Good day, NAWG!
Every farmer knows the feeling of a forecast that says the rain is coming, and there are still acres standing. You stop worrying about doing everything and start deciding what actually has to get done before the weather turns. That’s the Senate this week. The campaign is the weather, and a lot of important work is still standing in the field. Believe me, I’m rooting for the Senate to get things done, but I’m not holding my breath for significant movement.
Three things are dominating the national conversation right now: the elections, trade talks, and affordability. On the last one, I’d note that neither party owns the cost of fuel, fertilizer, or a bag of groceries. Both are campaigning on it, and NAWG will keep insisting that both follow through. Farm organizations are at their best when we hold everyone to the same standard, and the price of doing business on a wheat farm doesn’t change based on who’s winning the polls.
I’m headed to the North American Millers’ Association conference at the end of the week to talk about NAWG’s federal priorities and the on-farm economic realities growers are living with. Our millers are customers and partners, and they should hear directly from us what it costs to grow the wheat that goes into their mills. I’ll report back on what I hear.
If you’re home this week and Members of Congress are still holding events, take the opportunity. Tell them what your costs look like.
Thanks, as always, for the work you all do to keep NAWG’s voice resonating loud and clear.
SK
Policy Report:
Farm Bill: Six-Week Window Opens as Extension Expires
The 2018 farm bill extension expires Wednesday, September 30. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman says the next six weeks will decide whether a farm bill passes this year, and he wants bipartisan talks to happen over the fall recess rather than waiting until after the November 3 midterms. Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar says Democrats want to resolve differences and pass a bill this year, though the two sides remain stuck on how states facing higher SNAP error rates share program costs. Senator Chuck Grassley is pushing for a Senate floor vote before the midterms to get every member on the record, while Senate GOP leaders say they won’t bring the bill up without signs of enough bipartisan support to pass it.
U.S.-China “30-for-30” Deal Includes Wheat
Following last week’s Trump-Xi meeting in Washington, the White House announced a “30-for-30” framework cutting tariffs on $30 billion of non-sensitive goods in each direction. China’s published list of 1,619 U.S. products covers wheat, corn, frozen meat, seafood, and wood products; soybeans were notably excluded. China also pledged to import at least 10 million metric tons of U.S. coal in 2027 and again in 2028, and both sides extended the existing trade truce by two months. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the tariff relief should improve market access for about 30 percent of U.S. exports to China, with more product details expected today.
House Agriculture Appropriations Bill Awaits Senate Action
The House passed its FY2027 Agriculture appropriations bill (H.R. 8646) back in June at $26.27 billion in discretionary funding, 1.4 percent below FY2026 enacted levels. Senate action is still pending, and the continuing resolution keeps the government funded through December 11.
Final Call: Disaster Relief Signup Closes September 30
USDA’s Supplemental Disaster Relief Program closes signup for both stages on Wednesday, September 30. Growers with qualifying 2023–2024 disaster losses who haven’t applied should contact their local FSA office immediately. USDA’s SDRP Homepage.
Wheat PAC Kernel Cup — November 2 in Albuquerque
Join Wheat PAC for the inaugural Kernel Cup on Monday, November 2, from 6:00–8:00 PM at Topgolf Albuquerque. Tickets are $125 per person, and RSVP/payment is due by Monday, October 26. Space is limited — register here. Paid for by Wheat PAC.