public funding for agricultural research declining by roughly one-third since 2002 after adjusting for inflation, continued investment is increasingly important as farmers face rising input costs and tight margins. The key takeaway: agriculture is stronger when we speak with a unified voice. By working together around shared priorities, farmers, researchers, and agricultural organizations can ensure policymakers understand the challenges facing agriculture—and the importance of investing in solutions for the future.

This week, USDA announced that its Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs will generate approximately $13.8 billion in gross payments to eligible producers for the 2025 crop year, the largest annual payout since the programs were established in 2014.  The payments reflect changes made by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, including higher statutory reference prices and improvements to the effective reference price calculation. For the 2025 crop year, producers will automatically receive the higher payment rate between ARC and PLC, regardless of their election, while the payment limit has increased to $160,000 for 2025. Wheat is among the 16 commodities triggering PLC payments for the 2025 crop year, with FSA issuing payments as calculations are completed. USDA also noted that the legislation added 30 million new base acres nationwide, with those acres beginning to affect ARC and PLC coverage in 2026 and future crop years. The 2026 ARC and PLC election and enrollment period is now open, and producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA county office to complete enrollment.

On Monday, President Trump signed an Executive Order directing Treasury and the IRS to provide temporary relief for highway use of dyed diesel, including penalty relief and, subject to Treasury’s determination of legal authority, deferral of applicable federal excise taxes incurred through December 31, 2026. For wheat growers, the primary potential benefit is lower upfront fuel costs for hauling grain and transporting supplies on public roads. Qualifying off-road agricultural fuel use already receives favorable tax treatment, so the action offers limited additional direct tax relief for diesel used in tractors and combines. Several implementation details remain important: Tax Deferral does not mean forgiveness. The order directs Treasury to explore eliminating the deferred taxes, but repayment could still be required. State rules still matter. The order encourages corresponding state action but does not automatically waive state taxes or restrictions. Federal guidance will determine eligibility and requirements. Growers should confirm applicable IRS and state guidance before using dyed diesel in highway vehicles. Temporary relief ends December 31, 2026. The order covers eligible fuel use from October 5 through year-end. Treasury’s implementing guidance will specify when any deferred taxes must be paid. The order also directs USDA to work with cooperatives and rural fuel distributors to support agricultural fuel availability. NAWG will monitor implementation and share additional information as it becomes available. Please let us know if you encounter fuel availability challenges or questions in your area.

USDA announced a $180 million Seed Sovereignty Initiative to strengthen U.S. agricultural security and unlock the potential of the nation’s plant genetic resources. The two-year initiative will support sequencing and characterization of collections within USDA’s National Plant Germplasm System, which contains more than 600,000 accessions representing over 16,000 species. The effort will use advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, to identify valuable traits that can help develop new crop varieties and respond to emerging pests and diseases. USDA said the initiative will help reduce potential foreign dependence on critical agricultural resources and strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of American agriculture.

Everyone is invited to attend the National Wheat Foundation’s Fall meeting on Monday, November 2 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We are looking forward to two guest speakers on nutrition topics, an update from the NAWG president, committee reports and financial reports. This is a great way for anyone to learn more about the Foundation and what we do for the wheat industry. Please join us on Monday at 1:00 p.m. MDT at The Clyde Hotel.