Federal

From the Capital Press Since the 2018 Farm Bill expired, many farmers and others are wondering when the new legislation will be written, and that’s impossible to answer at this point. But a new farm bill will be written because of  what is called the “dairy cliff,” according to those familiar with the farm bill process. Read the rest of ... Read More »

According to several news outlets, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is planning to use $1.4 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds to boost ag exports through a new program, the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program. The news comes after U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Boozman (R-Ark.), ranking ... Read More »

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) thank Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) and Sen. Pete Rickets (R-Neb.) for the introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 in the U.S. Senate. The bipartisan legislation would restore the original intent of the Food for Peace ... Read More »

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a call for nominations to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, which advises the Secretary of Agriculture to enhance USDA’s goals for new farming and ranching operations. Members of the public are invited to submit nominations for themselves or other qualified experts by Oct. 10, 2023. Nomination packages should include ... Read More »

From the Capital Press The best-case scenario is that markup of a new farm bill could come by the end of October, said Washington wheat farmer Nicole Berg, past president of the National Association of Wheat Growers. Or, she said, work on the keystone agricultural legislation could spill into next year. Read the rest of the article here. Read More »

From Reuters Chicago wheat futures this week hit their lowest levels in almost three years, yet relative to demand, exportable global wheat supplies are expected to approach historic minimums by mid-2024. In theory, that news should limit further slippage in world wheat prices, but there is one problem: this is a recurring story that has yet to become reality. Read ... Read More »

The Farm Service Agency is reminding producers and landlords that all changes to farming operations for FY 2023 that result in succession of interest in ARC/PLC contracts must be made by Sept. 29, 2023. Changes that can result in succession of interest contracts include things such as a sale of land, changes to an operator or producer on the contract, ... Read More »

In Spokesman Review Op-Ed, WAWG Executive Director Michelle Hennings shared, “In the hottest year ever recorded, another wheat harvest is wrapping up. Extreme weather means it’s more important than ever to preserve the critical infrastructure we depend on to deliver goods to market. The lower Snake River dams provide affordable, clean, and reliable energy for our farms and communities, but ... Read More »

New study details the potential impacts of banning glyphosate A recent study concludes that the loss of glyphosate as a viable tool for agriculture would result in doubled input costs for farmers, increased soil erosion, increased carbon emissions, and increased costs for consumers. “We assess that if glyphosate were no longer available, markets would adapt through substitution and adjusted practices, ... Read More »

Last month, Washington Association of Wheat Growers (WAWG) leaders and staff joined more than a dozen Washington agricultural stakeholders on a trip to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the state’s incredible ag industry at the 4th annual Taste of Washington event. The group included representatives from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, Washington State University, the Washington Grain Commission, the Washington ... Read More »