NAWG NEWS
NAWG OpEd: As Drought Conditions Continue To Spread Across Farm Country, Importance Of Crop Insurance Is Reinforced
High Plains Journal recently published an opinion editorial by NAWG President and Michigan wheat farmer Dave Milligan. In his piece, Milligan discusses the importance of crop insurance for America’s wheat farmers especially as many have experienced extreme drought conditions these past few months. Read here: https://bit.ly/3ggwnGs.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Agri-Pulse: China Objects To US Retaliation Over Grain Subsidies
“China Wednesday officially rejected U.S. claims that China has failed to comply with a 2019 World Trade Organization ruling against China’s price supports for its wheat and rice farmers — subsidies that U.S. farmers say hurt international trade. The U.S. recently requested WTO authorization to hit China with ‘countermeasures’ worth $1.3 billion, and China railed against the request during the Wednesday meeting of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body.” Read more in Agri-Pulse.
USDA Launches New Website Features to Help Farmers Hire Workers
On July 27, 2020 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced new features on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farmers.gov website designed to help facilitate the employment of H-2A workers. Secretary Purdue stated, “USDA’s goal is to help farmers navigate the complex H-2A program that is administered by Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department so hiring a farm worker is an easier process.”
USDA: Conservation Agricultural Mentoring Program
This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) started the Conservation Agricultural Mentoring Program (CAMP). CAMP is a state-driven, partnership and field-based program to build strong employee-producer relationships and increase employees’ knowledge of production agriculture in their local areas. NRCS will match producer volunteers with field employees to mentor the employees through “on-the-land,” hands-on learning to help them develop their agriculture knowledge. You can learn more about the program here.
USDA’s “Rural Resilience Farm Stress Training” Course
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has created a new online stress management training course for farmers and anyone connected with agriculture. Gary Crawford has more about it on Agriculture USA: https://www.usda.gov/media/radio/weekly-features/2020-07-28/new-and-free-online-farm-stress-management-course.
ASA is Now Accepting Applications for the Conservation Legacy Awards
Share the story of how conservation is part of your farm operation and you could be recognized with a Conservation Legacy Award. The awards recognize farm management practices of U.S. soybean farmers that are both environmentally friendly and profitable. More information on the award and how to submit your application is available in the “About” section under “Awards” on the ASA website. All applications must be submitted by Sept. 1, 2020.
COMMUNICATIONS NEWS
NAFB Photo Contest – Deadline Sept. 30th
The National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) is accepting entries for its 2021 NAFB Membership Directory cover photo contest. The winning entry will receive $100. Entries will be accepted from June 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2020. To review contest information or to enter your photo(s), please click here.
2021 Commodity Classic Covid-19 Response
We are on track to host the Silver Celebration of Commodity Classic, March 4-6, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. Please rest assured that we will continue to monitor state and federal guidelines related to COVID-19. Our top priority is to provide a safe and healthy environment for all participants at Commodity Classic. We will continue to share information as it becomes available. If you haven’t already, sign up for email updates by clicking HERE.
NATIONAL WHEAT FOUNDATION NEWS
2020 National Wheat Yield Contest: Deadline for Spring Wheat is August 1st!
The 2020 National Wheat Foundation National Wheat Yield Contest is almost closed! The Contest is divided into two primary competition categories: winter wheat and spring wheat, and two subcategories: dryland and irrigated. The Foundation is currently accepting entries for the Spring Wheat category and the deadline to submit is August 1st!