NAWG NEWS
NAWG CEO Promotes Jake Westlin
This week, NAWG CEO, Chandler Goule, promoted Jake Westlin to Senior Director of Policy and Communications. Jake joined NAWG in October 2019 and has been a key part of NAWG’s policy team and has managed a host of projects during his tenure. Through Jake’s six years working with Capitol Hill and his work on two farm bills as part of Senator Heitkamp’s (D-ND) legislative team, he has brought a fundamental understanding of agricultural policy to NAWG. Additionally, from his time at Forbes Tate Partners as a research and policy analyst, Jake has an extensive background in agriculture, public lands, as well as food and nutrition policy. In Jake’s new role, he will oversee the policy and communications team and continue being a voice for wheat growers on the Hill.
NAWG’s Secretary Talks about Wheat Prices
NAWG’s Secretary, Keeff Felty, interviewed with The Oklahoman on May 6, 2021. Keeff Felty, a fourth-generation wheat farmer and rancher, agreed that increasing wheat prices has farmers thinking about their options as crops mature. “There is a certain amount that will have to go to hay because people will have a need for it after this harsh winter, but a larger percentage will go to harvest. It is kind of a bright spot for wheat, this year,” Felty said. Read the full story here.
NAWG Supports BASF’s New Crop Protection Technology
BASF is working hard to help farmers with their crops. Their Teraxxa and Teraxxa F4 Seed Treatments eliminate wireworms attacking cereal yield. Featuring a new active ingredient, Broflanilide, these seed treatments outperform and outlast neonicotinoid insecticides, so that cereal crops have the best chances to succeed. Visit their website to learn more about the benefits of Teraxxa and Teraxxa F4 Seed Treatments.
GOVERNMENT AND INDUSTRY NEWS
NAWG Will Add the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) to Weekly Updates
Starting this week, NAWG will add the drought monitor to the weekly updates to help farmers keep up with the drought predictions and news. This week the drought monitor reported a deterioration in drought-related conditions on the map across areas of the West, including California, Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Montana. The USDM reported that the High Plains portions of eastern Colorado and Wyoming saw improvement in drought conditions in response to recent rainfall events and improvement in soil moisture levels. In the Midwest and Northeast, beneficial rainfall during the past two weeks has helped reduce areas of drought on the map. In the South and Southeast, heavy rainfall impacted portions of the region during the past several weeks, leading to reductions in areas of drought in response to improved soil moisture and streamflow levels. To view the map and regional reports, visit the website here.
USDA Releases May WASDE Report
USDA released the May 2021 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. The outlook for U.S. wheat is for smaller supplies, higher domestic use, lower exports, and reduced stocks. For global wheat, the outlook is for larger supplies, higher consumption, increased trade, and marginally higher stocks. The projected global trade of wheat is a record 202.4 million tons. Read the report here.
USDA Nominations and Key Staff Appointments
On Monday, May 10, the Senate Agriculture Committee voted to advance Dr. Jewel Bronaugh’s nomination out of committee, where it now awaits consideration by the full Senate. Read the Senate Agriculture Committee’s press release here. On Tuesday, May 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the names of individuals who will hold key staff positions in Washington, D.C. Read the press release and see the full list here.
USDA Releases Update on Activities to Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic
On Wednesday, May 12, the USDA released a fact sheet reviewing their progress with containing the pandemic based on President Biden’s National Strategy for the COVID-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness. The USDA is offering its facilities, cold chain infrastructure, public health experts, disaster response specialists, and footprint in rural areas and Tribal communities across the country. Read the press release here to see some of the ways USDA is working to contain the pandemic.
Join Farm Journal Foundation for a Discussion on Agricultural Climate Change Solutions
Please join Farm Journal Foundation’s virtual event on May 20, 2021, to discuss the launch of a new report: “How U.S. Agriculture Can Be Part of the Climate Change Solution” that examines how U.S. farmers could significantly reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and help mitigate climate change. The event will feature remarks from Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and William Hohenstein, Director of USDA’s Office of Energy and Environmental Policy. The report is co-authored by Dr. John Reilly of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change and Dr. Stephanie Mercier from Farm Journal Foundation. Register for the online event here.
Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Hosts Agricultural Symposium
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is a leader within the Federal Reserve System on topics related to the U.S. and global agricultural economies. As part of that focus, they host a symposium that brings together industry leaders, government officials, policymakers, and economists to discuss current and emerging trends in the agricultural sector. The 2021 Agricultural Symposium, “The Roots of Agricultural Productivity Growth” will explore the key drivers of the persistent growth in agricultural productivity, linkages to other industries, and environmental considerations. The 2021 Agricultural Symposium will take place virtually on May 24-25. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Find more information and register here.
NATIONAL WHEAT FOUNDATION NEWS
REMINDER: Only 2 Days Left to Enter the Winter Wheat Category in the National Wheat Yield Contest!
The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) is officially accepting grower enrollment for the 2021 National Wheat Yield Contest! The Contest is divided into two primary competition categories: winter wheat and spring wheat, and two subcategories: dryland and irrigated. The Foundation is accepting entries for Winter and Spring Wheat. The deadline for Winter Wheat entries is May 15th. The Spring wheat entry deadline is August 1st, with an early registration deadline of June 15th. The wheat contest is administered entirely online, and growers can register at www.yieldcontest.