*Please note that weekly updates will not be sent out next Thursday, August 22nd.
NAWG Tweets Response to President Trump’s Remarks on Wheat and Japan
On Tuesday, August 13th, President Donald Trump was scheduled to deliver remarks on energy in Pennsylvania. Instead, Trump diverted and talked about trade with Japan where he directly discounted the importance of wheat exports to the market: “Many car plants — they’re coming in from Japan. I told Prime Minister Abe — great guy. I said, ‘Listen, we have a massive deficit with Japan.’ They send thousands and thousands — millions — of cars. We send them wheat. Wheat. (Laughter.) That’s not a good deal. And they don’t even want our wheat. They do it because they want us to at least feel that we’re okay. You know, they do it to make us feel good.” NAWG publicly responded with the following tweet.
NAWG Speaks to USDA Cochran Fellows on Farm Policy and Wheat
On August 13, 2019, NAWG CEO Chandler Goule and Federal Government Affairs Representative Craig Berning spoke to participants from U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Cochran Fellowship Program on farm policy decisions and programs related to wheat. The event was hosted and organized by U.S. Wheat and focused on Tunisian market reform. Photos from the event were published on Facebook and Twitter.
EPA News Release: What They Are Saying|EPA Takes Action to Provide Accurate Risk Information to Consumers, Stop False Labeling on Products
On Friday, Aug. 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued guidance to registrants of glyphosate to ensure clarity on labeling of the chemical on their products. EPA will no longer approve product labels claiming glyphosate is known to cause cancer – a false claim that does not meet the labeling requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). In its recent release, the EPA highlighted response from Congress and various stakeholders. NAWG’s statement was included in the release:
“NAWG is pleased with and welcomes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recent statement reaffirming glyphosate as a noncarcinogen, and that there are no risks to public health when used in accordance with its current label. Glyphosate has been a breakthrough for agriculture, and this includes wheat production. Not only do glyphosate products control weeds, but they also help farmers farm the land sustainably.”
NAWG Joins US Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA)
As a NEW funding organization of US Farmers & Ranchers Alliance, NAWG is excited to announce the launch of USFRA’s new film, “30 Harvests.” The film features two farmers, Jay Hill and Meagan Kaiser, who are excited about the positive impact agriculture can have on the environment. Farmers are the change agents that will help feed an unprecedented population while solving for climate change. We encourage you to watch the short film and share your sustainability story with your neighbors, community, or on your social media platforms. Contact us Caitlin Eannello (ceannello@wheatworld.org) with questions or to get involved!
USDA Release New WASDE: World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates
On August 12, 2019, the USDA released its World Agricultural Supply & Demand Estimates (WASDE) monthly report which contains crop production data for the U.S., including acreage, area harvested, and yield. For all wheat, the report estimates “production for grain is forecast at 1.98 billion bushels, up 3 percent from the previous forecast and up 5 percent from 2018. Based on August 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 51.6 bushels per harvested acre, up 1.6 bushel from the previous forecast, and up 4.0 bushels from 2018. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 38.4 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast, but down 3 percent from 2018.” Read the complete report here.
NESARC Applauds Improvements to ESA Implementation
On July 12, 2019, the National Endangered Species Act Reform Coalition (NESARC) issued a statement applauding the Administration’s release of the most significant improvements to regulations implementing the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “These modifications will allow for a more effective administration of Sections 4 and 7 of the ESA and address some of the uncertainty and lack of predictability in current implementation of the law. The regulations offer welcomed changes to implementation of Section 4, which focuses on listing species and designating critical habitat. In particular, designation of unoccupied critical habitat has increasingly become a significant issue for landowners.” NAWG is a member of this coalition.
FFT: Farmers & Ranchers Sign-On Letter RE USMCA
Farmers For Free Trade (FFT) has launched a sign-on letter to Congress from farmers, ranchers, and other individuals in ag business owners and employees in support of the USMCA. The letter will be held open at least through the month of July. Visit their site to sign on to the letter or access it by texting “USMCA Letter” to 52886.
Source: National Association of Wheat Growers