Good day, NAWG!
The August recess continues with House and Senate members are back home shaking hands and seeking reelection. Meanwhile, geopolitical uncertainty continues to be felt in the wheat markets, fuel prices and the cost of repair parts.
And to our brothers and sister and agriculture who experienced Mother Nature’s worst in the last few days, NAWG sends our prayers. The photos and videos I’ve seen on social media are truly heartbreaking.
We in agriculture experience a lot of twists and turns. Good years and bad years. Good days and bad days. And while its often said that farmers are resilient, we’re also human. Its OK to not be OK from time to time. Its OK to admit that we feel a bit down because of farm finances, crop failures, losing rented acres, family dynamics, maintenance nightmares, weather or anything else. We’re human, and its OK to not be a superhero. When we feel bummed, however, we should call a friend, a pastor, a neighbor, or a family member. And for those of us who don’t feel comfortable talking to friends… complete strangers who care are available too, check out https://www.ruralminds.org/you-are-not-alone.
I’ll be spending a portion of my week in Chicago at McDonald’s headquarters, and will be joined by Kansas Wheat CEO Justin Gilpin. Justin and I, along with the Grain Foods Foundation, several millers and Bayer Crop Science will be part of a discussion about the health qualities and nutritional density of wheat. We will be certain to also talk about the sustainability success story of modern wheat farming and and the amazing research that surrounds wheat farming in 2026. While NAWG is designed for public policy activity, interacting with industry is also part of what we can and should be doing. Its no secret that Congress is doing less and less every year, forcing those who want to force changes into the American model, to pressure corporate boardrooms. Our goal during the meeting with McDonalds is to ensure the growers’ voice is part of a conversation and that farmers’ have a chance to offer practical feedback on whatever goals or objectives McDonald’s might have in mind, now or in the future.
NAWG will continue to show up and engage in the necessary conversations, both in DC and elsewhere to ensure growers’ perspectives are part of the discussion.
-SK
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DC Week Ahead
- There are no congressional meetings scheduled for this week.
Policy Report
The proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger faced additional opposition last week as the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) joined other major shipper groups in urging the federal rail regulators to reject the companies’ latest application. NGFA argued that the proposal does not enhance competition between railroads but instead is a formula that will temporarily preserve competition for a limited number of shippers. The Vice President of Union Pacific argued that a larger railroad could improve efficiency, expand market access and shift more freight from trucks to rail; however, for the agricultural community, the merger could have significant implications for the movement of grain, fertilizer and other farm inputs, particularly for producers and businesses that rely heavily on rail transportation.
On the political front, last week’s primary elections could lead to changes in agricultural leadership in Congress. Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar won the Democratic primary for governor of Minnesota, while House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig lost her Senate primary to Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. If Klobuchar wins the general election, her departure would open another seat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, while Craig’s loss means the House Agriculture Committee will also have new Democratic leadership following the 2026 elections. Several other Agriculture Committee members have advanced to the November general election.