Federal

From the Capital Press As President-elect Joe Biden prepares take office on Jan. 20, experts predict his administration will shape agricultural policy by focusing on public health, climate change and rural development, among other key priorities. Four panelists — including three former USDA secretaries — discussed what farmers can expect over the next four years as part of a virtual ... Read More »

Energy and Commerce Committee to benefit under her leadership The Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) congratulates Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) for her recent selection as the Republican leader of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers has been a steadfast advocate of the farmers and ranchers of Eastern Washington. She has fought to make sure the ... Read More »

From U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers Today, the House of Representatives passed the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act (GSA) of 2020, S. 4054. The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) applauds both the House and Senate for their bipartisan work to move the bill forward and reauthorize the GSA through September 30, 2025. NAWG ... Read More »

From Farm Policy Facts During this season of gratitude, we are giving thanks to America’s farmers and ranchers. Not only do America’s strong federal farm policies ensure that we all have reliable access to affordable food, they also share our generous bounty with our neighbors. Nicole Berg, a fourth-generation farmer from Washington State and Vice President of the National Association ... Read More »

From Forbes U.S. freight transport is forecast to grow by 40% over the next two decades. The rapid growth of e-commerce, accelerated by more first time users during the coronavirus pandemic, could push this demand even further. Yet, 70% of all cargo in the U.S. is transported via road. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

Yesterday, the executive committee of the Congressional Western Caucus voted unanimously to elect Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) as chairman of the Western Caucus for the 117th Congress. The Western Caucus, currently led by Chairman Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), is a bipartisan coalition of nearly 70 members of Congress from 35 different states and territories who advocate for rural, western and resource-based communities. ... Read More »

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the sign-up periods for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the CRP Grasslands in 2021. Sign-up for general CRP will be open from Jan. 4, 2021, to Feb. 12, 2021, and sign-up for CRP Grasslands runs from March 15, 2021, to April 23, 2021. Both programs are competitive and provide annual rental ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The reelection defeat of U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson in Minnesota and some key retirements mean a shakeup is coming for the industry on Capitol Hill, with power likely to shift from the Midwest to the South and the coasts. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

The National Wheat Foundation’s (NWF) National Wheat Yield Contest offers growers the opportunity to compete with farmers from across the U.S. and improve their production practices through new and innovative techniques. Today, NWF is announcing the national winners for the 2020 National Wheat Yield Contest. “This year the Foundation is awarding four Bin Buster winners, one from each of the ... Read More »

From NAWG Last week, via zoom, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) held its annual Fall Conference where its policy committees and full board met. NAWG’s annual conference kicked off with its Domestic and Trade Policy Committee meeting, where the committee continued discussions on rail rate policy; domestic farm programs with an eye towards farm bill reauthorization; Grain Standards ... Read More »