Farm Bill Update: Please note that the Senate is still working on consideration of the Farm Bill and that we are expecting a final vote tonight!
Due to the holiday, there will be no weekly updates distributed next week. Have a very Happy Fourth of July!
NAWG Participates in Field to Market Meeting
This week, NAWG Treasurer David Milligan and NAWG’s Environmental Policy Advisor Keira Franz attended the Field to Market Plenary and General Assembly meeting in Madison, WI. Field to Market, the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, brings together all members of the agriculture supply chain to discuss sustainability and continuous improvement efforts and provides an opportunity to connect with food companies, retailers and agribusinesses. Key topics for the meeting focused on the future, strategic positioning for the organization, gathering feedback, and recognizing growers that will be highlighted in grower spotlights reviewing the growers’ operation and use of the Fieldprint Platform. Franz also represents NAWG on the Field to Market Board of Directors, providing input on the grower sector priorities for organization.
NAWG Particpates in Farmers for Free Trade Event in Michigan
In response to the Trump Administration’s tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum imports, Farmers for Free Trade (FFT) is hosting a series of media event this Summer. On Tuesday, June 26, FFT held an event in Grand Rapids, Michigan where NAWG Treasurer Dave Milligan attended and participated in. BrownField Ag covered the event, including Milligan’s remarks on the impact tariffs and trade have on wheat farmers.
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue OpEd on Farmers and Tariffs
In a recent opinion editorial published by USA Today, USDA Chief Perdue told farmers today he understands their fear of taking on China in a trade war that is certain to lead to stiff tariffs on U.S. soybeans, corn and wheat, but he also stressed the Trump administration’s need to follow through with its threats…Perdue didn’t go into detail on the benefits to be reaped, but he did reiterate a promise to come up with a program to help farmers who are hurt by Chinese trade retaliation. The USDA chief also did not give any details on what such an assistance program would look like, but farm state lawmakers have already said they don’t like the idea.
Social Media Day on US Tariffs on Chinese Goods – July 3rd
On Tuesday, July 3rd, NAWG, ASA, NCGA, AEM, and AFBF are executing another social media blitz in anticipation of the approaching July 6 deadline for U.S. trade tariffs on Chinese goods to take effect. ASA is asking for growers and their families to tweet pictures of themselves in their fields with the hashtag #FacesofTariffs. In your outreach, please continue to use #TradeNotTariffs as well.
EPA Releases Proposed 2019 RFS RVOs
EPA announced a new proposed rule on June 26 that increases the amount of biofuels blended into the 2019 fuel supply in the United States. The proposed rule, under the Renewable Fuel Standard, would allow for close to 15 billion gallons of ethanol and would include renewable volume obligations (RVOs). Under the new rule, 10.88% of U.S. fuel supply for 2019 that is used for transportation would be required to be renewable fuel. Biofuel groups have criticized the EPA for not addressing issues with the current waiver program, causing regulatory uncertainty. In addition, some groups have applauded the EPA’s framework that they feel will encourage development and growth in the biofuels industry. Read more in Biomass Magazine.
2018 World Food Prize Laureates’ Work Focused on Child Nutrition
Lawrence Haddad and David Nabarro, of the United Kingdom, won the 2018 World Food Prize for their research on child nutrition. Through their research, which focused on child stunting, Haddad and Nabarro pushed for more dialogue pertaining to the undernutrition of mothers and children across the globe. A pioneer in food policy research, Dr. Haddad brought the issue of nutrition to the forefront by using both economic and medical research to convince development leaders to make child nutrition an urgent priority in the global food security agenda. Dr. Nabarro, a champion of public health in the United Nations, was directly responsible for uniting 54 countries and one Indian state under the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement to join forces and implement evidence-based policies and programs. The researchers were announced and recognized on June 25 in Washington, D.C. at the United States Department of Agriculture.
Grilling for July 4th More Affordable This Year
A feast of hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade, chocolate milk and watermelon will cost less than $6 a serving, according to a survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The group says the cost of the cookout is down less than 1 percent from last year. Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $55.07, or $5.51 per person. The cost for the cookout is down slightly (less than 1 percent) from last year. Read more here.
National Wheat Yield Contest: Spring Wheat Category
As the 2018 National Wheat Yield Contest spring wheat deadline quickly approaches on August 1, the National Wheat Foundation is encouraging wheat growers to aim higher and register their crop in this year’s contest. Think your spring wheat harvest might be a bin buster? Don’t forget you can submit more than one entry to the contest for the chance to become a nationally recognized grower!
Now that your wheat has emerged and is off and running, consider, register before August 1 to be in it to win it! Visit wheatfoundation.org for more details and to register today.
Source: National Association of Wheat Growers