NAWG Weekly Wheat Digest

NAWG in the News

AgriPulse (May 18, 2017) Trump Administration to Start NAFTA Renegotiation
The Trump administration today informed Congress that it intends to officially begin renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada. The much-anticipated notification gives Congress a 90-day window to work with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Commerce Department and other agencies to help develop priorities in overhauling the pact with two of our largest trading partners…Wheat farmers also want to protect the gains they’ve made under the trade deal. “If the administration intends on renegotiating NAFTA, it must guarantee growers that new terms won’t reverse the significant benefits for U.S. wheat farmers, like duty free access,” said David Schemm, president of the North American Wheat Growers. “Despite the risks, there’s an opportunity here to get better trade rules in place that will set the gold standard for trade agreements going forward, without hurting wheat farmers and their importing customers.”

The Fence Post (May 22, 2017) Wyoming Wheat Marketing Commission to Meet on Monday
The WWMC meeting will begin at 7 a.m. and the agenda will include a review of the financial report, review of refund actions, discuss advisory board availability, and address any other business as needed. The Wyoming Wheat Marketing Commission goals are to develop and maintain wheat markets in the national and global marketing of wheat while partnering with the National Association of Wheat Growers and US Wheat. The commission supports local sampling, quality testing of wheat, producer education and research.

High Plains Journal (May 15, 2017) Wheat Grower Organization Welcoe USTR Confirmation
U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers welcome the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Robert Lighthizer today as the next U.S. Trade Representative. Fair access to international markets is crucial for America’s productive wheat farmers. Our organizations believe Ambassador Lighthizer fully understands that a strong agricultural economy depends on improving free trade opportunities and rules.

World-Grain (May 18, 2017) NAWG Hires Nes Government Relations Coordinator
Craig Berning has joined the staff of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) as government relations coordinator. In this role, Berning will be responsible for supporting the policy team and providing key research on NAWG’s policy priorities.

Wheat in the News

AgriNews (May 18, 2017) Farmer to Harvest Smaller Wheat Crop
Winter wheat production is forecast down 25 percent from last year due to a decline in planted acres and poor weather conditions in key growing states. In its first winter wheat production estimate for this growing season, the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects an average yield of 48.8 bushels per acre, down 6.5 bushels from last year’s record of 55.3 bushels per acre.

Ag Web (May 17, 2017) U.S. Wheat Gets a Chance in Egypt as Terms Rule Out France
The U.S. is getting a chance of selling wheat to Egypt as the world’s biggest buyer tenders today. For France, the outlook isn’t so promising. U.S. wheat represented two of the five lowest offers to Egypt including freight, according to two traders involved who asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak to the media. While French wheat was offered, a change in the protein specifications and higher prices due to the stronger euro makes a sale unlikely.

Brownfield Ag News (May 18, 2017) Wheat Industry Hopes Lighthizer Will Help Level Playing Field
U.S. wheat industry officials are hopeful that newly-confirmed U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will put more pressure on U.S. trading partners to meet their WTO obligations. U.S. Wheat Associates director of policy Ben Conner says China is a good example.

Southwest Farm Press (May 18, 2017) 2017 Wheat: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
For prices to increase, world wheat stocks have to decrease. Stocks will decrease when production decreases. The USDA 2017 wheat supply and demand estimates show that U.S. production will be significantly less than last year. Foreign production is projected to be marginally less than 2016/17 production.

The Wichita Eagle (May 19, 2017) Oklahoma’s Wheat Harvest Off to a Rough Start
The annual winter wheat harvest has begun in southwest Oklahoma, but this year’s cutting has seen a mixed start…Earlier this month, the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association received predictions that said about 3.1 million acres of wheat will be harvested in the state this year…The Oklahoma Wheat Commission’s first harvest report says so far farmers near Grandfield and Eldorado have taken in a combined 80,000 bushels of wheat.