Skip to content

MN WHEAT WEEKLY WHEATSOURCE

MN WHEAT WEEKLY WHEATSOURCE

  • January 25 1:00 – 3:45 p.m. AND January 26 9:00 – 11:45 a.m. 
  • Program is different each day. 
  • Program Details 
  • Register 

National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) Update (Chandler Goule) 

  • WHIP+ Quality Loss implementation 
    • We are expecting that USDA FSA could announce tomorrow the final WHIP+ quality loss program. NAWG staff will be briefed by FSA and will send out an update with additional information.  
  • 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans 
    • On December 28, the USDA and Health and Human Services (HHS) published the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is the cornerstone of all federal nutrition policy and nutrition education guidelines. The guidelines shape consumer health decisions and doctor recommendations. As these guidelines were being developed, NAWG worked collaboratively as part of the “Grain Chain,” which includes groups like USW, the American Bakers Association, North American Millers Association, and others, in discussing policy options and engaging the agencies. 
    • The key takeaways from the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans for the grains-based foods industry: 
      • Grains, both enriched and whole, play a key role in healthy dietary patterns and diet quality 
      • Grains are a significant contributor of dietary fiber, a generally under-consumed nutrient for Americans 
      • Grains contribute to overall diet quality through key essential nutrients 
      • Grains are a delicious, versatile, affordable, and sustainable plant-based food 
      • Enrichment and fortification of grains are key contributors to positive public health impacts 
      • Since folic acid fortification of enriched grain foods became required in 1998, the prevalence of babies born with neural tube defects (NTDs) has decreased by 35% in the U.S., leading the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) to name folic acid fortification of enriched grains one of the top 10 public health achievements of the first decade of the 21st century 
  • House of Representatives 117th Congress Rules Package 
    • In each new Congress, the respective chambers will formally adopt rules and processes for conducting legislative business for their chamber.  
    • Today, the House of Representatives included in their rules package a provision that would modify the longstanding pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) provision that requires legislation that would increase the deficit to be offset.  
    • While the rules package does not get rid of PAYGO, it would provide the Budget Committee Chair the authority to declare legislation providing economic and heath responses to the pandemic, as well as measures designed to combat climate change, as having no cost — effectively a PAYGO exemption. 
  • Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report on CFAP 2.0 
    • On December 21, CRS published a new report titled USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program: Round Two (CFAP-2) detailing the program implementation, eligibility criteria for commodities and producers, payment formulas by commodity and limits, and potential issues Congress in the future.  
    • Of note, the report poses several questions, including one on the need for additional assistance. In their analysis, CRS finds “if current market conditions persist into the first half of 2021, it would appear that price declines would be a possible reason for a new round of CFAP payments for livestock and dairy, but not for row crops.” [Page 21-22]The full report may be viewed here: https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R46645 

Industry News – MN Farm Bureau Federation Weekly Impact  

Minnesota Legislative Session 

  • Lawmakers gather in Saint Paul tomorrow for the start of the 2021 regular legislative session. At 12:00 p.m. the House and Senate will gavel in to signal the official start to the legislative process. For a look at upcoming committee hearings see, here. 
  • New in 2021, all hearings and floor sessions will be streamed online as the Capitol remains closed to visitors. 

Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Webinar 

  • The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Minnesota is holding a public Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) webinar with the University of Minnesota Extension at 2:00 p.m. on January 12. Farmers and others involved in agriculture will have an opportunity to learn more about the ARC/PLC programs and factors to consider when making elections for the 2021 crop year. 
  • You can join the Minnesota FSA and University of Minnesota Extension ARC/PLC webinar through the following link: Click HERE to join the Jan. 12, 2 p.m. Minnesota Webinar  
  • Participants can register in advance or day of the webinar at z.umn.edu/farmbill2021. The webinar will be recorded and posted for future viewing.  
  • FSA is currently accepting applications for ARC/PLC enrollment through March 15, 2021. To learn more about ARC/PLC visit farmers.gov/arc-plc or contact your local USDA Service Center.

Tax Credit Available for Land, Equipment Expenses to Start Farming 

  • The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Rural Finance Authority is now accepting applications for a tax credit for the sale or lease of land, equipment, machinery, and livestock in Minnesota by beginning farmers. 
  • To qualify, the applicant must be a Minnesota resident with the desire to start farming or who began farming in Minnesota within the past ten years, provide positive projected earnings statements, have a net worth less than $851,000, and enroll in, or have completed an approved financial management program. 
  • The farmer cannot be directly related by blood or marriage to the person from whom he or she is buying or renting assets. The farmer must provide the majority of the labor and management of the farm. 
  • The Beginning Farmer Tax Credit is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be received by October 1, 2021.  
  • Interested farmers should note that they can also apply for a separate tax credit to offset the cost of a financial management program up to a maximum of $1,500 per year – for up to three years. 
  • For more information: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/bftc. 

Registration Open for American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention, Featuring Mike Rowe, Rorke Denver and Beth Ford 

  • AFBF has opened registration for the 2021 American Farm Bureau Virtual Convention and unveiled the lineup of featured speakers including Mike Rowe, Rorke Denver and Beth Ford.  
  • The AFB Virtual Convention will be held Jan. 10-13, 2021, and for the first time ever, registration fees are being waived to give all Farm Bureau members and anyone interested in agriculture the opportunity to experience one of agriculture’s premier events from the comfort and safety of home. 
  • View the full agenda here and register for free here.