Weekly Update for
September 24

NAWG joined a coalition of maritime transportation stakeholders in urging the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to extend the current suspension of Section 301 vessel fees on China-built vessels. The coalition argues that reinstating the fees would increase transportation costs and create additional uncertainty for U.S. importers, exporters, agricultural producers, and consumers. The letter also emphasizes the need for a long-term strategy and sustained investment to strengthen U.S. shipbuilding and maritime capacity without imposing near-term costs on businesses and freight users.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and Kansas State University are partnering to host AgCon 2026, taking place October 22–23 in Overland Park, Kansas. Explore the full agenda, including sessions, speakers, and event details, using the link below.

The U.S. and China have agreed to extend their current trade truce through January 10, giving President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping additional time to negotiate broader trade issues. The agreement maintains the suspension of certain tariffs, rare earth curbs, and hefty fees for Chinese-built and-owned vessels. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said China has made progress on agricultural purchases, particularly U.S. soybeans, but remains behind schedule on some other commitments.

With special thanks to our Progressive Farmer partners BASF, Dyna-Gro, and WestBred the fall Field Posts podcast is out.  Thank you to Boyd Heilig, National Wheat Foundation director from Montana for participating in the podcast.  Please listen and plan now to participate in the National Wheat Yield Contest in 2027!

Please enjoy this podcast about Pam Smith and her interesting career as an ag journalist. Progressive Farmer and Pam Smith have been excellent partners as the official publication of the National Wheat Yield Contest. Congratulations, on your retirement, Pam! Episode 308.         

Two of the National Wheat Foundation Directors’ second terms will expire in 2027; Scott Brown (ID) and Jeff Blackwood (industry). We want to thank and recognize Scott and Jeff for their tremendous contributions to the board. We are calling for anyone interested in serving on the National Wheat Foundation Board to submit your name, in writing, along with a brief resume to Boyd Heilig, NWF nomination committee chair (heiligb18@gmail.com) or Anne Osborne, NWF Executive Director (aosborne@wheatworld.org) by October 9th, 2026. Board terms are three years, and there is a maximum of two terms. The board holds two in-person meetings per year, plus it attends the Commodity Classic where they host the National Wheat Yield Contest winner’s reception.

Contestants in the 2026 contest have less than 2 weeks to put in their harvest data and complete their entries. The deadline is October 1, midnight Eastern time. If you have any questions or need help, please contact Anne Osborne before the deadline (aosborne@wheatworld.org). Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest. Make sure to finish up with your harvest data, the contest uses all the data collected to learn more about raising high yield, quality and profitable wheat.