WAWG
From NAWG
This week, Congress is working to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) spending package to fund the government through April 28, 2017. As of this writing, the House has passed it, and a Senate vote is expected today or tomorrow. The National Association of Wheat Growers and the Washington Association of Wheat Growers is pleased to see that Congress has allocated resources for the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) direct and guaranteed operating and ownership loan programs, which have been in abnormally high demand following an extended period of low prices for wheat farmers.
Section 146 of the CR includes language to ensure sufficient funding to cover the FSA loan programs “up to the rate for operations necessary to fund loans for which applications are approved.” We applaud Congress’ attention to this important issue, particularly since funding through those programs ran out several months before the end of FY 2016.
With commodity prices expected to remain at the current low levels, it is important that sufficient funding for these programs are available throughout the year. We will also work to ensure fully authorized funding is authorized for critical research programs for wheat, including the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative and the Small Grains Genomic Initiative, as well as others that will help wheat growers.