NAWG NEWS
NAWG Applauds USDA’s Decision to Include All Classes of Wheat Into CFAP
On September 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a second round of coronavirus relief payments which extends eligibility to additional classes of wheat. The new $14 billion package now covers producers of all classes of wheat. These add to the durum and hard red spring (HRS) wheat classes which were covered under the first round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
“NAWG thanks Secretary Perdue and his staff for taking our feedback these past several months and expresses great appreciation for making producers of all classes of wheat eligible for CFAP payments,” said NAWG President and Cass City, MI, wheat grower Dave Milligan. “This relief comes at a much-needed time when producers are being hit with depressed prices resulting in part from the effects of COVID-19. Futures prices have dropped more than 12% since beginning of 2020 until early August.”
Read NAWG’s release in its entirety here: https://bit.ly/35Lrrao
NAWG Provides Federal Update to OWGL Board
On September 16, 2020, NAWG Vice President of Policy and Communications Josh Tonsager provided an update to the Oregon Wheat Growers League Board of Directors. Tonsager gave an organizational update and discussed NAWG’s current activities around COVID-19, its recent advocacy work on the hill, and congressional priorities for the upcoming months.
NAWG Blog: The 2020 Election: How the Next Presidential Administration Could Shape Agricultural Policy
NAWG’s Intern Michelle Sutton recently drafted a blog comparing President Donald Trump’s and Former Vice President Joe Biden’s positions on varying ag policies. The blog titled “The 2020 Election: How the Next Presidential Administration Could Shape Agricultural Policy” can be found on the National Wheat Foundation’s blog page here: https://bit.ly/3hUeI7A
NAWG Attends Agri-Pulse’s Virtual Ag and Food Policy Summit
On September 21, 2020, NAWG attended Agri-Pulse’s Ag and Food Policy Summit which was held virtually this year. The theme chosen was identifying links between food security and national security. Speakers included Ambassador Kip Tom, Secretary Sonny Perdue, and Chef Jose Andres. Updates and highlights from the Summit can be found here: #AgandFood20 and on Agri-Pulse’s Twitter page.
INDUSTRY NEWS
House Passes CR with CCC Authorization and Nutrition Aid
On September 22, 2020, the House passed a continuing resolution to fund the government through December 11 including provisions to allow the Agriculture Department to use the Commodity Credit Corporation to make payments to farmers with no interruption and to fund the Pandemic EBT program. The Fence Post did a good summary of the politics around this vote.
Agri-Pulse Becerra Argues Glyphosate Should Get Prop. 65 Warnings
As published in Agri-Pulse on September 16, 2020, the “Attorney General Xavier Becerra is challenging a recent federal court decision barring Proposition 65 cancer warnings for glyphosate-based herbicides. The judge in the case called it misleading to consumers for the state to list the ingredient under the disclosure law, as well as a violation of First Amendment rights for Monsanto. He ruled that the warning was not “‘purely factual and uncontroversial.’” Read more in Agri-Pulse.
ASA Release: So Nice He’s Doing It Twice: Censky Returning to Soy
After serving as the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture since October 2017, on November 9, Stephen Censky will return to the American Soybean Association (ASA) as CEO. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue commented on the change saying, “There is no doubt that I personally, as well as the whole USDA family, will miss Steve’s experience, preparedness, and steady leadership…Steve’s roots are in agriculture and he is one of the best and most professional public servants America has.” Censky led the ASA for 21 years prior to working for the USDA and says, “It is a privilege to return to ASA and represent our nation’s soybean growers.”
USDA Reminds Farmers of September 30 Deadline to Update Safety-Net Program Crop Yields
On September 8, 2020, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) issued a statement reminding farm owners that they have a one-time opportunity to update Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program yields for covered commodities on the farm. The deadline is September 30, 2020, to update yields, which are used to calculate the PLC payments for 2020 through 2023. Additionally, producers who elected Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) should also consider updating their yields. Read more here.
COMMUNICATIONS NEWS
Irrigation Association to Host Webinar Series
The Industry Insights for Agriculture is a weekly webinar series featuring 60-minute sessions (presentation and Q&A). One presentation will be featured each week. The 2020-2021 webinar series invites knowledgeable industry experts to present information about the latest trends and research, a best practice or a how-to. Normally offered on-site during the Irrigation Show and Education Week, Industry Insights is where attendees go to learn about today’s relevant topics. The Industry Insights for Agriculture webinar series will be offered virtually from October 2020 through March 2021. To register and for more details, visit here.
NAFB Photo Contest — Now Open!
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, and the photo will be featured on the cover of the 2021 NAFB Membership Directory. To review contest information or to enter your photo(s), please click here
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
Classic is on track to hold its Silver Celebration of the Commodity Classic. The 2021 Classic is scheduled to take place March 4-6, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. The Classic Committee continues to monitor state and federal guidelines related to COVID-19. Their top priority is to provide a safe and healthy environment for all participants at Commodity Classic. If you haven’t already, sign up for email updates by clicking HERE.
NATIONAL WHEAT FOUNDATION NEWS
Midwest Messenger Publishes Article on NWYC
On September 18, 2020, Midwest Messenger published its article, titled Wheat: Amber Waves Again, on the National Wheat Yield Contest (NWYC) with highlights from the reporters interview with NWYC Executive Director Steve Joehl. Read it here: https://bit.ly/3cubVkE.