On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act establishing the Department of Agriculture. Five days later, he signed the Homestead Act, which opened up western lands to settlement, including much of today’s wheat production region. Later that summer, Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, establishing the system of “land grant” universities that are still vital to wheat and other agricultural research.

Today, USDA handles a diverse portfolio, administering nutrition, risk management, conservation and trade promotion programs as well as food inspection and safety services and vital public research on crops including wheat.

“The original vision for USDA, the Homestead Act and the Morrill Act was to help America’s farmers and ranchers provide a safe, ample food supply for our nation and the world,” said Erik Younggren, a wheat farmer from Hallock, Minn., and president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). “Agriculture has changed a lot since the 1800s, and yet USDA remains vital to our farms, our nation’s lands, our nation’s food security and safety and our economy.”

Since 1860, the percentage of the population working in agriculture has declined from about 48 percent to just seven-tenths of a percent of all Americans. This makes the farmers who remain on the land — and the innovations they have incorporated into their operations to make them more efficient — vitally important to the nation and the world.

“From its support for research and export market development to inspecting our food and helping maintain a safety net for farmers, USDA has had a positive and lasting impact on the wheat industry, American agriculture and the lives of every American,” said Randy Suess, a wheat farmer from Colfax, Wash., and chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates.

In this anniversary year, the wheat industry encourages farmers and consumers to learn more about USDA’s contributions to the strength of our nation and to see how the agency can continue to partner with Americans working to provide better lives for their families.

To read and see more from USDA about its 150th anniversary, visit www.usda.gov/usda150.

Visit http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/05/10-ways-to-celebrate-usdas-150th-anniversary-on-tuesday/ to learn more ways to celebrate the milestone, or search #usda150 on Twitter for the latest anniversary news.

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The pact immediately eliminates all tariffs on U.S. wheat imports to Colombia and ends a significant tariff disadvantage U.S. farmers have faced compared to Canadian and Argentine wheat imports there.

“This is a very good day for wheat farmers,” said Randy Suess, a wheat farmer from Colfax, Wash., and chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW).

“The tariff situation has basically forced our largest customer, historically, in South America to buy more wheat from Canada and Argentina. Now our customers in Colombia will not have to pay the tariff, and we can compete equally on the basis of quality, supply and service.”

Implementing this FTA is particularly important to U.S. wheat farmers, who rely on exports to market about half of their crops each year. In marketing year 2010/2011, Colombia imported from Gulf and Pacific Northwest tributaries about 800,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat from five of six classes. However, U.S. wheat sales for this marketing year are down about 45 percent year on year, mainly due to the Canada-Colombia FTA that went into effect on Aug. 15, 2011. Wheat imported from Argentina has also enjoyed duty-free status under the South American Mercosur trade agreement.

“A lot of people have joined us in working hard to get the U.S.-Colombia agreement approved by Congress, signed by the President and now implemented,” said Erik Younggren, a wheat farmer from Hallock, Minn., and president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).

“While the process of removing our trade barriers with Colombia has been a long one, we are eager to get this market back on track.”

The U.S. wheat industry believes this agreement, along with the recently implemented FTA with South Korea and a pending FTA with Panama, will help the United States rebuild and expand markets, grow our economy at home and maintain the status of the United States as the most reliable supplier of wheat in the world.

The industry appreciates the hard work and support of Colombian flour millers and government officials throughout the process, as well as the efforts of trade supporters in Congress and the Bush and Obama Administrations.

More about trade issues of importance to wheat growers is at http://www.wheatworld.org/issues/trade/ or http://www.uswheat.org/whatWeDo/tradePolicy.

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The Department was founded in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation creating what he called “the People’s Department.”

Today, USDA handles a diverse portfolio, ranging from administering nutrition programs that serve nearly 50 million people, farm safety net and conservation programs to managing food inspection and safety services and vital public research on crops including wheat.

Through this varied work, the Department touches every American, every day.

How are you going to celebrate? We couldn’t think of 150 ideas, but here are 10 to get you started:

1. Learn about the three important acts Lincoln signed in the spring and summer of 1862 that still affect the food system today. These acts founded USDA, opened western lands for settlement by farmers and established the system of land-grant universities that continues to lead the way in agriculture innovation. Much more is at www.usda.gov/usda150.
2. Participate in a virtual conversation about the USDA anniversary with the hashtags #AskUSDA and #USDA150. The conversation can be followed live online by following the same hash tags at search.twitter.com or through your favorite Twitter management program.
3. Call your Representatives and Senators to tell them why you support USDA’s work. Need more specific ideas? Learn about the importance of public research at www.wheatworld.org/research.
4. Post your congratulations and thanks to the Department and its many employees on Facebook…
5. …and Twitter!
6. Arrange to visit a school in your area to talk about farming and where food comes from. Some kids, even in rural areas, may have never seen someone who produces their food!
7. Sign up for e-mails alerts with 150th anniversary factoids at www.usda.gov/usda150.
8. Watch the archived webcast of a panel discussion between eight former Secretaries of Agriculture, online at the bottom of the main USDA 150 website page, www.usda.gov/usda150.
9. Check out your favorite episode of America’s Heartland, public TV’s only show about farmers and farming. Over seven seasons, 150 episodes have been produced…so maybe plan to watch more than one.
10. Eat! Enjoy the fruits, vegetables, meats and especially grains of farmers’ labor, with USDA’s vital support!

The next step forward is almost certainly Senate consideration of a bill approved by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee on April 26 by a 16 to 5 vote.

NAWG and other farm groups continue to analyze the bill and its final provisions in preparation for floor debate.

This week, the Committee released a 17-page summary of the bill, available with other documents at http://www.ag.senate.gov/issues/farm-bill.

Senate Agriculture leaders have not yet announced when the bill might come to the floor, though just two weeks remain in the targeted period of before the Memorial Day recess.

On Monday, NAWG joined more than 125 other stakeholder organizations in urging Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to bring the bill to the floor as quickly as possible.

“The stakeholders we represent need to know details of the programs which will be in effect in 2013 as soon as possible,” the groups wrote. “Timely action will also enhance prospects for completing new legislation this year rather than needing to extend current program authorities.”

A Dear Colleague letter urging quick scheduling of the full Senate farm bill debate is also circulating, which NAWG has encouraged all Senators to sign onto.

The House farm bill process is also well under way, with House Agriculture Committee subcommittees continuing a series of hearings on key farm policy issues ahead of a mark-up.

Hearings this week covered nutrition and credit policies, with a series set to continue next week covering farm policy programs and crop insurance as well as bioenergy programs. NAWG President Erik Younggren, a farmer from Hallock, Minn., will be in Washington for the farm policy hearing, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Both House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) have expressed concerns with the Senate bill’s revenue protection program, saying it would not protect producers as well in times of low prices.

The House bill is expected to be different than the Senate bill for this and other reasons and is likely to include a price protection mechanism, perhaps in addition to a revenue protection mechanism.

Another major difference between the House and Senate bills will likely be the cuts to nutrition programs, which account for about 80 percent of farm bill spending.

Senate cuts to the programs, led by SNAP at nearly $80 billion per year, totaled just $4 billon over 10 years. By comparison, the House Agriculture Committee recently approved $33 billion in cuts to nutrition programs over a 10-year period to fulfill budget reconciliation instructions. While that vote was largely political, it does indicate sentiment among some on the panel, which could impact farm bill language coming out of that chamber.

More from the House Agriculture Committee on its subcommittee hearings is at http://agriculture.house.gov.

A full copy of the letter sent to Senate leaders this week is at www.wheatworld.org/farmbill.

The 47-member conference committee is charged with bridging the gap between the House’s five-year, $260 billion extension and the Senate’s two-year, $109 billion bill.

Current surface transportation law expires on June 30. The law has been extended a number of times since 2009, when the last long-term transportation measure expired.

The bills being conferenced affect construction projects around the country and authorize the federal gas tax that pays for them. Though considered a surface transportation measure, the bill also includes provisions related to railways and waterways.

The Senate version of the legislation, S. 1813, has a number of provisions important to rail customers, including establishing a timeline for rate cases taken to the Surface Transportation Board (STB), requiring the STB to issue quarterly reports of complaints received and changing the maximum relief possible for shippers in “simplified” rate procedures.

Also included in the final Senate bill were amendments addressing exemptions from commercial trucking requirements for agriculture-related intrastate commerce and clarifying the agriculture hours-of-service exemption.

This week, NAWG signed on to two letters supporting rail and maritime provisions under consideration.

One letter, sent to the chairmen and ranking members of the relevant committees in both chambers, urged the conference committee to include the freight rail subtitle from the Senate’s version of the bill in the final compromise package.

NAWG and the 11 other signatories said the rail provisions were “modest steps that we believe would contribute to a better balance between shipper and carrier interests in rail policy deliberations at the Surface Transportation Board (STB), and make the agency more accountable, transparent and effective.”

A second letter, also with a dozen signatures, urged inclusion of the Realize America’s Maritime Promise (RAMP) Act, or H.R. 104. This bill would ensure that monies collected in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are actually used for operations and maintenance of U.S. ports, waterways and harbors. It was included in the House-passed surface transportation measure.

Both letters sent this week are available in full online at www.wheatworld.org/transportation under “Statements and Testimony.”

The survey was sponsored by the International Food Information Council (IFIC), which released the results Thursday.

Overall, most consumers surveyed indicated favorable or neutral impressions of plant biotechnology, with no one surveyed saying they are avoiding foods with biotech-derived ingredients.

Asked to describe what additional information they would like about food products, less than 1 percent of the survey respondents said they want to see information about biotech-derived ingredients on product labels.

Comparatively, nearly 9 percent of respondents said they’d like to see more about a food’s nutrition and about 6 percent of respondents said they’d like to see more about food safety. The vast majority, 76 percent, said they could not think of anything they’d like to see added to a food’s label.

The recent survey is IFIC’s 15th food technology survey since 1997, the longest running of its kind.

Compared to the last IFIC technology survey in 2010, the results of this survey show little change in attitudes among consumers with regards to their overall impression of using biotechnology in wheat to produce food products like bread, crackers, cereal and pasta.

Consumers indicated they are supportive of biotechnology when considering its potential benefits. For instance, about 70 percent of consumers surveyed this year indicated they would be willing to buy products made from wheat produced using biotechnology if it provided additional nutritional benefits or was grown using less land, water or pesticides. Because wheat is the most widely grown crop in the world and the source of 20 percent of the world’s food calories, these attributes could have tremendous benefits.

Wheat produced using biotechnology is not in commercial production anywhere in the world, and the introduction of biotech wheat is still an estimated seven to 10 years away.

However, scientists at public universities and private companies in the United States and around the world have increased their commitments to wheat improvement in recent years and are working with both conventional and biotech breeding tools to develop new varieties that will improve yield and reduce input needs.

NAWG, which represents U.S. wheat growers domestically, and U.S. Wheat Associates, which represents U.S. wheat growers in overseas markets, are committed to providing wheat farmers with the opportunity to utilize biotechnology to increase productivity while decreasing environmental impacts.

More about the wheat value chain’s work toward wheat biotechnology is at www.wheatworld.org/biotech and www.uswheat.org/whatWeDo/tradePolicy/biotech.

More results from the IFIC technology survey are at http://www.foodinsight.org.

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NAWG Officers Visit Washington for Spring Meetings, Hill Visits

NAWG’s officers are in Washington, D.C., for spring business meetings and visits on Capitol Hill. The five grower-leaders who make up the executive team will be in town until Sunday and have plans to review Association and policy committee goals; discuss NAWG’s recent strategic planning session; and schedule outreach for the year. The officers spent Thursday on the Hill, meeting with staff from both Agriculture Committees and more than a dozen House offices.

Congress Back Next Week; Farm Bill on the Senate Floor Soon?

Congress is scheduled to be back in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 7. NAWG and other agriculture groups are pushing for floor consideration of the farm bill legislation approved last week by the Senate Agriculture Committee. No date for that floor time has been announced, though Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has reportedly promised to move it forward in the near-term. On the other side of Capitol Hill, House Agriculture Committee subcommittees will continue their hearings on key farm bill topics through mid-May.

Department of Labor Drops Proposal to Restrict Kids’ Work on Farms

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced April 26 it is withdrawing a proposed rule farmers and farm groups were concerned would have had a sweeping impact on agricultural operations and farm education. The DOL said the proposal was withdrawn in part due to the volume of response received from the farm community, and that it would not be reconsidered during the Obama Administration. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told members of the press he would like to focus on education about child safety on the farm, rather than regulation. The full DOL statement is at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120826.htm.

NAWG Urges Growers to Voice Support for Surface Transport Reauthorization

NAWG is urging member-states and wheat farmers to contact Members of Congress and voice support for the ongoing conference of recently-passed surface transportation legislation. The three-month extension of current federal highway programs also includes provisions related to railroads and waterways. Conferees are seeking to find a compromise between the House’s desired five-year, $260 billion extension and the Senate’s two-year, $109 billion bill. The Senate version of the legislation, S. 1813, has a number of provisions important to rail customers, including establishing a timeline for rate cases taken to the Surface Transportation Board (STB), requiring the STB to issue quarterly reports of complaints received and changing the maximum relief possible for shippers in “simplified” rate procedures.

As Problem Spreads, Ag Leaders Support Funding for Sawfly Research

A coalition of policy makers recently wrote USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS) urging the agency to devote more resources to fighting wheat stem sawfly. Sawfly has been a problem – and the subject of intense research – for almost a decade in North Dakota and Montana. There is now evidence the pest is spreading, with damage reported as far south as Kansas and Colorado and as far east as Minnesota. Wheat yields in affected areas are reduced 15 to 30 percent each year, primarily because the fly cuts the grain stem so it cannot be harvested. Signatories of the letter included Reps. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Rick Berg (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) A release from Rehberg on the letter is at http://rehberg.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=26&sectiontree=5,26.

Michigan Wheat Checkoff Collection Begins

The new Michigan Wheat Program began collecting checkoff dollars on wheat delivered as of May 1. Michigan wheat farmers approved a referendum to establish a checkoff program last summer, since which time the board’s nine members have been appointed and hired executive director Jody Pollock-Newsom. The board’s activities will focus on wheat research, education, information delivery, market development and industry collaboration. Assessments to fund program activities are 0.5 percent of the value of the wheat sold. Michigan Farm Bureau reports that approximately 8,000 Michigan farmers plant 600,000 to 700,000 acres of wheat each year, making wheat the state’s third most valuable crop.

AGree Coalition Presents Its “Vision for 2030”

Members of AGree held a panel discussion in Washington this week to unveil its vision for the global agricultural and food system in 2030. The initiative is designed to inform and address food and agriculture policy issues through the direct engagement of diverse groups. It has developed a framework to guide its work, focusing on four interrelated challenges: 1) meeting future demand for food; 2) conserving and enhancing natural resources; 3) improving nutrition and public health; and 4) strengthening farms, workers and communities. In 2012 and 2013, the group said it will focus on five areas related to research, education and extension, access to nutritious food, environmental sustainability, farm workforce issues and the urgent need to attract more young people to agriculture. AGree is backed by nine of the United States’ largest foundations. More about AGree’s work is online at http://www.foodandagpolicy.org.

NAWG Promotes Stafford to Government Affairs Representative

NAWG promoted policy assistant Will Stafford this week to the position of government affairs representative, covering trade, transportation and financial markets policy. Stafford has been at NAWG since September, working first as an intern and later as a policy assistant. More on the announcement and Stafford’s background is at http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/05/stafford-promoted-to-government-affairs-representative/.

In his new role, Stafford will work closely with Manager of Government Relations for Risk Management Brooke Shupe, who also recently joined the Association, as well as the rest of the NAWG government affairs team, NAWG’s grower-leaders and U.S. Wheat Associates’ trade policy team.

Stafford has been at NAWG since September of last year, when he joined the Washington, D.C.-based staff as an intern. He became the staff’s policy assistant at the beginning of 2012 and will now move into full-time government affairs work with a unique policy portfolio.

“In the months since Will came to NAWG, we have found him to be an invaluable part of our team,” said Dana Peterson, NAWG’s chief executive officer. “I was pleased to be able to elevate his work here and have every confidence he will grow into a successful career in agriculture advocacy.”

A Maryland native, Stafford graduated in May 2011 from Towson University, which is near Baltimore. He studied economics and business administration.

During his time at NAWG, Stafford has assisted the government affairs staff, focusing on trade, financial markets, biotechnology and environmental policy. In addition to work related to NAWG’s winter meetings and research fly-in, Stafford has represented NAWG at Hill and media events and has written stories for NAWG’s weekly news update.

“I am extremely excited to continue to be a part of the NAWG team, especially in these important times for agriculture policy,” Stafford said.

“I cannot stress how much I have appreciated learning about wheat and agriculture from NAWG members and staff over the past year, and I am very proud to be able to continue to support America’s wheat farmers.”

Stafford is reachable at wstafford (at) wheatworld.org or 202-547-7800 x 8.

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Contact: Melissa George Kessler, Director of Communications, mkessler (at) wheatworld.org

The bill, formally known as the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act, will now move to the Senate floor for debate, which has reportedly been promised by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), likely within the next few weeks.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scored the manager’s amendment offered at the outset of the mark-up as saving $24.7 billion over 10 years.

That version of the bill replaced the existing direct and counter cyclical, ACRE and SURE programs with an enhanced crop insurance package supplemented by a new Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program to partially offset revenue losses between 89 percent and 79 percent of benchmark revenue. The existing non-recourse marketing loan program was maintained.

An amendment from Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) restored a streamlined definition of “benchmark revenue” as included in the chairwoman’s original mark, released on Friday. This means the ARC program’s benchmark revenue would be based on the five-year Olympic average of individual yield or county yield times the five-year Olympic average of the five-month national average market price received by producers.

Program payments would be paid on a capped planted acres level, 65 percent for those opting for individual farm coverage, and 85 percent for those opting for county-level coverage. With either option, payments would be made based on 45 percent of acres in instances where weather prevents planting.

The manager’s amendment also created a special rule for rice and peanut prices; reduced the adjusted gross income (AGI) cap to $750,000; redefined what qualifies a producer as “actively engaged”; and reauthorized the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI).

A substitute energy title, proposed by Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) and Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.), was adopted at the mark-up. It would convert existing and new energy program monies from discretionary funds, which must be allocated each year, to mandatory funds. Funding for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which helps producers seeking to provide feedstock for cellulosic ethanol, was increased to $38 million in each fiscal year, for a total of $152 million over the life of the farm bill.

Numerous amendments were introduced and withdrawn at Thursday’s mark-up, including one from Baucus to clarify payment terms for sales to Cuba; one from Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) allocating money within USDA for “classical” breeding; and one from Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) to allow changes to immigration policy related to farm workers.

The mark-up was originally scheduled for Wednesday but delayed following concerns from Members related to the farm safety net revisions outlined in the original mark from Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-Kan.).

NAWG and more than 75 other groups wrote agriculture leaders this week urging the mark-up to proceed so the bill can move relatively quickly toward floor consideration before Memorial Day recess.

Five Senators ultimately declined to support the bill, including Chambliss; Gillibrand; Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.); Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.); and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who voted by proxy.

NAWG will continue to work with Senators as they negotiate any changes to the bill, as well as with House leaders as they finalize that chamber’s draft of the 2012 Farm Bill legislation

The conversation hearing focused on how conversation programs should be structured in the 2012 Farm Bill.

There are currently more than 20 conservation programs and subprograms under the auspices of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), though it is likely the new farm bill will streamline existing programs into buckets for land retirement programs, easement programs, working-lands programs and cost-share programs.

Garry Niemeyer, the president of the National Corn Growers Association and a farmer from Illinois, testified at the hearing on behalf of corn growers and with the support of NAWG, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Cotton Council, the National Farmers Union and USA Rice Federation.

He voiced support for a proposal that would consolidate the existing 23 programs into 13 while maintaining the current conservation tools available to farmers, and he urged Members to ensure budget cuts do not jeopardize program effectiveness.

“We are confident that with the right mix of policies, U.S. agriculture will help the world to meet these growing demands in a sustainable way, while at the same time remaining a bright spot in our nation’s economy and contributing to its recovery,” he said.

Additional witnesses at the hearing represented the National Association of Conservation Districts; American Farmland Trust; the Family Farm Alliance; Pheasants Forever, Inc.; Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance; the National Grain and Feed Association; the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition; Environmental Defense Fund; and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

More from the conservation hearing is at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/hearingDetails.aspx?NewsID=1568.

A full list of the scheduled hearings is at http://agriculture.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1564.

The allocation for USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS) was closely in-line with the Obama Administration’s proposed budget and the ARS budget for FY2012, at a total of $1.101 billion. USDA’s flagship competitive grants program, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) was increased to $298 million from FY2012 appropriations of $264 million, though it is authorized to receive up to $700 million in the 2008 Farm Bill.

The appropriations measure maintains FY2012 food aid spending under PL-480 Title II at $1.466 billion, $66 million more than requested. The McGovern-Dole international school feeding program was maintained at FY2012 levels of $184 million.

The bill provided $411 million for farm loan programs through the Farm Service Agency (FSA); $1.208 billion for FSA salaries and expenses; and $828 million for Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. The bill also fully funded the Market Access Program (MAP) at $200 million and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program at $34.5 million.

The Senate bill increased Food and Drug Administration (FDA) funding to implement new food safety laws by $12.5 million.

The House Appropriations Committee has not yet considered its version of the FY2013 agriculture measure. The House-passed budget resolution provided a total of $19.405 billion for discretionary agriculture spending, about $1.380 billion less than the Senate allocation.

The House budget also required the House Agriculture Committee to identify $33 billion in reconciliation cuts before the end of this week. The Committee voted April 18 to take the full amount from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the food stamp program, reductions that are unlikely to become law due to opposition in the Senate.

It is widely expected Congress will approve an omnibus appropriations measure sometime in the fall to fund the government, which may or may not take into consideration the appropriations committees’ work.

More on the agriculture measure passed this week by Senate Appropriations is at http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news.cfm.

As manager of government affairs for risk management, Shupe will be responsible for designing, implementing and advocating NAWG’s policies in the areas of federal crop insurance and federal farm programs.

Shupe began her new position on Tuesday, April 24, as the Senate neared consideration of a 2012 Farm Bill draft.

“During this critical period of farm bill debate, we are delighted to have Brooke joining our staff to help us analyze and lobby for positive policies for wheat growers,” said Dana Peterson, NAWG’s chief executive officer.

Prior to coming to NAWG, Shupe worked on the professional staff of the House Small Business Committee under the panel’’ chairman, Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), focusing on agriculture and environmental issues.

She previously worked in Graves’ personal office, including as a legislative assistant handling issues like immigration, trade and the environment in addition to the Congressman’s assignment to the House Committee on Agriculture.

“I am very excited to join the National Association of Wheat Growers and to hit the ground running as negotiations continue on the next farm bill,” Shupe said.

“Growing up on a farm in rural Missouri, where my family grows wheat, I know how important sound risk management policies are for wheat producers and their families, communities and consumers.  I look forward to working with NAWG’s outstanding team in support of our members and their goals.”

Shupe holds a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management with minors in international agriculture and political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

She was raised on her family’s row crop and cattle farm, near Stanberry, in northwest Missouri.

Shupe is reachable at bshupe (at) wheatworld.org or 202-547-7800 x 3.

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Contact: Melissa George Kessler, Director of Communications, mkessler (at) wheatworld.org

“We urge the Senate Agriculture Committee to hold and complete its mark-up of 2012 Farm Bill legislation this week.

“We understand the importance of building consensus around the key provisions of this important legislation. We also know crafting a bill that addresses the wide range of needs is a herculean task. But time is short – for committee approval, Senate floor time and full consideration by agriculture leaders in the House of Representatives.

“The next crop year for wheat farmers will be here in a few short months. These producers need to know a strong, crop-insurance-based safety net will be available to them after the current farm bill expires on Sept. 30. Now is the time for forward movement.”

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Contact: Melissa George Kessler, Director of Communications, mkessler (at) wheatworld.org

 U.S-Colombia FTA to be implemented May 15

President Barack Obama and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos announced this week that the countries will implement the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement (FTA) on May 15. Implementation of the FTA will eliminate all tariffs on U.S. wheat imports into Colombia. The agreement creates a level playing field for U.S. wheat farmers, as export competitors Canada and Argentina already enjoy duty-free access to the market. The U.S. wheat industry has been supportive of the FTAs with Colombia, South Korea, Panama and other free trade measures. “All three of these pacts are important to wheat farmers, who depend on exports to sell about half of the wheat we grow every year,” said Erik Younggren, President of NAWG. “The implementation of both the U.S.-Colombia and the U.S.-Korea FTAs gives us encouragement that we will soon see the agreement with Panama complete in the very near future.” A news release is available at http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/04/u-s-wheat-industry-welcomes-u-s-colombia-fta-implementation-date/.

House Agriculture Committee Cuts $33 Billion from Food Stamps over Next Decade

Members of the House Agriculture Committee decided Wednesday to tighten the rules for qualifying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as the food stamp program, as well as repeal increases to the program’s funding. This will result in one, five and 10-year savings estimates of $7.7 billion, $19.7 billion and $33.2 billion, respectively. This move, which is unlikely to pass in the Senate, is one of many that will aim to reconcile Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) House budget guidelines. More information on and audio/video of the meeting is available through the Committee’s website at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/.

Farm Groups Weigh In on Commodity and Risk Management Programs

In a letter Thursday to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-KS), eight agricultural associations, including NAWG, voiced support for the Senate’s approach to the 2012 Farm Bill and raised several issues related to commodity and risk management programs. The letter commended the committee for adhering to its original proposal of $23 million in deficit reduction, brought forth to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction last fall. Additionally, the groups applauded the Committee’s decision not to restructure the federal crop insurance program or to reduce its funding for deficit reduction purposes. In a joint release about the letter, Erik Younggren, NAWG President commented, “We support this framework that would allow us to continue to protect our nation’s crops and livestock farms so they can continue to deliver a safe, secure food supply that supports thousands of jobs along the value chain to our consumers.” The letter can be accessed at http://www.wheatworld.org/wp-content/uploads/Senate-Agriculture-Committee-Letter-for-web.pdf with a news release at http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/04/farm-groups-weigh-in-on-commodity-and-risk-management-programs-as-senate-ag-begins-farm-bill-mark-up/

Senate Ag Committee Mark Up Next Week

This week the leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee commented publically that the committee’s farm bill markup will begin next Wednesday and is expected to be done by the end of the week with a strong majority of the committee voting for it. Chairwoman Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) stated there is “a tremendous amount of consensus on the majority of the bill.” She also commented that she is “confident’ that Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will find floor time for the bill. The Senate committee leaders have presented a united front with leaders of the House Agriculture Committee in reauthorization of the 5-year legislation that expires September 30th of this year.

House Announces Farm Bill Hearing Schedule

The House Ag Committee released a schedule this week for upcoming Farm Bill hearings which Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) described as the “time for national agricultural leaders and stakeholders to present their views on farm policy.” Six subcommittees will hold hearings over the next two months beginning Wednesday, April 25, 2012 with the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture. The hearings in Washington follow several field hearings which conclude April 20, in Dodge City, Kansas and can be followed online at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings. NAWG continues to meet with Members of Congress to discuss priorities, including the farm bill reauthorization process. More information on the upcoming hearings can be found at http://agriculture.house.gov.

TPP Business Coalition Holds Launch Event on the Hill

The U.S. Business Coalition for Trans-Pacific Partnership hosted an event this week on Capitol Hill to highlight the importance of TPP negations, which the Coalition says will promote economic opportunities and competitiveness, the creation and retention of jobs, higher living standards, and the reduction of poverty across all TPP countries. Attendees of the event included U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-CA), as well as Ambassadors or representatives from all the TPP partner countries. TPP represents an important opportunity for wheat, as eliminated tariffs and trade restrictions would help U.S. agriculture exports to increase in the quickly growing Pacific Rim. Japan, who is the United State’s largest importer of wheat, has also expressed interest in joining TPP discussions. To learn more about trade in the wheat industry visit www.wheatworld.org/trade.

Co-signed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Sunflower Association, U.S. Canola Association and USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, the letter commended the committee for adhering to its original proposal of $23 billion in deficit reduction, brought forth to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction last fall. Additionally, the groups applauded the Committee’s decision not to restructure the federal crop insurance program or to reduce its funding for deficit reduction purposes.

“Even with the clear and real need to reduce our federal deficit, it remains in the best interest of our nation to help ensure a basic level of risk management for farmers and our food supply,” said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman. “Farming is a risky business. There is no doubt about that, and crop insurance is a key principle in the goal to provide farmers a dependable safety net.”

“Crop insurance,” stated the groups, “is the core risk management tool used by our producers, and the current program should serve as the foundation for providing additional protection against loss.”

In response to concerns from other commodity groups about a revenue-based approach, the groups advocate making changes in the crop insurance program to enhance its viability as a risk management tool, while maintaining the effectiveness of the existing program for other commodities. The groups do not, however, support program alternatives that tie current-year production to fixed price supports, which can distort planting decisions and production between commodities when market prices decline.

“NCGA strongly believes a farmer should be able to absorb a price or yield loss in any given year,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, a corn grower from Auburn, IL. “However, we are trying to protect farmers, especially young farmers, when they are facing these types of losses multiple years in a row.”

In addition to crop insurance, the groups advocated heavily for planting flexibility for farmers. “Our top policy priority for Title 1 in the 2012 Farm Bill is to maintain full planting flexibility and avoid potential planting distortions, so producers are encouraged to follow market signals rather than making planting decisions in anticipation of receiving payments under government programs,” stated the groups. “With the anticipated elimination of direct payments and possible restructuring or elimination of the counter-cyclical program, it is imperative that any alternative program included in the next farm bill be structured in a manner to not distort planting decisions and to provide full planting flexibility.”

“Planting flexibility and limiting planting distortions are musts, not only for soybean farmers, but for farmers in each commodity group,” said ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. “We need policies in place that allow and encourage farmers to plant for the market, and not for the government program. Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Roberts have done a wonderful job thus far in representing the diverse needs of American agriculture in this farm bill process, and we look for that leadership to continue in what appears to be the home stretch.”

In the letter, the groups also advanced their concept for a new program to complement the risk protection provided under crop insurance. “Our organizations support an approach that partially compensates for current-year revenue losses on a crop-specific basis,” said the groups. “We believe this approach would have an insignificant impact on planting decisions because of the percentage of risk covered. Also, revenue benchmarks would be adjusted annually to reflect recent average commodity prices, and certification of revenue loss would be required.”

“We support this framework that would allow us to continue protect our nation’s crops and livestock farms so they can continue to deliver a safe, secure food supply that supports thousands of jobs along the value chain to our consumers,” added NAWG President and Hallock, Minn.-based wheat farmer Erik Younggren.

Finally, the groups advocated the continuation of the marketing loan program, urging the Committee to oppose any changes in current law regarding payment limitations or eligibility for farm programs based on Adjusted Gross Income. “Currently, 98 percent of U.S. producers participate in the farm program and comply with their conservation requirements,” stated the groups in the letter. “It is important that farmers remain in the program so that our country can maintain conservation compliance on agricultural lands.”

“Both in their various communities and here in Washington, each of our groups has put so much time and effort into crafting a solvent, practical farm bill that works for American farmers,” said NBGA President Scott Brown, a barley grower from Soda Springs, Idaho. “As the House schedules its hearings on the bill, we are encouraged by our progress, and we look forward to continuing our work with both chambers in the interest of farmers nationwide.”

A copy of the letter is available for media by contacting the organization representatives listed below.

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Media Contacts:

American Farm Bureau Federation: Mace Thornton, 202-406-3641, macet@fb.org
American Soybean Association: Patrick Delaney, 202-969-7040, pdelaney@soy.org
National Association of Wheat Growers: Dana Peterson, 202-547-7800, dpeterson@wheatworld.org
National Barley Growers Association: Travis Jones, 208-345-0706, tjones@idahograin.org
National Corn Growers Association: Janice Tolley Walters, 202-628-7001, walters@dc.ncga.com
National Sunflower Association: Sonia Mullally, 701-328-5104, soniam@sunflowernsa.com
U.S. Canola Association: Angela Dansby, 773-472-2911, angela@uscanola.com
USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council: Erica Beck, 208-882-3023, ebeck@pea-lentil.com

Implementation of the FTA will eliminate all tariffs on U.S. wheat imports into Colombia. The agreement creates a level playing field for U.S. wheat farmers, as export competitors Canada and Argentina already enjoy duty-free access to the market.

“We are extremely pleased to see this FTA set for implementation,” said Alvaro de la Fuente, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) regional vice president for South America. “Our extensive efforts over the nearly six years since the agreement was first signed have finally become a reality and U.S. wheat exports will now compete on an equal basis with other major exporters.”

Colombia is currently the second largest destination for U.S. wheat in South America. In marketing year 2010/11, Colombia imported about 800,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat from five of the six U.S. wheat classes. The implementation of the FTA will help the United States regain the market share lost this year after the Canada-Colombia FTA went into effect on Aug. 15, 2011.

“We have already started the push to win back the wheat export business we lost without this FTA in effect,” said Randy Suess, a wheat farmer from Colfax, WA, and USW. “Based on our work, we know this agreement, and others like them, will help us rebuild and expand markets, grow our economy here at home and remain the most reliable supplier of wheat in the world.”

The U.S. wheat industry has been highly supportive of the FTAs with Colombia, South Korea and Panama and other free trade measures.

“All three of these pacts are important to wheat farmers, who depend on exports to sell about half of the wheat we grow every year,” said Erik Younggren, a wheat farmer from Hallock, MN, and president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). “The implementation of both the U.S.-Colombia and the U.S.-Korea FTAs gives us encouragement that we will soon see the agreement with Panama complete in the very near future.”

The United States is the world’s largest wheat exporter, offering customers around the globe a reliable, high-quality supply of six wheat classes. In the 2010/2011 marketing year, ended May 31, 2011, the U.S. exported nearly 1.3 billion bushels (35.4 million metric tons) of wheat valued at $10.3 billion, supporting thousands of jobs and economic benefits across the country. More on the industry’s trade work is at www.wheatworld.org/trade or www.uswheat.org/whatwedo/tradepolicy.

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Contact: Will Stafford, NAWG, wstafford (at)wheatworld.org, 202-547-7800 x 8

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Congress Set to Return to D.C. on Monday

Congress’ two-week recess for the Easter and Passover holidays is set to conclude over the weekend, with Members returning to Washington on Monday. NAWG continues to encourage wheat farmers to meet with their Members of Congress over the break to discuss priorities, including the farm bill reauthorization process. Congress is next scheduled to go on recess the week of April 30.

NAWG/IGPA Webinar Reviews Farm Bill Paths, Priorities

NAWG and the Idaho Grain Producers Association held a webinar Monday to review the fiscal and political climates surrounding the 2012 Farm Bill. NAWG Chief Executive Dana Peterson discussed the current situation in Washington as well as NAWG’s farm policy priorities. The webinar was attended by farmers and NAWG members from around the country. NAWG thanks IGPA, the Idaho Wheat Commission and the University of Idaho for their cooperation in putting on the event. An archive of the webinar is available through NAWG’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/wheatworld.

House Ag Committee Field Hearings Continue in Kansas

The House Agriculture Committee will continue its series of farm bill field hearings next week in Dodge City, Kan. The Committee’s most recent hearing was March 30 in Arkansas, where farmers from six states testified on the importance of direct payments to themselves and the economy. After the hearing, Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) voiced his opinion that he “would not say the direct payment is dead, per se, but it’s certainly going to be challenging to keep it in place.” More information and testimony from the field hearings can be found at http://agriculture.house.gov/singlepages.aspx?NewsID=1227&LSBID=1271.

Coalition Urges Reconsideration of Proposed Oceans Regulation

NAWG and 80 other agriculture, natural resource and business groups wrote the head of the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, urging him to cut off funding for an ocean-based regulatory plan that is being developed by the Counsel for Environmental Quality. The policy is based on an executive order and would, in effect, zone portions of the oceans for different purposes. The groups writing this week told Congressional leadership that uncertainty surrounds the proposals and that the “risk of unintended economic and societal consequences remains high.” Agriculture and other groups are concerned that, in addition to the ramifications for work in and near the oceans, such a policy could also lead to regulation of activities along tributaries that lead into the ocean. The full letter is available at http://www.wheatworld.org/wp-content/uploads/enviro-coalition-letter-ocean-policy-20120412.pdf.

As April 17 Approaches, Farm Groups Urge Estate Tax Reform

NAWG joined a coalition writing this week to Members of Congress to urge estate tax relief for farmers. The letter was coordinated by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and is being prepared for delivery ahead of 2012 tax day, which is Monday. The letter will voice support for estate tax repeal legislation pending in both the House and Senate. Ag groups will continue to work on the tax issue into the summer and fall as discussion begins about extending expiring tax cuts.

Department of Labor Receives Thousands of Comments Regarding Child Labor Laws

A spokesperson for the Department of Labor it has received around 10,000 public comments regarding a child labor law proposal that would make it difficult for farmers to hire minors for work, according to the Southeastern Farm Press. The agriculture industry has been critical of this law, saying farmers depend on teaching children to farm at an early age so they can both help with daily chores and be prepared to take over family farms as adults. Critics of the labor proposal also point to a new study published by the USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) showing a downturn in farm accidents without the DOL changes. More from NASS on youth injuries on the farm over time is at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1481.

Text Alerts and Risk Assessment Tool Available on Scab Conditions

As the wheat production season reaches critical stages throughout the country, the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative is again offering two early alert systems for growers in areas at risk for Fusarium head blight, or scab. At http://www.wheatscab.psu.edu/riskTool_2012.html, USWBSI offers a risk assessment tool that allows users to select for an assessment date, time period, region and wheat class, and is supplemented by commentaries from relevant state university plant disease specialists on weather and environmental conditions and the presence of scab or lack thereof. Farmers can also sign up for text or e-mail alerts about scab conditions at http://scabusa.org/fhb_alert.php. These periodic messages are designed to supplement the more in-depth data available online, with frequency and timing of alerts depending upon an area’s level of risk for scab. USWBSI’s primary online home is at http://scabusa.org.

WASDE Shows Lower Ending Stocks, Higher Feed Use

U.S. Wheat Associates reports that the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE), released Tuesday, showed 2011/2012 U.S. wheat ending stocks projected 32 million bushels lower with higher projected feed and residual use. The report projected that exports would be unchanged with a 15 million bushel increase in soft red winter (SRW) offsetting a reduction for hard red winter (HRW), reflecting the increased competiveness of SRW into Europe, Egypt and Mexico. The WASDE showed global wheat supplies lowered slightly and global wheat imports projected 1.6 million tons higher. Global wheat consumption estimates were raised 2.8 million tons on higher expected feed and residual usage. More from U.S. Wheat on the report and on crop conditions will be available in the next edition of Wheat Letter, available online at http://www.uswheat.org/newsEvents/wheatLetter upon publication.

NAWG’s Chief Executive Officer Dana Peterson will review the fiscal and political climates impacting the farm bill reauthorization process as well as NAWG’s farm policy priorities.

The hour-long presentation will also include plenty of time for farmer questions and answers.

To get log-in, go to http://connect.cals.uidaho.edu/wheat. You will need to have Adobe Flash installed on your computer.

There is no phone-in portion of this presentation, just audio from the computer. So turn your speakers up!

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Congress Out for Spring Recess Until April 16

The House of Representatives and the Senate are adjourned until April 16 for a spring recess over the Passover and Easter holidays. NAWG encourages farmers to meet with their Members of Congress over the break to discuss priorities, including the farm bill reauthorization process.

Ryan Budget Passed; Reconciliation Coming For House Agriculture

Before leaving Washington for a spring recess, the House approved on a 228 to 191 vote a budget resolution presented by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). The resolution included significant cuts for agriculture programs, targeting about $30 billion out of farm bill spending. The resolution also included budget reconciliation instructions for six House Committees, including the Agriculture Committee. This obligates them to find mandated cuts – $33.2 billion for the Agriculture Committee – before April 27. Deep cuts outlined in the House budget and the reconciliation requirements are expected to complicate efforts to compromise with Senate appropriators and finalize spending bills before FY2013 begins on Oct. 1.

Senate Ag Could Mark Up Soon After Recess

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) confirmed to agriculture media last week that her panel is planning a mark-up of farm bill legislation soon after the end of recess on April 16. A firm date has not yet been announced.

House Continues Series of Farm Bill Field Hearings

Members of the House Agriculture Committee continue their series of farm bill field hearings, holding the third of four scheduled last week in Arkansas. At the hearings, Members are receiving testimony from farmers about cropping practices and farm policy priorities. Testimony from the hearings is at http://agriculture.house.gov/singlepages.aspx?NewsID=1227&LSBID=1271.

Legislation Introduced to Create Foundation for Food and Ag Research

A new piece of legislation in the Senate would establish a Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), a 501(c)3, non-profit organization meant to foster public-private partnerships within the agricultural research community, including USDA research agencies, academia, private corporations and non-profit organizations. Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) introduced the bill late last week. The Foundation concept builds on existing models for Congressionally-mandated foundations focused on medical research, natural resources and other priorities, and is seen as a way to increase funds going to agriculture research in a time of declining public funding but increasing food needs. NAWG and a number of state wheat associations signed onto a recent letter voicing support for the bill, available at http://roberts.senate.gov/public/_pdf/FFAR%20Support%20Letter%20Final.pdf.

Limagrain Establishes Wheat Quality Lab at Colorado Headquarters

Limagrain Cereal Seeds recently announced it has opened a wheat quality laboratory at its U.S. headquarters in Fort Collins, Colo. Researchers at the lab will test select wheat varieties from across the U.S. for baking characteristics using state-of-the-art equipment including a machine that measures single kernel hardness and a near-infrared reflectance spectroscope. More about the new lab is at http://limagraincerealseeds.com/news-events. More about investments into wheat research by private companies is at http://www.wheatworld.org/research/wheat-research-community/private-investors/.

USW Market Analysis: Spring Came Early, But Crop Looks Good

Spring has sprung early in many parts of the country, prompting wheat to mature faster than usual and some fears of a late freeze that could damage the crop. U.S. Wheat Associates’ Market Analyst Casey Chumrau addressed crop conditions in last week’s edition of USW’s Wheat Letter. Her analysis is available at http://www.uswheat.org/newsEvents/wheatLetter/doc/B160E25A0FCE6631852579D0006BDFDA?OpenDocument.

National Wheat Foundation Board Holds Second Meeting

The new National Wheat Foundation Board of Directors held its second in-person meeting this week in Kansas City, Mo. The Board focused on organizing itself and reviewing the existing state of the organization. The Board reviewed new governance documents for the Foundation, board policies, the Foundation’s budget and ongoing fundraising and programmatic work. The group also established a number of committees and elected officers for the coming year. The new Board members were seated at the 2012 Commodity Classic; more background on the Board and the Foundation is at http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/03/national-wheat-foundation-board-seated-at-commodity-classic/.

NAWG State Executives’ Training Focused on Membership, Crisis Communications

NAWG state executives talked membership and coordinated crisis communications at training held last Saturday. Staff leaders and communicators from 11 NAWG states participated in the day-long session, which aimed to provide them with skills and tools that can be used within their local associations and to help bolster communications across the industry. State executives’ training is held every other year, sponsored by the National Wheat Foundation and Syngenta.

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Wheat Farmers, Researchers, Users Hit the Hill To Talk Research Funding

A group of 35 wheat researchers, farmers, millers and bakers were in Washington Tuesday and Wednesday for the annual wheat industry research fly-in sponsored by NAWG, the National Wheat Improvement Committee, the North American Millers’ Association and the American Bakers Association. The event focused on the importance of maintaining a strong, public research system even in tough budget times. Ag research accounts for just 1.6 percent of all federal research spending, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Even if modest increases proposed in FY2013 by the Obama Administration for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are approved, it’s total allocation will be down 12 percent since FY2010. More on wheat research is at www.wheatworld.org/research.

Congress Passes Short-Term Extension of Surface Transport Law

Congress approved on Thursday a temporary extension of existing surface transportation law, which was set to expire on Saturday. The law in question affects construction projects around the country and authorizes the federal gas tax that pays for them. House Republicans have struggled to get the votes necessary for a long-term reauthorization or even a short-term extension, with the House finally passing a three-month measure by 266 to 158 on Thursday. The Senate passed their version a short time later. House Democrats prefer to consider a Senate-approved version of the bill, which would extend transportation programs for two years at a cost of $109 billion.

Gaede Talks H.R. 872 At CropWorld North America Conference

NAWG Director of Government Affairs for Environmental Policy Mark Gaede participated this week in a panel discussion on regulatory challenges facing the crop protection industry, held as part of the CropWorld 2012 conference in North Carolina. Gaede focused on the need for Congressional clarification of requirements under the Clean Water Act for crop protection product applications. H.R. 872, which was approved by the House but has stalled in the Senate, would achieve this goal; NAWG and other ag groups are pushing for its consideration this year.

Field to Market Coalition Focuses on Publicizing Fieldprint Calculator 2.0

Discussions at Field to Market business meetings held Tuesday and Wednesday in North Carolina focused on planning for the coming year and promotional efforts for the group’s revised and updated Fieldprint Calculator, which was launched in January. The coalition is also undertaking a number of pilot projects with farmers, processors and grain handlers that are expected to provide important data to the value chain. Wheat, corn, soybean and cotton farmers attended this week’s meetings, along with representatives of various agribusiness companies and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NAWG Second Vice President Paul Penner, a farmer from Hillsboro, Kan., represented the Association and wheat growers.

New Questions About Corzine in MF Global Investigation

Investigators are now focusing on if former MF Global CEO Jon Corzine knew a $175 million transfer made in the final days before the company’s bankruptcy was funded with customer money. An e-mail uncovered during the Congressional investigation and reported on in The New York Times is the latest clue in the search for up to $1.6 billon of customer funds that went missing from the company, much of it from farmers and grain handlers. At a House Financial Services subcommittee hearing this week, three executives said they were cooperating with the government’s investigations into the bankruptcy, while a fourth declined to answer questions on the advice of counsel.

On Tuesday, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution introduced by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) opposing bonuses that could be distributed to MF Global executives by the bankruptcy trustee. Meanwhile, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced it would provide penalty relief to farmers who do not have all the tax information they need from the company. More on that announcement is at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=255933,00.html.

Dow Adds Three Wheat Specialists to Washington State Staff

Dow AgroSciences announced last week it is adding two wheat breeders and a wheat field biologist to its cereals breeding station in Pullman, Wash. The company said the Pullman team will focus on the development of germplasm in soft white winter and spring wheat varieties adapted for the Pacific Northwest region. They will also work to support Dow wheat initiatives in North America and Australia. More about private investments in wheat research, which have increased markedly in recent years, is at http://www.wheatworld.org/research/wheat-research-community/private-investors/.

NAWG Finishes Up Meetings Before Spring Fieldwork Begins

NAWG staff and leaders are holding a final round of business meetings before spring fieldwork begins in earnest. This week, NAWG’s Budget Committee met in Washington, just prior to the wheat industry research fly-in. NAWG Board members are meeting in Chicago Thursday and Friday to examine the Association’s strategic plan, followed by training sessions for NAWG state executives, sponsored by Syngenta. Next week, the new Board of Directors for the National Wheat Foundation, which was seated in March, will hold its second meeting.

New Book From Longtime Wheat Friend “Demystifies” Farming

A new book penned by longtime wheat industry friend Maurice Hladik is now available through bookstores and online at Amazon.com. The title, Demystifying Food from Farm to Fork, was published in February. It explains Hladik’s point of view on the realities of farming today, tackling issues including environmental impact, food safety, biotechnology and climate change. Hladik grew up on a farm in western Canada, studied agricultural economics in college and served as Canada’s agricultural attaché in New Zealand and Germany. He served on the NAWG Foundation’s Development Committee while working for cellulosic ethanol company Iogen.

The 35 wheat industry visitors, including a dozen growers and 10 milling and baking representatives, are spreading that message as part of an annual fly-in focusing on wheat research, sponsored by the National Wheat Improvement Committee, a group of wheat scientists and stakeholders, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), the North American Millers’ Association and the American Bakers Association.

Key facts they are sharing with policy makers on Capitol Hill key include:

• Funding for USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will be down 12 percent since the federal government’s 2010 fiscal year, assuming modest increases proposed in the Obama Administration’s FY2013 budget are adopted.
• In FY2011 alone, $180 million was cut and not restored due to the elimination of earmarked spending.
• A few weeks ago, university researchers learned that funding they receive from ARS would be cut by 30 percent to help cover costs associated with carrying out Congress’ instructions to close 12 labs.
• Despite demonstrated return on investment of up to $32 to $1, just 1.6 percent of the $142 billion annual federal investment in research goes to agriculture research, according to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

For wheat industry stakeholders who depend on public funding, this is a disturbing trend. While private companies are investing more money in wheat than ever before, public researchers undertake vital basic science, and more than three-quarters of wheat acres in the United States are planted with varieties produced through the public system. Public programs, particularly those that work in collaboration with land-grant universities, also focus on addressing local or regional problems.

“As a farmer and a seedsman, my message to our leaders in Washington is that a good crop doesn’t start when I put it in the ground, it starts 10 years before, in my state wheat breeder’s labs and fields,” said Bing Von Bergen, a wheat farmer from Moccasin, Mont., and NAWG’s first vice president.

“Funding for wheat research, and all ag research, is an investment in the future of farming and the future of food.”

Fly-in participants are specifically asking Members to support the Obama Administration’s requests for $1.103 billion in funding for ARS and $325 million in funding for USDA’s premier competitive grant programs, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).

As Congress prepares to finalize a 2012 Farm Bill, fly-in participants are also asking Members to ensure reauthorization of the AFRI grant program and the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI), a collaboration of public, private and federal researchers fighting the disease Fusarium head blight, or scab.

“We’ve come to Washington, D.C., many times over the years, but this visit is particularly urgent,” said Dr. Brett Carver, a wheat breeder at Oklahoma State University and NWIC chair.

“Research is a long-term process that needs long-term funding. We are seeing increased investments from private companies and farmers themselves, but federal agencies still play an irreplaceable role in ensuring we can develop the best possible varieties for farmers.”

Much more about wheat research needs and the wheat research community is at www.wheatworld.org/research.

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Contact: Melissa George Kessler, NAWG, mkessler (at) wheatworld.org

Hurst spoke at a hearing in Washington examining a complaint by the Western Coal Traffic League, which is a captive shipper like many agricultural producers, related to BNSF rates after it was sold in 2010.

Representatives of the League argued that unlike past mergers or acquisitions, shippers did not achieve a benefit from the BNSF sale and should not bear additional costs. BNSF’s representatives argued the company should be allowed to capitalize the acquisition premium of $8.1 billion.

Hurst, who spoke on behalf of NAWG, representatives from the Alliance for Rail Competition (ARC) and the Consumers United for Rail Equity (CURE), and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) spoke in favor of the League’s position.

While the case itself could increase rail rates between 5 and 10 percent, the main concern brought before the Board was the precedent of allowing an outside, wealthy investor to buy a railroad at an inflated price and then pass that inflated cost on to captive shippers.

“I worry about how this case will affect the future capital investments in other railroads by future wealthy investors,” Hurst told STB members.

“If the BNSF’s new owners can buy railroads at higher than market prices, and subsequently pass off the additional cost to their captive shippers in the form of higher rail rates, similar acquisitions of other railroads will be encouraged, and captive shippers nationwide will be harmed.”

As the only farmer testifying at the hearing, Hurst spoke about his operation and emphasized the importance of healthy railroads to a robust agricultural economy.

“For most of us, farming is not just a career, it’s a legacy, and a trust. We take a long-term view of life,” he said. “For many wheat producers, rail is the only realistic option. Because of consolidation in previous decades, most of us are served by one major railroad. We need them.”

NAWG works with a variety of stakeholders to increase rail competition and, where that is impossible, decrease captive rail rates for wheat producers. In addition to working with Members of Congress, ARC and CURE, NAWG also works directly with a number of railroads, including BNSF and Union Pacific.

More about NAWG’s rail work is at www.wheatworld.org/transportation.

The FY2013 proposal from House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) is similar to his proposal last year and the Obama Administration FY2013 proposal, which would cut $32 billion from farm safety net programs.

Still, as Congressional agriculture leaders struggle to find a path for a 2012 Farm Bill in a very tight budget environment – and an election year – the Ryan budget outline was criticized almost immediately in both chambers.

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) said the budget proposal “all but guarantees there will be no farm bill this year,” while Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) called it “irresponsible” and said it “does nothing to strengthen production agriculture.”

Referencing the $23 billion cut proposal put forth by agriculture leaders in both chambers during last year’s super committee process, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Ryan’s counterpart and a long-time agriculture advocate, said, “We had an agreement on what the savings would be out of agriculture and then Congressman Ryan comes along and throws that agreement out the window.”

As the top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, Chairman Frank Lucas’ (R-Okla.) reaction was the most muted.

“I would caution people about reading too much into the numbers or policy proposals in either the President’s budget or the Ryan budget,” he said in a statement. “They are only suggestions. During our process, both policy and deficit reduction targets will be developed in conjunction with Ranking Member Peterson and Members of the Committee as we write a fiscally responsible Farm Bill that ensures Americans continue to have a safe, affordable and stable food supply.”

The Budget Committee approved Ryan’s overall proposals Wednesday by a 19 to 18 vote on party lines. It is expected to be taken up and approved by the full House next week without Democratic support, after which committees, including the Agriculture Committee, will begin considering how to make suggested cuts. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has previously stated his chamber will not be taking up a budget resolution.

The House Republican proposal is in full at http://budget.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Pathtoprosperity2013.pdf.

The letter was issued in response to two recent reports calling for the creation of what one called a “barrier-free transatlantic market,” achieved piece-meal, with easier negotiations moving forward more quickly than issues that might create conflict.

The agriculture groups decried this approach and pushed back on the thinly-veiled reference to agriculture as one of the “difficult issues that [has] proven intractable in the past.”

The groups said such an approach would nearly guarantee negotiation would speed up for issues on which there is more apparent agreement while other portions of the talks would languish, leaving some trade barriers unresolved in perpetuity.

The U.S. agriculture community has supported the negotiation of a transatlantic deal that would reduce the EU’s myriad restrictions on U.S. products, many due to sanitary and phytosanitary barriers, and encourage the EU to accept science-based risk assessments.

A U.S.-EU deal could also set a precedent for an even larger trade deal, either by creating a framework that could expand to include additional countries or by setting a template for future, worldwide negotiations.

“This plan is bold only on paper,” they wrote. “In fact, its basic premise is that it is better to do whatever we can as soon as we can rather than the most that we can.”

The groups writing this week also asserted that agriculture is not an intractable negotiating area, noting successes in the World Trade Organization’s Uruguay Round and agriculture negotiating challenges in the Doha Round that did not center on the U.S. and EU.

The full letter is available online at www.wheatworld.org/trade.

The fiscal year 2012 federal budget, finalized by Congress in November, mandated that ARS close 12 labs, including nine research locations and three units within a larger research station. A similar proposal had been made by the Obama Administration in its FY2012 budget.

Shutting facilities down and moving the 300 or so affected employees, however, comes with a cost – about $40 million, university researchers learned this week as they were informed their own budgets would be cut to make up the difference.

ARS is cutting $21.6 million from extramural programs through an across-the-board, 30 percent reduction to all cooperative agreements with universities and initiatives, based on their FY2011 funding levels.

Flagship wheat research projects affected by these cuts include the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI), a landmark public-private-federal cooperative agreement, which will face a reduction of $1.4 million from a total budget of around $5 million.

Additional cuts will be made to university projects funded through the USDA Wheat Rust Initiative, which conducts research on leaf, stripe and stem rust, including Ug99.

“Our commitment to the mission of the Scab Initiative is not diminished in the slightest,” said Dave Van Sanford, USWBSI co-chair and wheat breeder at the University of Kentucky.

“Nevertheless, a 30 percent budget reduction means that fewer breeding lines will be screened, fewer plots sprayed, and fewer gene constructs evaluated. We look forward to a return to full funding in FY13 so that our efforts to minimize the impact of head scab on the wheat industry can continue at full throttle.”

To facilitate the closure expenses, across-the-board cuts have also been made to internal ARS programs, and the agency is continuing a hiring freeze that was already in place.

Funding for universities through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and its grant program, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), won’t be affected.

NAWG continues to make the case for additional federal government funding for agricultural research efforts, which is far outpaced by federal funding for research in health and other areas.

More than three-quarters of the 50 million acres of wheat grown in the U.S. is planted with varieties developed with public research, which makes federal programs extremely important to wheat farmers, even as private dollars going to wheat research dramatically increase and state grower associations seek to increase their farmers’ direct investments.

Analysis of the return on investment from public agricultural research and extension shows each dollar spent returns about $32 to society.

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Testifying before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee on safety net programs, Younggren told Senators wheat farmers would be in the fields to plant winter wheat as early as August and needed the certainty of a long-term bill to finalize their risk management plans for the coming year.

A wheat, sugar beet and soybean farmer from far northern Minnesota, Younggren spoke in depth about his family’s farm operation and his experiences with crop insurance and farm programs, which are illustrative of NAWG’s policy priorities.

Younggren told Senators that NAWG strongly opposes any reductions to the baseline available for the federal crop insurance program, which is the core of the farm safety net for many crop producers.

“We are prone to frequent flooding in the spring and occasionally in the summer, as well as heavy, yield-robbing rains. Our humid summers are conducive to disease and fungus growth,” he said.

“My family farm operation has benefited enormously from the evolution of crop insurance in recent decades, showing how important this tool has become.”

While crop insurance is NAWG’s top policy priority for the new farm bill, Younggren told Senators that it alone is not a complete safety net.

Because different production areas of the country rely on different farm programs in times of need, NAWG supports multiple safety-net programs, including a disaster program in Title I.

Younggren called on Members of Congress to:

• outline programs that are understandable and built on the lessons farmers have learned from existing crop insurance revenue products;
• create programs that are defensible to our nation’s taxpayers and friendly to our trading partners;
• offer a revenue-based farm program modeled on those in the 2008 Farm Bill, with coverage by commodity calculated with on-farm triggers and planted acres;
• ensure changes to existing programs or newly-created programs maintain producers’ planting flexibility and the market’s influence in planting decisions; and
• ensure spending within Title I, including funding for direct payments, remains part of Title I.

Younggren’s written testimony is available in full at www.wheatworld.org/farmbill.

The fiscal year 2012 federal budget, finalized by Congress in November, mandated that ARS close 12 labs, including nine research locations and three units within a larger research station. A similar proposal had been made by the Obama Administration in its FY2012 budget.

Shutting facilities down and moving the 300 or so affected employees, however, comes with a cost – about $40 million, university researchers learned this week as they were informed their own budgets would be cut to make up the difference.

ARS is cutting $21.6 million from extramural programs through an across-the-board, 30 percent reduction to all cooperative agreements with universities and initiatives, based on their FY2011 funding levels.

Flagship wheat research projects affected by these cuts include the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI), a landmark public-private-federal cooperative agreement, which will face a reduction of $1.4 million from a total budget of around $5 million.

Additional cuts will be made to university projects funded through the USDA Wheat Rust Initiative, which conducts research on leaf, stripe and stem rust, including Ug99.

“Our commitment to the mission of the Scab Initiative is not diminished in the slightest,” said Dave Van Sanford, USWBSI co-chair and wheat breeder at the University of Kentucky.

“Nevertheless, a 30 percent budget reduction means that fewer breeding lines will be screened, fewer plots sprayed, and fewer gene constructs evaluated. We look forward to a return to full funding in FY13 so that our efforts to minimize the impact of head scab on the wheat industry can continue at full throttle.”

To facilitate the closure expenses, across-the-board cuts have also been made to internal ARS programs, and the agency is continuing a hiring freeze that was already in place.

Funding for universities through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and its grant program, the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), won’t be affected.

NAWG continues to make the case for additional federal government funding for agricultural research efforts, which is far outpaced by federal funding for research in health and other areas.

More than three-quarters of the 50 million acres of wheat grown in the U.S. is planted with varieties developed with public research, which makes federal programs extremely important to wheat farmers, even as private dollars going to wheat research dramatically increase and state grower associations seek to increase their farmers’ direct investments.

Analysis of the return on investment from public agricultural research and extension shows each dollar spent returns about $32 to society.

More about ag research and the wheat industry’s research priorities is at www.wheatworld.org/research.

That’s the question organizers of this year’s Bake and Take Month are asking wheat lovers and foodies who may be over due for some time in the kitchen baking fresh bread, muffins, cookies or pies.

The purpose of Bake and Take Month is to encourage participants to bake a wheat product and take it to a neighbor, friend or relative, says Cindy Falk, nutrition educator of Kansas Wheat and coordinator of Bake and Take Month.

Falk said Bake and Take Day began in 1970 as a community service project of the Sumner County Kansas Wheathearts, which was then an auxiliary organization of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Wheatheart participants set out to share baked goods with family members, friends, neighbors and those in need, generating goodwill in the community. The idea of a community member sharing a favorite recipe with someone special became so successful that the Kansas Wheathearts created a national Bake and Take Day celebration in 1973.

Even though the Kansas Wheathearts disbanded in 2001, the tradition continues to be supported by Kansas Wheat and grower associations across the United States. For instance, 4,000 Bake and Take recipes have been distributed to 4-H clubs, church groups, school groups and individuals in North Dakota alone.

The highlight of Bake and Take Month, Bake and Take Day, is traditionally the fourth Saturday of March, which is March 24 this year.

This year’s Bake and Take recipes are for cheese sticks and 100 percent whole wheat sugar cookies. Both recipes are available at http://www.ndwheat.com/consumers/default.asp?ID=410.

Additional recipes are available from the following wheat groups:

• the Wheat Foods Council, http://www.wheatfoods.org/recipes.
• Kansas Wheat, http://kansaswheat.org/recipes.php.
• the North Dakota Wheat Commission, http://www.ndwheat.com/consumers/.
• the South Dakota Wheat Commission, http://www.sdwheat2.org/html/recipe.cfm.
• the Idaho Wheat Commission, http://www.idahowheat.org/info/recipes.asp.
• the Home Baking Association, www.homebaking.org.

Participants who share their stories of the Bake and Take experience with the Kansas Wheat Commission by April 16 will be entered into a random drawing for a gift basket or a cookbook.

More about the contest is at http://www.kswheat.com/consumerspageid298_BakeandTakeMonth.shtml.

Testifying before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee on safety net programs, Younggren told Senators wheat farmers would be in the fields to plant winter wheat as early as August and needed the certainty of a long-term bill to finalize their risk management plans for the coming year.

A wheat, sugar beet and soybean farmer from far northern Minnesota, Younggren spoke in depth about his family’s farm operation and his experiences with crop insurance and farm programs, which are illustrative of NAWG’s policy priorities.

Younggren told Senators that NAWG strongly opposes any reductions to the baseline available for the federal crop insurance program, which is the core of the farm safety net for many crop producers.

“We are prone to frequent flooding in the spring and occasionally in the summer, as well as heavy, yield-robbing rains. Our humid summers are conducive to disease and fungus growth,” he said. “My family farm operation has benefited enormously from the evolution of crop insurance in recent decades, showing how important this tool has become.”

While crop insurance is NAWG’s top policy priority for the new farm bill, Younggren told Senators that it alone is not a complete safety net.

Because different production areas of the country rely on different farm programs in times of need, NAWG supports multiple safety-net programs, including a disaster program in Title I.

Younggren called on Members of Congress to:

• outline programs that are understandable and built on the lessons farmers have learned from existing crop insurance revenue products;
• create programs that are defensible to our nation’s taxpayers and friendly to our trading partners;
• offer a revenue-based farm program modeled on those in the 2008 Farm Bill, with coverage by commodity calculated with on-farm triggers and planted acres;
• ensure changes to existing programs or newly-created programs maintain producers’ planting flexibility and the market’s influence in planting decisions; and
• ensure spending within Title I, including funding for direct payments, remains part of Title I.

Younggren’s written testimony is available in full at www.wheatworld.org/farmbill.

###

Contact: Melissa George Kessler, NAWG, mkessler (at) wheatworld.org, 202-386-2585

“While that tariff has not been a huge impediment, removing it will help U.S. producers compete with other wheat exporters and help Korean flour millers spend less to buy our wheat,” said Randy Suess, a wheat farmer from Colfax, Wash., and chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW).

South Korea is consistently a top ten market for U.S. wheat and imported more than 1.6 million tons of U.S. wheat valued at approximately $468 million in marketing year 2010/11.

“Our industry is uniquely trade-dependent, with about half of our production moving to overseas markets each year,” said Erik Younggren, a wheat farmer from Hallock, Minn., and president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).

“Hopefully, the results from the U.S.-Korea FTA will encourage implementation of bilateral agreements with Colombia and Panama that were ratified last year.”

U.S. wheat producers look forward to implementation of the FTAs with Colombia and Panama as soon as possible so that customers there may also benefit from zero tariffs.

The United States is the world’s largest wheat exporter, offering customers around the globe a reliable, high-quality supply of all six wheat classes.

In the 2010/2011 marketing year, ended May 31, 2011, the U.S. exported nearly 1.3 billion bushels of wheat valued at $10.3 billion, supporting thousands of jobs and economic benefits across the country.

###

Contact:  Melissa George Kessler, NAWG, mkessler (at) wheatworld.org, 202-386-2585

The bill, H.R. 4153 or the Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization and Improvement Act, is very similar to a bill the Members introduced in the last session of Congress, which achieved passage by the House Agriculture Committee.

The legislation would set up a number of mechanisms NAWG and other farmer groups believe would allow the Chesapeake Bay region to maintain a robust farm economy while working to achieve water quality goals.

The bill would establish an interstate nitrogen and phosphorous credit trading system for the Chesapeake Bay and a grant program for states working to adhere to total maximum daily load (TMDL) requirements. It would also seek to set up a nutrient management plan that considers load allocations on a monthly, seasonal or annual basis, versus on a daily basis.

To help achieve water quality goals, the proposal would provide for conservation technical assistance from USDA. The measure would also establish a “safe harbor” provision for farmers who undertake program efforts in good faith.

Rather than vesting oversight of Bay improvement efforts solely to federal regulators, the proposal would set up an independent advisory committee to review past Chesapeake Bay initiatives and progress toward water-quality goals.

The bill is, in part, a response to proposals to establish mandatory TMDLs in the Bay region and, eventually, throughout the United States.

It is also an effort to help bolster the significant efforts farmers in the Bay region are already undertaking to improve water quality, many with the assistance of USDA conservation programs.

More about the legislation is available at www.wheatworld.org/environmentalregulation.

Agricultural Counselor to Administrator Lisa Jackson Larry Elworth spoke and answered questions at the session held Friday afternoon, after which he talked with members of the audience and media.

Elworth reviewed his comments with NAWG for an audio interview posted online at http://www.wheatworld.org/wp-content/uploads/audio-elworth-q-and-a-classic-20120307.mp3.

The learning center session brought Elworth to Classic for the second year in a row, reprising his popular talk at the 2011 Classic.

In his prepared remarks, Elworth spoke about hot environmental topics including pesticide permitting and oil spill rules that are proving confounding to many in agriculture.

Later, he answered questions from attendees concerned about water regulations, dust regulations and getting information about what farmers must do to be in compliance with EPA rules.

In his talk and in the audio interview available from NAWG, Elworth emphasized the importance of communication between the agriculture community and EPA offices in Washington and around the country.

He noted that many environmental laws now being used to regulate agricultural operations were not written with agriculture in mind, and said one “could argue” that complicates the job.

However, Elworth said he believes there are solutions to regulatory challenges and encouraged farmers to let EPA know what problems they are facing.

For more, listen to the audio interview with Elworth at http://www.wheatworld.org/audio or visit EPA’s website page focused on agriculture at http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/.

The election of a new Foundation Board is the result of a year-and-a-half-long process to enhance the 35-year-old organization’s ability to facilitate collaborations across the wheat chain.

The process began with a strategic planning retreat held in September 2010, at which farmer leaders from the NAWGF and the National Association of Wheat Growers’ (NAWG’s) state associations set a new vision and mission for the organization. Based on that direction, grower-leaders undertook an extensive process of examining the Foundation’s governance structure, programming goals and management of its key asset, the Wheat Growers Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

At its fall 2011 meeting, the NAWGF voted to amend the Foundation’s articles of incorporation, modifying the organization to make NAWG its sole member.

The amended articles called for the Foundation to begin doing business as the National Wheat Foundation, which wheat leaders believe will be more inclusive of all aspects of the wheat industry, from researchers to bakers.

The articles amendment also reduced the size of the Foundation’s board from 21 to nine members.

New Board members nominated by the NAWG Nominating Committee and approved by the NAWG Board at Commodity Classic include:

• Joe Anderson, diversified farmer from near Potlatch, Idaho, and member, Idaho Wheat Commission;
• Steve Joehl, director of industry affairs for wheat and soybean quality traits, Monsanto Company;
• Phil McLain, Mclain Farms, Statesville, N.C., and past NAWG president;
• Jimmie Musick, owner/operator Musick Farms;
• Michael H. Pate, vice president-research and development, Bay State Milling Company;
• Allen Scarborough, Ph.D., manager, stakeholder relations, Bayer CropScience;
• Dusty Tallman, owner/operator of Tallman Farms of Brandon, Colo., and past NAWG president;
• John C. Thaemert, owner/operator, J.T. Farms, vice president and trust officer at Citizens State Bank & Trust Co., Ellsworth, Kan., and past NAWG president; and
• Hayden Wands, vice president of commodities and ingredients, Bimbo Bakeries USA.

Shortly after their installation, the new Board elected temporary officers, including Musick as chairman, Tallman as vice chairman and Joehl as secretary-treasurer.

“The new National Wheat Foundation will represent the wheat industry’s need to identify and seek resourcing for wheat improvement across the supply chain of production, milling and food manufacturing,” Musick said.

“This restructuring allows the National Wheat Foundation to enhance its identity and begin increasing its influence in the wheat industry.”

“A new Foundation structure that is inclusive of all aspects of the wheat chain is the culmination of NAWG’s grower-leaders having long recognized the need for the wheat industry to increase its impact. The National Wheat Foundation is the tool to do just that,” said Erik Younggren, NAWG president.

“We know wheat has lacked capacity to attract partnerships for wheat research and education, and we firmly believe the changes being made today to the Foundation will enhance our work in those areas, from farm to fork.”

The Foundation plans to continue existing programs, which are managed by the NAWG staff, including three annual leadership training programs; facilitation of wheat industry work on biotechnology solutions and education; and participation with educational coalitions.

In January, the NAWGF Board voted to move forward with plans to renovate the Foundation’s primary asset, the Wheat Growers Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. That project and associated fundraising efforts will now be directed by the newly-elected Board.

NAWG members established the NAWG Foundation in 1977 to undertake charitable, scientific and educational work for the industry. Today, guided by values of grower-centeredness, integrity, honesty and trustworthiness, the National Wheat Foundation’s mission is to purposefully advance the wheat industry through strategic research, education and outreach collaborations.

The new record represents a whopping 25 percent increase over the previous one, set last year in Tampa, Fla. Similar to past years, more than half of total attendees were members of farm families, including producers, spouses and children.

Commodity Classic is also the site of NAWG’s annual meeting, where NAWG policy committees meet for the final time before the busy planting and harvesting season begins.

Some highlights from this year’s Classic for wheat attendees included:

A rousing speech at the Classic general session from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who discussed the importance of an adequate crop insurance program and creating a greater understanding in government of the real world impact of regulations to farming operations. To resounding applause, Vilsack also called for reauthorization of the farm bill this year.

An illuminating presentation from Environmental Protection Agency agriculture counselor Larry Elworth at a learning center session sponsored by the NAWG Foundation. For more on that, see related story in this issue or visit http://www.wheatworld.org/audio.

The establishment of the Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarship, a partnership between the NAWG Foundation and BASF to honor longtime wheat friend and BASF employee Jerry Minore, who passed away in February. The scholarship will be available to family of NAWG members; more details will be available in late spring from the Foundation.

A Wheat Industry Booth in the Classic trade show that challenged visitors to guess which of the six classes of wheat was which or to answer educational trivia questions about wheat. The booth was sponsored by NAWG, U.S. Wheat Associates and the Wheat Foods Council.

Election of Minnesota farmer Erik Younggren as the next NAWG president. The NAWG Board of Directors also elected and installed Bing Von Bergen as first vice president; Paul Penner as second vice president; Brett Blankenship as secretary-treasurer; and Wayne Hurst as immediate past president. For more, see http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/03/younggren-elected-nawg-president/.

Election of a new Board of Directors for the NAWG Foundation, which will begin doing business as the National Wheat Foundation, effective immediately.

A full slate of NAWG’s policy committee meetings covering domestic and trade policy, environmental issues and research priorities. NAWG’s policy committees review the bulk of existing resolutions at the annual meeting, resulting in a large quantity being renewed or allowed to expire. New resolutions approved by NAWG policy committees and the NAWG Board of Directors at Classic include:

• NAWG supports the current crop insurance programs and delivery system. NAWG encourages the private sector to work with FSA on reporting acreage and losses.
• NAWG opposes linking conservation compliance to crop insurance program participation.
• NAWG urges the U.S. Trade Representative and Foreign Ag Service to pursue aggressive enforcement of existing trade agreements.
• NAWG seeks enforcement of legislation for segregated commodity traded funds to be protected and remain segregated.
• NAWG supports the Regulations from Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. This support is contingent on the term “regulation” referring only to involuntary mandates and not to any contractual agreements that an individual farmer chooses to enter into.
• NAWG supports that CRP land is under the same regulations as cropland for the purposes of water management.
• NAWG supports the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the development of E-15.

A full, updated resolutions document is available online at http://www.wheatworld.org/wp-content/uploads/about-resolutions-after-classic-2012.pdf.

News, audio and photos from Commodity Classic’s wheat activities are available at NAWG’s Classic news hub, http://www.wheatworld.org/2012classic/.

Younggren farms near Hallock in northwestern Minnesota, where he produces wheat, sugar beets and soybeans in partnership with two cousins.

Prior to becoming a NAWG officer in 2009, Younggren represented the Minnesota Association Wheat Growers on the national association’s board, serving as a member of NAWG’s domestic and trade policy, operations and budget committees. He has also participated in special committees examining crop insurance policy and an upcoming renovation of the Wheat Growers Building, which is owned by the NAWG Foundation.

A fourth-generation farmer, Younggren has involved himself in leadership positions in his local community. Fifteen years ago, he started a business that pioneered broadband Internet service in rural areas. He has also served as a member of his church’s Board of Deacons; on the board of his county economic development committee; and in his local curling club, supporting the popular Northern sport.

Younggren is an alumnus of the wheat industry’s training programs, the Wheat Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (WILOT), the Wheat Organization Leaders of the Future (WOLF) program and the Syngenta Leadership at Its Best program. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in economics from Minnesota State University at Moorhead.

He and his wife, Angela, who runs pet grooming and kennel businesses, have a young daughter.

“Serving the nation’s wheat growers is an honor and a privilege,” Younggren said. “I know we are going to hit the ground running this year, and I look forward to the challenge. Active participation on the national level is more important now than ever before.”

Other members of NAWG’s officer corps elected Saturday include:

• Bing Von Bergen, Moccasin, Mont., first vice president;
• Paul Penner, Hillsboro, Kan., second vice president;
• Brett Blankenship, Washtucna, Wash., secretary-treasurer; and
• Wayne Hurst, Burley, Idaho, immediate past president.

NAWG’s officers typically commit to serve for five years when they are selected for the role of secretary-treasurer, though they must be reviewed and nominated by the NAWG Nominating Committee and approved by the NAWG Board of Directors before each year of service.

More information about all of the new officers is available at http://www.wheatworld.org/about-us/contact-us/.

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From Commodity Classic (Nashville, Tenn.) – Can you tell which wheat is which?

That’s the challenge for visitors to the Wheat Industry Booth at the 2012 Commodity Classic, sponsored by the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the Wheat Foods Council (WFC).

Those who stop by the booth at the front of the show will have a chance to enter one of two raffles by taking their best shot at identifying which jar of kernels matches with which wheat class.

Wheat class is generally defined by the hardness and color of the wheat kernel produced as well as the time of year it is planted.

• Hard red winter, often known as bread wheat, is planted in the fall and harvested in the spring.
• Hard red spring, which is used to make “designer” wheat foods like rolls, croissants and bagels, is planted in the spring and harvested in the fall.
• Soft red winter produces a softer wheat, used to make cookies, crackers and pastries.
• Soft white is a white wheat for cakes, pastries and Asian-style noodles.
• Hard white, the newest class of U.S. wheat, is used for whole wheat products including pan breads and flat breads.
• Durum, the hardest of all wheats, is a rich amber color and used for pasta.

Kernels of the six classes are notoriously hard to differentiate, even for many farmers. The trade show game is made harder because contestants must make their guesses by sight alone, with no opportunity to touch or chew the kernels to determine how hard or soft they are.

“We thought this would be a fun way to help educate trade show goers about the diversity of wheat while raising their competitive spirits,” said Melissa George Kessler, NAWG’s director of communications. “We are excited to be here at Classic again, educating attendees about the unique value of wheat to our nation’s economy and food supply.”

“Many, if not most, farmers attending Classic grow some wheat, even if the crop isn’t on the majority of their acres,” said Wayne Hurst, NAWG president and a wheat farmer from Burley, Idaho. “We are excited to tell them about the possibilities available to those who grow and market wheat.”

In addition to the “guess the classes” game, visitors to the wheat booth can enter a separate raffle by rolling one of a pair of supersized dice and correctly answering a wheat-related trivia question.

The 2012 Commodity Classic booth is also hosting three media availabilities – with wheat leaders from NAWG and USW, on wheat research and biotechnology, and on the work of the Field to Market coalition.

Follow the action at the 2012 Classic in real time by following @wheatworld and @uswheatassoc on Twitter.

More about wheat activities at the 2012 Classic is at http://www.wheatworld.org/2012classic/.

More about the six classes is available in this downloadable primer.

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• National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer, a corn grower from Auburn, Ill.;
• National Association of Wheat Growers President Wayne Hurst, a wheat producer from Burley, Idaho;
• American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman, soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb.; and
• National Sorghum Producers Chairman Terry Swanson, a sorghum grower from Walsh, Colo.

“Commodity Classic provides our organizations an opportunity to come together to discuss important policy issues facing our industry. As Congress continues work on the next farm bill, our organizations agree that an affordable crop insurance program is our No. 1 priority. We also stand ready to work with House and Senate Ag Committee leaders to create farm programs that provide risk-management tools to growers when they are facing a loss beyond their control.

“We urge Congress to pass a new farm bill this year to provide the level of certainty in America that a short-term extension cannot.The nation is currently facing record high federal deficits and this requires difficult decisions. We stand ready to do our part to develop more efficient farm policy that will be responsive to taxpayers and effective in helping farms remain viable and productive.

“Our organizations represent more than 70 percent of all crop acres in the United States. Agriculture is a bright spot in our nation’s economy, sustainably meeting the expanding demands to provide food, feed, fuel and fiber to the world. We are pleased to see the Senate and House Agriculture Committees have produced such an aggressive schedule and we thank them for their efforts.”

# # #

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2012 Commodity Classic In Full Swing

The 2012 Commodity Classic is in full swing in Nashville, Tenn. NAWG’s farm and trade, environmental and research policy committees met Wednesday. The Wheat Industry Booth in the Classic trade show opened Thursday. Classic’s general session is scheduled for Friday, as well as an educational session with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agriculture counselor Larry Elworth, sponsored by the NAWG Foundation. NAWG’s Board of Directors and the NAWG Foundation’s Board of Directors are scheduled to meet Saturday. For details, visit http://www.wheatworld.org/2012classic/.

Congressional Farm Bill Timeline Speeds Up

The effort to reauthorize the 2008 Farm Bill before it expires on Sept. 30 kicked into high gear this week, with the Senate Agriculture Committee moving up two previously-scheduled farm bill hearings, and the House Agriculture Committee announcing it will start a series of four field hearings next week. Senate Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) announced early in the week that scheduled hearings on nutrition and farm policy issues will be moved up, to March 7 and March 14, respectively. House Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) announced Thursday that field hearings will be held in New York, Illinois, Arkansas and Kansas. More on the House schedule is at http://agriculture.house.gov/.

Wheat Farmers Testify on Conservation Programs

Two farmers with ties to the wheat industry testified Tuesday at a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on conservation issues. Dean Stoskopf, a farmer near Hoisington, Kan., asked Members to keep conservation programs simple and local. He also spoke about the importance of emergency haying and grazing in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), as well as the benefits of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Carl Mattson, who farms near Chester, Mont., spoke about his and other local farmers’ experiences with the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). More on the hearing is at http://www.ag.senate.gov/hearings/strengthening-conservation-through-the-2012-farm-bill.

Surface Transportation Bill Still Delayed

The House version of pending surface transportation legislation hit another snag this week as Republican caucus members continue to balk at their leadership’s plans for the measure. Floor consideration has been pushed back for a two-year extension of surface transportation law, which largely funds highway construction but also touches many other aspects of U.S. transportation infrastructure. Senators continue to debate their version of the bill, S. 1813. Reauthorization of the law has been delayed since 2009 for political and budgetary reasons.

Kirk Calls for TPA at Ways and Means Hearing on Trade Agenda

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk told Members of the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday that the Obama Administration needs a renewal of trade promotion authority (TPA) to complete the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks. TPA, which expired in 2007, gives the Administration the authority to negotiate trade agreements and submit them to Congress for up-or-down votes. Kirk said the Obama Administration aims to get the TPP negotiations finished this year. For more from the hearing at which Kirk testified, visit http://waysandmeans.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=281489.

House Ag Focuses on CFTC Work on MF Global, Dodd-Frank

The House Agriculture Committee met Wednesday to hear from Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Gary Gensler about his agency’s 2012 agenda. Members focused on the ongoing investigation into MF Global’s bankruptcy and resultant customer losses. They also asked about the Dodd-Frank rule making process, which continues to create significant uncertainty for some in farm country. More from the hearing is online at http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/hearingDetails.aspx?NewsID=1533.

Senate Ag Leaders Ask for Guidance on MF Global Tax Problems

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) have asked the Internal Revenue Service to provide guidance for former MF Global customers who may need to file their taxes with incomplete information. MF Global filed for bankruptcy on Oct. 31, 2011, with upwards of $1 billion in customer money unaccounted for. Stabenow and Roberts asked for consideration specifically of farmers and ranchers with money in limbo, many of whom will soon start spring fieldwork. The full letter text is accessible at http://www.ag.senate.gov/newsroom/majority-news.

DuPont and Australian Research Org Announce New Wheat Collaboration

DuPont and the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) announced this week that they have expanded an existing research collaboration on wheat and other crops. The organizations said they will focus on molecular markers, discovery research for agronomic traits and hybrid seed production in wheat. The research will work toward traits to address drought tolerance and nitrogen-use efficiency. More about the partnership is at http://www.pioneer.com/home/site/about/news-media.

BASF, NAWG Foundation Establish Scholarship to Honor Jerry Minore

The NAWG Foundation and BASF announced Wednesday they will establish a scholarship fund to honor longtime wheat industry friend and BASF employee Jerry Minore. Minore was a liaison to the wheat industry, including NAWG and the Foundation, and an advocate for wheat growers. He passed away unexpectedly in February. BASF will fund a Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarship of up to $5,000 per year for the next three years. Application information will be available later in the year from the Foundation. More about the scholarship is at http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/02/basf-nawg-foundation-establish-minore-scholarship/.

As a BASF Senior Market Manager, Minore was a liaison to the wheat industry, including NAWG and the Foundation, and an advocate for wheat growers. He passed away unexpectedly in February.

To honor his advocacy for the wheat industry, BASF has partnered with NAWG to fund a Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarship of up to $5,000 per year for the next three years. The Foundation will administer the scholarship program to benefit students with connections to the wheat industry who are planning careers in agriculture.

Applications for the Jerry Minore Memorial Scholarship will be accepted through the end of 2012, with the first recipients announced at the 2013 Commodity Classic. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be pursing an agriculture-related degree at an accredited university or college, and they or a relative must be a NAWG member.

BASF will also sponsor winners’ participation at the 2013 Commodity Classic to provide out-of-the-classroom ag education, as well as an opportunity to network with industry leaders.

“We are honored by the opportunity to partner with BASF on the Minore Scholarship,” said NAWG Foundation Executive Director Dana Peterson. “Jerry’s insight into the industry and sense of humor will be greatly missed, but we know he would be pleased that a scholarship in his name will help future agriculture students complete their educations.”

“Our friend and colleague Jerry Minore was passionate about the future of agriculture and the sustainability of the wheat industry,” said Paul Rea, Vice President, U.S. Crop Protection, BASF. “BASF echoes these commitments to the industry and we know Jerry would be honored to support the bright students who will lead the industry into the future.”

More information about applying for the Minore Scholarship will be available in late spring from the NAWG Foundation.

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Contacts:

NAWG Foundation, Melissa George Kessler, (202) 386-2585

BASF, Pat Morrow, (919) 547-2631

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About the BASF Crop Protection division 

With sales of €4.0 billion in 2010, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/basfagro

BASF – The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $19.9 billion in 2011. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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From Commodity Classic (Nashville, Tenn.) - Wheat growers from around the country are boarding planes and hitting the road for Nashville, Tenn.

That’s the site of the 17th annual Commodity Classic, which begins officially on Thursday at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

Grower-leaders from the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) will begin business meetings held in conjunction with the larger convention on Wednesday.

NAWG’s policy committees and NAWG’s Board of Directors will meet in Nashville, as well as the leadership of the NAWG Foundation, which is scheduled to seat a new board as part of its ongoing revisioning process.

Wheat farmers will also join the more than 5,000 registered attendees for this year’s important educational sessions, including a Friday afternoon session with Larry Elworth of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sponsored by the NAWG Foundation.

Other happenings will include social events, a general session headlined by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and the Classic trade show, which will feature a Wheat Industry Booth sponsored by NAWG, U.S. Wheat Associates and the Wheat Foods Council.

“We are excited to be heading to Nashville to meet again with our corn, soybean and sorghum friends,” said NAWG Chief Executive Officer Dana Peterson.

“So many issues our organization is facing today – from farm policy to communicating about the importance of a robust farm economy – are part of the Commodity Classic. We are looking forward to a successful event.”

The 2012 Classic will be NAWG’s sixth annual meeting with the convention.

Much more about wheat meetings and events in Nashville is available at http://www.wheatworld.org/2012classic/.

Growers and others can also follow along with Classic events through NAWG’s Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/wheatworld, and at NAWG’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/wheatworld.

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Contact: Melissa George Kessler, call or text, 202-386-2585

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5,000+ Farmers, Industry Reps Heading to Commodity Classic

Wheat growers from around the country are packing their bags for the 2012 Commodity Classic, which kicks off mid-week at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tenn. The Commodity Classic is the annual convention and trade show for NAWG, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association and the National Sorghum Producers. NAWG’s meetings at the 2012 Commodity Classic begin Wednesday, Feb. 29, and continue Thursday, March 1. NAWG’s Board meeting will be Saturday, March 3, as will the NAWG Foundation’s. The Classic trade show will open Thursday; a general session will be held Friday morning; and an evening of entertainment at the Grand Ole Opry will cap off official events Saturday. More information is at http://www.wheatworld.org/meetings-events/commodity-classic/.

Second Farm Bill Hearing Will Look at Conservation Issues

The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee is scheduled to hold its second farm bill hearing of the year on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The hearing will focus on conservation issues, with witnesses to include the administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Also testifying will be Dean Stoskopf, a wheat farmer from Hoisington, Kan., and Carl Mattson, a wheat farmer from Chester, Mont., both of whom have strong ties to their state wheat industry organizations. The hearing is planned to start at 10 a.m. D.C. time. It will be streamed live online at http://ag.senate.gov.

House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Looks at FY2013 Proposal

Official consideration of the agriculture portions of the Obama Administration’s FY2013 budget proposal began last Friday with a hearing in the House Appropriations Committee’s agriculture subcommittee. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was the key witness at the hearing. In spite of proposals to eliminate direct payments and cut crop insurance, Vilsack voiced support for a farm safety net, saying, “As the Farm Bill is drafted, I encourage Congress to provide USDA the tools and the flexibility needed to address the challenges faced by American producers.” A schedule of additional hearings on parts of the agriculture budget proposal is available at http://appropriations.house.gov/Issues/Issue/?IssueID=43419. More about the budget proposal is at http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/02/obamas-fy2013-budget-cuts-direct-payments-crop-insurance/ or http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget.

USTR: Korea FTA to Be Implemented on March 15

The office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced this week the U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement will go into effect on March 15. The agreement and similar measures with Colombia and Panama were passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama in October. Since that time, trade diplomats from the two countries have been working to activate the agreement, a process known formally as “entering into force.” Once in place, the Korea agreement will make nearly 80 percent of U.S. exports to the country – including 2/3 of agricultural exports, like wheat – duty free.

CropLife, Others Request Dismissal of Mega Suit on Crop Protection Products

CropLife America and other intervenors moved this week to dismiss a lawsuit that threatens to restrict farmers’ and public health officials’ access to crop protection products approved under the law. The lawsuit, filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and Pesticide Action Network against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in January 2011, alleges the government did not follow proper consultation procedures under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under the ESA, EPA is required to complete a consultation process with wildlife agencies in addition to its review under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which itself takes seven to 10 years and considers the effects of new chemistries on wildlife. EPA hasn’t completed a consultation since 1999 and many believe the consultation process is fundamentally flawed. The current lawsuit threatens the existing and long-standing registration of more than 380 chemicals that may impact 214 species in 49 states. The suit asks the court to restrict their use while the consultations occur, even though they have been approved under FIFRA. More from CropLife is at http://www.croplifeamerica.org/news/cla/22212-CropLife-America-Moves-to-Dismiss-Extremist-Endangered-Species-Act-Mega-Lawsuit.

Wheat Quality Council Meeting Attracts Record Participation

The Wheat Quality Council held its annual meeting last week in Kansas City, attracting a record 160 participants including many from state wheat commissions and the private wheat breeding community. At the meeting, Council members performed their annual review of new wheat varieties and discussed key topics within the industry, including a recent decrease in wheat consumption and coming changes to wheat marketing in Canada. The Council also selected new leadership, with Glen Weaver of ConAgra selected as chair. Wheat commissions represented at the meeting included North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Kansas and Colorado. Jane DeMarchi, NAWG’s research and technology director, represented the Association. More from the Council is at http://www.wheatqualitycouncil.org/.

Bayer and Texas A&M Team Up On Wheat Breeding

Bayer CropScience and Texas AgriLife Research, a part of the Texas A&M University System, announced late last week they have signed a multi-year agreement to develop and commercialize improved wheat varieties. The collaboration aims to expedite the delivery of higher yielding wheat varieties to market. Researchers will also focus on regionally-important characteristics such as drought resistance, disease resistance and improved quality. Additionally, the collaboration will focus on the development of molecular breeding tools. Financial details of the collaboration were not released. More on the agreement is at http://agrilife.org/today/2012/02/20/texas-agrilife-research-and-bayer-cropscience/.

The hearing included testimony from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack as well as rural development leaders and small business people. Much of the hearing focused on how to ensure rural development spending helps to create jobs and develop the growing renewable fuels and biobased products industries.

Though the hearing did not explicitly cover farm safety net priorities or proposals, Vilsack answered a number of questions related to them from Senators, asserting the importance of a domestically-produced food supply and engaging in an exchange over the viability of the SURE disaster program.

In her opening statement, Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) referenced a call earlier in the week from more than 80 agriculture groups, asking Congress to complete the reauthorization this year.

The groups, in a letter sent Monday to leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, urged them to reject suggestions of a farm bill extension and “aggressively act” to complete a new bill this year.

“The 2012 farm bill is among the most important pieces of legislation the U.S. Congress will consider this year,” they wrote.

“A temporary extension of current policy creates tremendous uncertainty while serving to further none of these needs. We, therefore, stand ready to help you in an effort to pass a full, comprehensive reauthorization of the farm bill this year, without needless delay or disruption.”

The letter, to which NAWG was a signatory, largely echoed a recent commodity group statement that followed joint farm bill meetings earlier this month.

In that statement, 13 groups representing producers of Title I crops said the meetings “confirmed…our common belief that Congress should pass and the President should sign a strong new farm bill into law this year. The law expires at the end of this year and producers – like all job creators – need certainty from Washington.”

The Senate’s hearing this week was the first of four planned in a series to examine farm bill-related programs. A hearing on conservation programs is scheduled for Feb. 28; a hearing on nutrition issues is scheduled for March 14; and a hearing on Title I, or farm safety net, programs is scheduled for March 21.

Stabenow and Committee Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) have expressed interest in moving a bill through their Committee by spring, with Memorial Day as an informal target.

The full letter sent this week from ag groups is at http://www.wheatworld.org/wp-content/uploads/farmbill-coalition-call-bill-this-year-20120213.pdf.

The commodity groups’ statement is at http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/02/commodity-group-release-statement-following-joint-meeting/.

A web archive of the Senate Agriculture hearing is at http://www.ag.senate.gov/hearings/energy-and-economic-growth-for-rural-america.

In a statement, the FCC said the federal agencies charged with coordinating spectrum use have “concluded that there is no practical way to mitigate potential interference at this time. Consequently, the Commission will not lift the prohibition on LightSquared.”

LightSquared has applied for a spectrum use waiver from the FCC to allow it to deploy technology to dramatically expand broadband access, including in rural areas.

Extensive testing showed, however, that the technology would also cause significant, and evidently unmitigatable, interference with GPS systems, which are essential parts of the modern agricultural, construction and aviation industries. GPS systems are also used by millions of Americans in their cars, on their mobile phones and for other reasons.

In January, a federal interagency committee unanimously determined that proposed fixes to the interference problems did not work, using similar language to say there “appear to be no practical solutions or mitigations” to GPS interference.

Farm groups and farm-state legislators have been heavily engaged on this issue over the past year because tests showed LightSquared’s technology would have disabled most of the estimated 500,000 precision receivers used in farm applications to save money, reduce environmental impact and improve on-farm safety.

NAWG and other groups have stood firm in the opinion that a workable fix was required before the FCC allowed LightSquared to move forward, and that the cost of any modifications required to existing systems be borne by the company, not the GPS user.

LightSquared’s options to proceed with its plans are limited to pursuing other areas of the spectrum or taking the issue to court. The Wall Street Journal reported this week the company may be interested in a spectrum swap with the Defense Department, though no parties to such an exchange were willing to comment.

The full statement from the FCC is at http://www.fcc.gov/document/spokesperson-statement-ntia-letter-lightsquared-and-gps/.

Letters sent by NAWG on this matter are available online at http://www.wheatworld.org/issues/othercorrespondence/.

The budget proposal itself is largely seen as a non-starter for political and logistical reasons. Still, it is a demonstration of the Administration’s priorities as the government looks to significantly cut spending in future years, and it has set the initial tone for the FY2013 budget debate in Washington.

Key proposals of interest to wheat producers included:

Farm Policy and Conservation

Overall, the budget proposed cutting $32 billion over 10 years by eliminating direct payments, reducing crop insurance spending and “better targeting conservation spending.”

With regards to direct payments, the Administration said the fixed, regular payments are not needed due to a strong farm economy and concerns that direct payments are capitalized into land values.

The Administration’s budget proposed to “streamline” crop insurance, largely through cutting more than $10 billion from administrative costs over 10 years.

The Administration proposed capping the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) at 30 million acres by 2013, which it said would save $977 million over 10 years.

The budget also proposed zeroing out the Watershed Rehabilitation Program (WRP), saving $15 million per year, while increasing the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) from $1.4 billion to $1.403 billion and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) from $769 million to $972 million.

Overall, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs would see $624 million in cuts.

Research

The President’s budget proposes increases of $68 million to USDA’s Research, Education and Economics mission area, known as REE. In a briefing, REE head Dr. Catherine Woteki said she was pleased with the budget request, noting that REE was one of the few program areas that has a proposed increase.

The proposed USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) budget is for $1.103 billion in discretionary spending, a slight increase from FY2012. Within ARS, the proposal included increases to address climate and environmental challenges facing agriculture and to enhance productivity of crop land.

These included proposed increases for wheat research of $500,000 for the Center for Grain and Animal Health in Manhattan, Kan., and $440,000 for the small grains genotyping lab in Pullman, Wash. Additional funding for an Ithaca, N.Y., lab would also help develop new tools for research in wheat and other crops.

The request for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) competitive grants program was $325 million, as it was in the President’s FY2012 budget proposal. In FY2012 $264 million was eventually appropriated by Congress for AFRI.

NAWG has supported increasing AFRI funding with a goal of reaching its $700 million authorization in the 2008 Farm Bill. In early 2011, 56 wheat and barley researchers from 28 institutions were awarded a $25 million AFRI grant to support work on drought tolerance, nitrogen use efficiency and rust diseases, which has already shown significant progress.

MAP/FMD

The Obama Administration budget proposed funding as authorized for the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, which are key cooperator cost-share programs used by the wheat industry and other agricultural groups for marketing programs overseas.

Other Priorities

Though not agriculture-specific, the Administration budget included some $50 billion in proposed spending on transportation infrastructure.

The budget also noted USDA plans to save $60 million in FY2013 by consolidating and closing offices and various administrative functions.

Next Steps

Responses to the budget by agriculture leaders were reflective of the focus on farm bill timelines and of partisan politics.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), whose panel held their first farm bill hearing of the year this week, said in a statement that the budget proposal “reinforces the need for Congress to pass a strong, fiscally responsible farm bill immediately this year, to provide farmers with the certainty they need to continue being successful.”

She referenced the $23 billion cut proposal she and colleagues came up with during the super committee process last fall, saying she does not agree with proposed crop insurance cuts but was “encouraged” to see the direct payment cut proposal.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) was more pointed, saying in a statement, “[T]his proposal shows a lack of perspective and understanding in how agriculture can realistically contribute [to deficit reduction].”

He said the proposed crop insurance cuts “[threaten] the integrity of the program itself” while ignoring efficiencies that could be found in conservation or nutrition spending.

The House Appropriations Committee’s agriculture subcommittee has a hearing on the budget proposal scheduled for Friday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. Various USDA officials, including Secretary Tom Vilsack, are planned witnesses.

The full budget proposal is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget.

New data from the Department’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) shows upticks in both the value and volume of U.S. agricultural exports worldwide in 2011, with international sales rising $20.5 billion over the previous record set in calendar year 2010.

Vilsack said the data show that U.S. agriculture remains a bright spot in the economy and that demand for American agricultural goods continues to increase.

He noted that every $1 billion in agricultural exports supports 8,400 American jobs, meaning that U.S. farm exports helped support more than 1 million U.S. jobs in 2011 throughout the farming, transportation, renewable energy, manufacturing and other sectors.

“That gets to the innovation of our American farmers, ranchers and growers,” Vilsack said in a statement. “American agriculture continues to apply the latest in technology and achieve a nearly unparalleled level of productivity. In fact, U.S. agriculture is the second-most productive sector of our economy in the past few decades outside of information technology.”

Vilsack said that exports of almost all major U.S. commodities rose in 2011, with grains the biggest contributor to the record at $37.7 billion, a $9.2 billion increase over 2010. Cotton, pork, beef and dairy exports also set records, at $8.5 billion, $6 billion, $5.4 billion and $4.8 billion, respectively.

Wheat exports in the 2011 fiscal year (versus calendar year) were worth about $11.48 billion. About half of the U.S. wheat crop is exported in a typical marketing season, bolstered by robust marketing efforts undertaken around the globe by U.S farmers, in association with FAS.

The latest export data is available via the Global Agricultural Trade System at http://www.fas.usda.gov/data.asp.

More about buying U.S. wheat is available from U.S. Wheat Associates at http://www.uswheat.org.

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Let the Games Begin: Obama Budget Proposal Expected Monday

The debate over federal spending is likely to get louder next week following Monday’s scheduled release of the Obama Administration’s budget proposal. NAWG and other agricultural organizations will be closely watching the proposal and reactions to it for indications of how the FY2013 budget cycle could play out, specifically with regards to agriculture research and other programs that require spending allocations to be passed each year. For his part, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has already indicated he does not intend to bring a FY2013 budget resolution to the floor of that chamber. The chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee has also announced the existing moratorium on earmarks, or Congressionally-directed spending, will continue in FY2013.

Surface Transportation Bills Moving Through House and Senate

Both the House and Senate are working on surface transportation funding bills, which could address a number of agriculture industry priorities. Bills ready for floor action in both chambers primarily tackle funding for the highway trust fund, which provides funding for projects across the country and is set to run out of money in the fall. The House version of the bill, H.R. 7, reportedly addresses needed hours-of-service exemptions for ag producers and commercial drivers license requirements for fuel transportation, as well as mandating a report on truck weight issues. Work is ongoing related to these issues in the Senate legislation, S. 1813.

Senate Starts New Round of Farm Bill Hearings on Wednesday

The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee is scheduled to hold its first farm bill hearing of the year on Wednesday, Feb. 15, starting at 9:30 a.m. D.C. time. The session will look specifically at energy policies and how they affect economic growth in rural America. Scheduled witnesses include Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, local government officials, small business people and a farmer. The hearing will be webcast live at http://ag.senate.gov. Future hearings are scheduled on conservation, nutrition and farm policy issues.

CDC Report Lists Bread As Top Source of Sodium

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report this week showing bread and rolls are the top source of sodium in American diets, due in large part to the frequency with which they are eaten. The CDC did not recommend Americans reduce the amount of bread or rolls they eat, but did reiterate the importance of checking labels and monitoring overall sodium consumption. Salt is used in bread making to enhance favor and increase bakeability. Since 1963, the average sodium level in a slice of bread has been reduced from 254 mg to 180 mg. The full CDC report is at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6105a3.htm?s_cid=mm6105a3_w.

Unintended Consequences: New EPA Reg Could Prevent Mosquito Spraying

The Contra Costa (Calif.) Times reported last week that local officials are concerned new pesticide permitting regulations could interfere with their ability to control mosquitoes, leading to an increase in human cases of the West Nile virus. The new requirements came from a complicated 2009 Sixth Circuit Court ruling saying pesticide applications that could come into contact with waters are a point source of pollution. A bill to clarify the requirements, H.R. 872, has passed the House but has been subject to a hold in the Senate by Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.). As spring approaches and insects start to hatch, local health officials are joining farmers in voicing strong concern about the new regulations and strong support for legislation to clarify it. The full Contra Costa Times story is at http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_19848380.

WASDE Shows U.S. Exports Up 25 Million Bushels

USDA’s February World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report showed U.S. exports up by 25 million bushels, including projected increases for soft red winter (SRW) and white wheat by 15 million bushes each while hard red winter (HRW) exports are projected down 5 million bushels. Overall, ending stocks for all wheat are now projected to be 25 million bushels lower at 845 million. The report raised the 2011/2012 projected season-average farm price by 20 cents on the bottom end of the range, to $7.15 to $7.45 per bushel. The full WASDE report is available at http://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde/.

ISAAA Reports Biotech Crop Acres Up 8 Percent

ISAAA’s latest report on biotech crop adoption shows biotech crop plantings grew by 8 percent in 2011, to 160 million hectares, or more than 395 million acres. The group said nearly 17 million farmers in 29 countries planted biotech crops last year, with half of biotech crops globally being grown in developing countries. ISAAA reports that since biotech crops were first commercialized in 1996, farmers have planted them on a total of more than 1.25 billion hectares, or more than 3 billion acres. A press release with more details from the report is available at http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/briefs/xx/pressrelease/default.asp.

Farmer and staff leaders of 13 commodity groups met in Washington, D.C. Tuesday and Wednesday to build relationships and consensus around farm policy priorities.

At the session, they confirmed their commitment to work together in the coming process and their common belief that a new farm bill should be completed this year to provide certainty to farmers and the industries they support.

“American agriculture stands out as one of the few sectors of the economy that has, throughout the economic downturn, still contributed positively to our nation’s balance of trade while helping to create jobs and put this country back on its economic feet,” the groups said in a joint statement following the meeting.

“And we have accomplished these things with a farm policy that also stands out as consistently under budget over the past 10 years and for leading the way on deficit reduction, contributing disproportionately and, in some cases, even alone, in the effort to get our nation’s fiscal house in order.

“The economy is fragile, unemployment is high, and Americans are worried. Given the need for economic growth and deficit reduction, for our part, we have offered to do more with less. If Washington provides America’s farmers and ranchers with some certainty, we can continue to help lead our nation’s economic recovery.”

The groups with leadership in the sessions represent the vast majority of commodity producers who participate in programs offered under Title I of the 2008 Farm Bill.

They included NAWG, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Farmers Union, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, US Canola Association, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council and USA Rice Federation.

On Wednesday, Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) announced her Committee will hold four hearings in February and March on farm bill issues.

A hearing set for Feb. 15 will cover energy issues; a hearing set for Feb. 29 will cover conservation issues; a hearing set for March 14 will cover nutrition issues; and a hearing set for March 21 will tackle what is expected to be the biggest road block to quick completion of the bill, risk management and commodity title policies.

The Committee announcement said witness lists and times will be released at a later date. It is widely expected the Senate Committee will complete its work on a new farm bill first, perhaps before the work of the House Agriculture Committee officially begins.

Farm bill watchers got another piece of interesting data this week from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), which provides the official estimates, or scores, of costs associated with proposed government programs.

In its Budget and Economic Outlook, released Tuesday, CBO said mandatory spending for agricultural support is expected to rise very slightly and remain stable over the next 10 years, accounting for $15 billion in 2011 and a projected average of $16 billion per year between 2012 and 2022. In 2013, CBO suggested mandatory agriculture spending will fall to about $13 billion.

By contrast, mandatory spending on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, came to about $77 billion per year in 2011, and is projected to remain in that range through 2022.

CBO’s projections of farm policy spending will be essential components of finalizing a farm bill in 2012, as overall program spending is expected to decline, putting pressure on policy makers to design a better safety net with ever-fewer dollars.

The Obama Administration is scheduled to release its budget proposal in mid-February, which will begin official budget discussions for the coming fiscal year.

More on the planned Senate Agriculture hearings is at http://ag.senate.gov.

The full commodity group joint statement is available at http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2012/02/commodity-group-release-statement-following-joint-meeting/.

In a release, DOL said a re-proposed portion of the rule covering the “parental exemption” will be available for comment in the summer. The parental exemption allows children of any age who are employed by their parent, or a person standing in the place of a parent, to perform any job on a farm owned by the parent or the person in place of the parent.

The Department said its decision came partly because of feedback from the public and Members of Congress following the publication of a proposed rule on child labor, issued in September.

The fall proposal was intended to make farm work safer for children, but largely overlooked the fact that most modern farms are enterprises encompassing extended families, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and long-time, but unrelated, farm workers. Farm groups, including NAWG, believed it would have had sweeping impact on farm operations, rural economies and valuable educational opportunities for children in rural communities participating in 4-H and FFA programs.

DOL said the re-proposal “will seek comments and inputs as to how the department can comply with statutory requirements to protect children, while respecting rural traditions.”

Until the rule under consideration is final, DOL also said it will interpret the parental exemption as it has in recent years.

In a statement, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack applauded the Department for listening to farmers and ranchers and said the additional commenting period represents “a common-sense approach to strengthen our agricultural economy while keeping farm kids safe.”

More on the re-proposal process is at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/whd/WHD20120203.htm.

An agriculture industry letter outlining many of the concerns expressed in recent months by farmers and ranchers is at http://www.wheatworld.org/issues/othercorrespondence/.

The Foundation was founded by the Gates’ in 1994 and is now the world’s largest philanthropic organization. Guided by the philosophy that every life has equal value, the Foundation spends the majority of its funds on global health and development projects, both of which are intimately tied to agriculture.

Gates’ comments in his 2012 letter expand on his longstanding interest in agricultural development, to which he says his Foundation has devoted $2 billion.

Research commissioned by the Foundation shows just $3 billion a year is spent researching the seven most important crops, including wheat, maize, rice, cassava, sorghum, legumes and sweet potatoes. Of that, $1.5 billion comes from countries’ public funds, $1.2 billion from private companies and $300 million from international research organization CGIAR. By comparison, the Foundation made $2.4 billion in grant payments across a range of program areas in 2010.

“Given the central role that food plays in human welfare and national stability, it is shocking – not to mention short-sighted and potentially dangerous – how little money is spent on agricultural research,” he wrote.

In the letter, Gates said the world population is projected to swell to 9.7 billion by 2050. To meet the needs of this growing number of people, he said it is imperative to “help poor farmers sustainably increase their productivity so they can feed themselves and their families,” but he realized that is only achievable “if we prioritize agricultural innovation.”

Gates also highlighted research being done to combat Ug99, which has been funded by the Foundation through the Durable Rust Resistance in Wheat project. Ug99 is a virulent wheat stem rust that has devastated crops in Africa and parts of the Middle East and is poised to spread into some of the most populous and volatile parts of the world.

It is the first such disease to rear its head since the Green Revolution of the 1960s and 1970s, and, in his letter, Gates compared the potential danger a disease like Ug99 can cause to the widespread starvation and poverty caused by potato blight in Europe in the 1840s.

Gates’ focus on agricultural research has the potential to dramatically amplify growing concern about the overall stagnation, and in some areas, decrease, in funding for agricultural research.

This is a particular worry for the wheat industry, which is disproportionally dependent on public-sector research dollars that have decreased in recent years because of squeezed state and federal budgets.

At the same time, more private research organizations have announced new investments in wheat research since 2008, and there is increasing recognition that coordination and collaboration among wheat researchers in the U.S. and abroad is necessary to meet growing challenges of diseases and pests while still increasing yields to keep up with population growth.

Gates’ letter in its entirety is at http://www.gatesfoundation.org/annual-letter/2012/Documents/2012-annual-letter-english.pdf.

More about wheat research and NAWG’s research priorities is at www.wheatworld.org/research.

• American Farm Bureau Federation
• American Soybean Association
• National Association of Wheat Growers
• National Barley Growers Association
• National Corn Growers Association
• National Cotton Council
• National Farmers Union
• National Sorghum Producers
• National Sunflower Association
• Southern Peanut Farmers Federation
• US Canola Association
• USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council
• USA Rice Federation

“Over the past two days, producer leaders have met to discuss policy priorities, to hear the perspectives of key policymakers and to work toward consensus on the future of U.S. farm policy. What was confirmed in our meeting is that we are committed to work together to come up with a viable farm policy.

“Also confirmed is our common belief that Congress should pass and the President should sign a strong new farm bill into law this year. The law expires at the end of this year and producers – like all job creators – need certainty from Washington.

“American agriculture has a solid record that we are proud of.

“The people we represent ensure that American consumers spend less of their paycheck at the grocery than anyone else in the world.

“American agriculture stands out as one of the few sectors of the economy that has, throughout the economic downturn, still contributed positively to our nation’s balance of trade while helping to create jobs and put this country back on its economic feet.

“And we have accomplished these things with a farm policy that also stands out as consistently under budget over the past 10 years and for leading the way on deficit reduction, contributing disproportionately and in some cases even alone in the effort to get our nation’s fiscal house in order.

“The economy is fragile, unemployment is high, and Americans are worried. Given the need for economic growth and deficit reduction, for our part we have offered to do more with less. If Washington provides America’s farmers and ranchers with some certainty, we can continue to help lead our nation’s economic recovery.”

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Contact:

Dana Peterson, National Association of Wheat Growers, dpeterson (at) wheatworld.org

Reece Langley, USA Rice Federation, rlangley (at) usarice.com

Under a December 2011 law, which still faces some legal challenges, the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) will lose its grain marketing monopoly Aug. 1, allowing western Canadian farmers to sell their wheat and barley in the open market.

The United States is routinely Canada’s top wheat export market, but Canada’s open market changes could affect the ways wheat moves into the United States.

“We believe that in an open market, some Canadian wheat will move to U.S. country elevators near the border,” said Gordon Stoner, a Montana wheat farmer who serves as the head of the USW/NAWG Joint International Trade Policy Committee.

“Our wheat farmers are ready to accept that outcome as long as we similarly have a fair opportunity to deliver into the Canadian handling system. This resolution gives NAWG and USW the authority to work with farmers, the grain trade and government agencies here and in Canada to give U.S. farmers reciprocal access to the Canadian market. We seek an open border — in both directions.”

Stoner said some key issues must be resolved before U.S. farmers could sell their wheat to cash markets in Canada, such as Canada’s narrow wheat class variety eligibility lists that do not allow most U.S. varieties to be marketed in the country as top grade milling wheat.

“Ultimately, open trade across the border will be good for both Canadian and U.S. wheat farmers by adding efficiency and allowing Canadian and U.S. wheat handlers, users and growers to compete on the basis of quality and location,” Stoner said. “At the same time, with the CWB monopoly gone, the international market that determines our prices will become more transparent, fair and efficient.”

For an audio report from Stoner on happenings at the NAWG/USW Joint International Trade Policy Committee meeting Jan. 28, please visit http://www.wheatworld.org/wp-content/uploads/audio-stoner-report-jitpc-20120131.mp3.

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The Wheat Leader of the Year Award, the wheat industry’s highest public service award, is given annually to one Member of Congress based on his or her demonstrated commitment to the well-being and goals of the wheat industry.

Baucus was chosen by NAWG’s leadership to receive the 2011 award because of his tireless support of three free trade agreements that were approved last year; his efforts to protect crop insurance within the federal budget; and his general advocacy for agricultural priorities.

“We in Montana know how much Sen. Baucus and his staff care about our state’s farmers and about farmers around the country,” said Bing Von Bergen, NAWG’s second vice president and a wheat farmer from Moccasin, Mont. “Sen. Baucus has proven time and time again that he’s a champion of the wheat industry. He understands our concerns and does a spectacular job of fighting for them.”

Baucus received his award at a NAWG open house Thursday evening, held during the Wheat Industry Winter Conference in Washington, D.C.

“America’s farmers commend Chairman Baucus for his leadership in the effort to approve trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, and for his strong defense of essential programs that support the foundation of our nation’s economy – agriculture,” said NAWG Chief Executive Officer Dana Peterson.

Baucus is a repeat winner of the Wheat Leader award, having also won it in 2008 and 2002.

Previous Wheat Leaders include Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) (2010); Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) (2009 and 2007); Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) (2006); Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.) (2005); Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) (2004); Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) (2003); Rep. Larry Combest (R-Texas) (2001); Rep. George Nethercutt (R-Wash.) (2000); and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) (1999).

Representatives from NAWG’s member-states, in town for NAWG and U.S. Wheat Associates meetings and Hill visits, have also been delivering other wheat awards given by the national association.

The Wheat Advocate Award is given annually to Members of Congress who have demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm.

Those receiving 2011 Wheat Advocate awards include:

• Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.)
• Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio)
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)
• House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.)
• House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)
• Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)
• Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio)
• Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho)
• Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.)

The Friend of Wheat Award is given annually by NAWG for superior action in support of the goals and policies of the wheat industry. This award is given to Congressional and administrative staff members who have demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm.

The 2011 Friend of Wheat Awards were given to:

• Jonathan Coppess – Senate Agriculture Committee Majority Staff
• Ryan Flickner – Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.)
• Krysta Harden – USDA’s Office of the Secretary
• Tina May – Senate Agriculture Committee Majority Staff
• Jim Miller – Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.)
• Bill Murphy – USDA-Risk Management Agency
• Clark Ogilvie – House Agriculture Committee Minority Staff
• Joe Schultz – Senate Agriculture Committee Majority Staff
• Mike Seyfert – Senate Agriculture Committee Minority Staff
• Anne Simmons – House Agriculture Committee Minority Staff
• Alexis Taylor – Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.)

Awards that couldn’t be delivered to winners during this week’s activities in Washington will be presented to Members and staff members at a later date.

More about the Congressional awards, including more about past winners, is available at http://www.wheatworld.org/about-us/policy-process/.

Pictures of Baucus and other winners receiving their awards are at www.facebook.com/wheatworld.

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Contact: Melissa Kessler, NAWG, mkessler (at) wheatworld.org, 202-547-7800

As in years past, the speech was wide ranging, ambitious and, of course, political, offering far more extensive proposals than are likely to be seriously considered in a divisive political climate and an election year.

In a section on trade priorities, the President said U.S. businesses were tracking ahead of his goal to double U.S. exports in five years and praised recently-passed free trade agreements, though it look more than four years for them to be approved. He also pledged to “go anywhere in the world to open new markets for American products” and announced a new “trade enforcement unit” to investigate unfair trading practices.

Addressing the power of small businesses and start-ups, he urged Congress to “tear down regulations that prevent aspiring entrepreneurs from getting the financing to grow.” Later, he said “there’s no question that some regulations are outdated, unnecessary or too costly,” using as an example proposed requirements for dairy farmers to have Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans for spilled milk.

Obama talked extensively about the need for domestic energy production, adopting a mantra more typical of Republicans by saying the U.S. needs “an all-out, all-of-the-above” approach to domestic energy development.

He called for Congress to set a “clean energy standard that creates a market for innovation” and announced plans to create enough clean energy on public land to power 3 million homes. For energy and other areas, he touted the power of “basic research,” citing examples in the health care and technical areas, though not in agriculture.

Importantly to farmers, Obama addressed the need for infrastructure improvements, urging funding for construction projects, roads and bridges, modernization of the power grid and, in one of few direct mentions of rural needs, rural broadband.

Text of the full State of the Union address is at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/24/remarks-president-state-union-address.

USDA rolled out the new school meal regulations on Wednesday with the assistance of First Lady Michelle Obama.

The new meal requirements will modify the standards for the first time in 15 years, touching meals consumed by an estimated 32 million children each school day.

USDA highlighted five key changes in the new standards, including:

• substantially increasing offerings of whole grain-rich foods;
• ensuring students are offered both fruits and vegetables every day of the week;
• offering only fat-free or low-fat milk varieties;
• limiting calories based on the age of children being served to ensure proper portion size; and
• increasing the focus on reducing the amounts of saturated fat, trans fats and sodium.

Existing lunch standards called for eight servings a week, a minimum of one per day, of grains, with whole grains encouraged. The new standards set required minimum daily and weekly servings, based on grade level, with at least half of grains required to be whole grain rich beginning on July 1 of this year. By July 2014, all grains must be whole grain rich.

Current breakfast standards call for daily meals to include either two grains, two meats or one of each. The new standards set daily minimums for grains alone, again varying by grade level, and require half of those grains to be whole grain rich by July 1, 2013, with all of them whole grain rich by July 1, 2014.

The Wheat Foods Council, wheat farmers’ nutrition education organization, embraced the new requirements while also reminding legislators of the importance of enriched grain products.

A full statement from WFC is at http://www.wheatfoods.org/blog/2012/01/26/wheat-foods-council-statement-usda-school-meal-nutrition-standards.

USDA developed the new standards based on recommendations from an expert panel and the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is the latest revision of the government’s nutritional guidelines.

The Department said it received 132,000 comments on the proposed standards, which are part of a larger law, the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, passed in 2010. The law also provides increased funding for school meals; offers technical assistance and training to help schools reach the new standards; and regulates other food available in schools, for example, through vending machines.

Much more about the new school meal standards is online at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Legislation/nutritionstandards.htm.

Yahoo Education, a news division of the search engine giant, published the piece by writer Terence Loose, listing agriculture, animal science and horticulture as three of the five “most useless” degrees available to college students.

The article was based on figures from the Department of Labor assessing the number of available positions for farm managers, animal scientists, and farmers and ranchers. Perhaps showing the cultural divide between those who work in the farming and food industries and those who don’t, it didn’t take into consideration the many jobs related to agriculture that aren’t directly on the farm, including with input suppliers, farm services, food processing and distribution and the agricultural media. The result was a very narrow view of an industry that encompasses 21 million U.S. jobs.

The Yahoo piece was also highly antithetical to those who actually work in the industry and know it is one of the few bright spots in an economy that has stagnated for nearly four years. While other U.S. industries that produce tangible products, like manufacturing, have struggled to compete in a global market, U.S. agriculture is thriving, with ag exports worth $137 billion in the last fiscal year.

Farmers, editors of agriculture publications and agriculture educators responded in force against the article’s allegations, pointing out the generalizations and gaps in its argument and reminding people that, as an editorial from Drovers CattleNetwork put it, “[d]on’t criticize our chosen profession…with your mouth full.”

The deans of agriculture at Purdue University, the University of Illinois, the Ohio State University and Iowa State University released a detailed press statement citing studies showing the need for agriculture industry workers and low unemployment rates for ag graduates compared to their peers in other fields.

The article was still producing Twitter traffic as of press time, with the hash tag #productofagedu marking some tweets. On Facebook, a new group titled “I Studied Agriculture & I Have A Job” had nearly 4,500 likes on Thursday.

The greater irony of the Yahoo piece for those who did study agriculture – and those who didn’t but work in the industry anyway – is that even as the number of on-farm jobs decreases, farmers still struggle to find qualified workers, and many industries that support the farming and food systems are in dire need of young, talented people.

Agricultural research is one of these areas, with both public and private research organizations raising concerns about finding the qualified, and highly-paid, professionals they need now and will need in the coming decades. Experienced wheat researchers, for instance, are in high demand as more and more investment goes into producing the world’s most widely cultivated crop with less water and land and yet to feed more people.

As longtime aggies continue to tackle these real challenges, they can be heartened that their backlash against the Yahoo piece might have a happy consequence: showing their urban friends the rich opportunities available in one of our country’s most fundamental industries.

The full Yahoo article is at http://education.yahoo.net/articles/most_useless_degrees.htm.

That was the main message of a letter sent last week by the group’s co-chairmen to the Department of Commerce, noting that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also concluded the technology could interfere with flight-safety systems that depend on GPS.

The co-chairs of the interagency review panel, who are deputy secretaries of the Departments of Defense and Transportation, indicated in their letter that the level of interference, even with proposed fixes, is so severe “no additional testing is warranted at this time.”

LightSquared has applied for a spectrum use waiver from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow it to deploy technology to dramatically expand broadband access, including in rural areas.

However, extensive testing has shown the technology also causes significant interference with GPS systems, which are well-integrated into the agricultural, construction, aviation and other industries, as well as commonly used by members of the general public.

Agriculture groups are heavily engaged on this issue because without a technical fix, LightSquared’s technology would knock out most of an estimated 500,000 precision receivers used in farm equipment, which have allowed for critical safety and environmental benefits and billions of dollars of savings on the farm.

LightSquared reacted quickly to the interagency determination, saying the review process was “fraught with inappropriate involvement of the GPS manufacturers, lax controls, obvious bias, lack of transparency and unexplained delays,” and that its private tests have shown its proposed fix for the interference problem “works flawlessly.”

The Coalition to Save Our GPS, which has advised caution in moving forward, said in a statement, “LightSquared has been afforded every possible opportunity to make its technical case and has failed to demonstrate that it can avoid interference to many critical GPS-based activities… At this point, there is no evidence that any further modifications to its proposal would yield a different conclusion.”

NAWG and other groups have stood firm in the opinion that a workable fix must be found before the FCC grants LightSquared’s waiver, and that the cost of any modifications required to existing systems be borne by the company, not the GPS user.

Letters sent by NAWG on this matter are available online at http://www.wheatworld.org/issues/othercorrespondence.

More about the issue from the Coalition to Save Our GPS is at www.saveourgps.org.

About 120 stakeholders attended the sessions last weekend in San Diego, Calif., including most of the 56 scientists who participate in the wheat and barley research program.

While the bulk of the meeting’s time was spent on technical research reports, education and collaboration efforts were also key topics.

One of the objectives of the T-CAP project, which is funded by a $25 million grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), is to train undergraduate and graduate students at participating universities and minority-serving institutions in essential scientific skills.

There is increasing recognition among project leaders that communication and collaboration are also vital skills for researchers that could be incorporated into future training. A pool of scientists is needed who can explain to the general public, the media and lawmakers the impact plant sciences have on the day-to-day lives of every person who eats food.

T-CAP scientists are also undertaking a number of efforts to help younger students learn about and become interested in plant science. Resources are being developed for undergraduate and advanced high school students, like a recruitment film showing what T-CAP scientists do and why their work matters.

In an age of increased collaboration and coordination with other researchers at home and abroad, the development of databases was also a focus of the meeting conversation. New technologies like DNA markers dramatically increase the volume of information available to scientists, which must be channeled into a useable, and searchable, form. The need for adequate data management tools is seen as an international priority and is also a key focus of the international wheat research initiative that was created by the G20. In the case of the T-CAP project, scientists are already seeing the need for more server space to manage the explosion of data that has been developed.

NAWG is a strong supporter of the T-CAP project, which is one of the premier public wheat research collaborations funded by USDA. NAWG Chief Executive Officer Dana Peterson attended the T-CAP meeting on behalf of the Association and wheat producers.

She later attended the annual meeting of the Wheat Foods Council, which is a nutrition education organization funded by wheat growers and users.

That meeting focused on the Wheat Foods’ outreach plans for the coming year, including a presence at various events in the nutrition and dietician community; expansion of the WFC Network, Wheat Foods’ revitalized website; publication of a new e-magazine; and coordination of a wheat tour for nutrition bloggers, chefs and other influencers.

More about the T-CAP project is at http://wheat.pw.usda.gov/triticeaecap/.

More from Wheat Foods Council is at http://www.wheatfoods.org/.

The session was sponsored by the Commodity Markets Council and included statements from Ann Shuman, a deputy general counsel for the CME Group.

CME representatives could not offer new details about the whereabouts of the missing money, which is currently estimated to be just over $1 billion, but they did reiterate statements made in Congressional hearings that the crisis arose due to poor, and possibly illegal, decisions by MF Global rather than a lack of oversight.

At the briefing, it was noted that CME was auditing MF Global in the week leading up to its bankruptcy because of the possibility that MF was going to be sold to another firm. During this audit, CME found a sizeable shortfall in funds that they first attributed to an “accounting error,” but later said may have been due to an illegal transfer of funds.

On Oct. 31, 2011, MF Global filed for bankruptcy protection, citing its $31.7 billion of debts against its $41 billion of assets, making it the eighth largest corporate bankruptcy in U.S. history. In its filing, the company also cited the fact it had made unwise decisions investing on European sovereign debt.

Customers with missing money have currently been compensated for about 72 percent of their account values, but there will not be any additional distributions until the end of the bankruptcy trustee process.

The current deadline for all commodity customers to submit claims to the trustee is Jan. 31, though MF Global’s bankruptcy court was set to consider on Thursday an extension to that deadline. The deadline for all non-commodity-related creditor claims is June 2.

NAWG is continuing to monitor the MF Global bankruptcy proceedings as the investigation into the missing funds continues, and NAWG staff attended the briefing this week. The bankruptcy will also be a topic of discussion at NAWG’s upcoming winter committee and Board meetings.

A letter sent previously by the agriculture industry on this matter is at http://www.wheatworld.org/issues/othercorrespondence/.

Classic 2012 is set to be held March 1 – 3 at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tenn. NAWG policy committee meetings held in association with the convention will begin Wednesday, Feb. 29, and the Evening of Entertainment that caps off official Classic events is scheduled for the evening of Saturday, March 3.

Early-bird registration is available at a rate of $190 for grower-members, $290 for non-members, $145 for spouses and older teens, and $75 for children to age 15. After Jan. 20, rates will rise to $215 for grower-members, $315 for non-members and $165 for spouses and older teens.

As in past years, the $100 difference between member and non-member rates means a farmer who isn’t currently a member of a NAWG state association could join and register for the convention for about the same total cost.

NAWG encourages all individuals within the wheat chain to indicate their affiliation with NAWG on their registration forms.

Classic is the annual convention and trade show for NAWG, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association and the National Sorghum Producers.

Attendees can expect to enjoy a wide variety of educational sessions, networking opportunities and a trade show displaying the newest technology and equipment.

Educational sessions will also help producers be better at what they do by demonstrating how policy and regulations will affect their bottom lines and how new technology and innovation can impact profitability and production.

More about the show, including outlines of the event’s agenda and housing possibilities, is available at www.commodityclassic.com.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to return next Tuesday, with the Senate reconvening Jan. 23. The annual State of the Union address by President Barack Obama, the traditional start of the Congressional season, is scheduled for Jan. 24.

Conventional wisdom that little legislating happens during an election year is bolstered in 2012 by memories of a rough 2011, during which political differences took the country to the brink of a government shutdown three times.

The year ended with a standoff between House Republicans and the Senate and President over an extension of an existing payroll tax holiday. That extension was approved two days before Christmas, but it only lasts two months.

A longer-term payroll holiday package is likely to be one of a few priorities tackled effectively in the new Congressional session. Other must-dos include a 2013 fiscal year budget, which will probably involve a continuing resolution of the FY2012 budget, and debate over whether or not to allow $1.2 trillion in sequestration budget cuts to go into effect early next year.

Of course, the 2008 Farm Bill expires on Sept. 30. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) has said her Committee will begin hearings on the farm bill rewrite early in the year, with the goal of having an “initial product” by spring. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) has not been as direct about his plans, but it’s likely all efforts will run into the same tense negotiating environment that existed in 2011.

Other wheat grower priorities on the horizon for 2012 include resolution of duplicative pesticide permitting requirements addressed in H.R. 872; continued congressional oversight of the MF Global bankruptcy and loss of $1.2 billion of customer funds; and work on the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks.

The Fieldprint Calculator was first released in 2009 to help growers assess their corn, wheat, soybean, cotton and rice operations in terms of land use, soil conservation, soil carbon, water use, energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

The online tool is interactive, allowing growers to input their data and see how they compare to other, similar operations. The new version of the Fieldprint Calculator was improved based on recommendations from growers and to incorporate new data, including from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The update is aiming to make the Calculator’s results more accurate and consistent while also making the tool easier for individuals to use.

Growers can now compare their Fieldprint to similar operations across the county, state and nation, through comparisons and scenario-based options. Other new features allow growers to include crop rotations, calculate soil carbon and analyze cost savings for on-farm decisions through a budgeting function.

The new version of the Calculator is undergoing several pilot projects supported by Field to Market members to test the new features with corn, wheat and rice growers.

The Calculator was originally developed to help accelerate environmental gains made within the farm gate and to help demonstrate those practices outside the farm gate. It is the hallmark effort of the Field to Market coalition, which includes participants from commodity groups like NAWG, agribusinesses, universities, major food companies and environmental groups.

To learn more about Field to Market or try out the new calculator, visit www.fieldtomarket.org.

The endowments will be worth $2 million over time and will fund wheat breeding and wheat agronomist professorships located at the University’s Aberdeen Research and Extension Center.

The Commission is the quasi-state agency that collects and invests Idaho wheat checkoff dollars to support the state’s 4,500 wheat growers and their $766 million-per-year harvest.

The new professorships will enhance a separate partnership announced between Limagrain Cereal Seeds and the College to breed new wheat varieties for the Pacific Northwest region.

Limagrain Cereal Seeds is a joint venture between the France-based Limagrain Group, the largest cereal seed company in Europe, and Arcadia Biosciences, a U.S. biotech company.

Under the new public-private partnership, both the College and the company are expected to contribute germplasm, technology and expertise to more rapidly develop varieties with improved productivity and tolerance to diseases and stress. While financial terms of agreement were not disclosed, the Commission said Limagrain will also fund a significant endowment for cropping systems research and graduate training at the university.

In making the endowment and public-private partnership announcements, the Wheat Commission also said that the College has committed to further assist the grain industry by reallocating resources to cereal research and extension capacity, which were hard hit during the severe economic downturn of the past several years.

The Commission said the strategic and collaborative partnerships will enable the college to fill two cropping positions in the coming year, one each in Moscow and Aberdeen, along with a plant nutrition position. To further improve adaptation of new wheat varieties in northern Idaho, an area-wide extension educator position will be filled to support cereal agronomic and yield test sites in northern Idaho.

“Wheat growers of Idaho are very aware of how important research is to our bottom line,” said Gordon Gallup of Ririe, chairman of the Idaho Wheat Commission. “If wheat is to remain competitive in our state and region, growers of Idaho must look to public/private partnerships, as well as requiring increased efficiencies in our public research programs.”

The announcements out of Idaho are the latest in a stream of new wheat research investments since 2008. Since that time, many in the business and governmental sectors around the world have recognized a reality growers have known for years: more money and more efficiency are needed within wheat research to help keep the crop competitive and feed a growing global population. A briefer outlining recent announcements is at http://www.wheatworld.org/wp-content/uploads/biotech-research-announcements-since-2008-20111003.pdf.

The full Idaho Wheat Commission release is at http://idahowheat.org/.

WOLF is designed as an advanced leadership program for state wheat grower leaders who will soon become members of the NAWG Board of Directors, though other individuals are welcome to apply.

The goal of the program is to provide a solid foundation of knowledge about NAWG and about board leadership.

Training sessions focus on the responsibilities of Board members, the wheat industry’s structure and leadership skills like meeting management and conflict resolution. Other sessions include information about effective communication with the media and Capitol Hill stakeholders.

The WOLF program is put on annually as a regular Foundation program. It is generously sponsored by Bayer CropScience, and Bayer representatives will join the growers throughout the program’s sessions.

Members of the 2012 WOLF class include:

• Tyler Anderson, Pine Bluff, Wyo.
• Caroline Brauer, Lincoln, Neb.
• Dayton Christensen, Big Springs, Neb.
• Clark Hamilton, Ririe, Idaho
• Ryan McCormick, Kremlin, Mont.
• Raymond Parrish, Hunter, Okla.
• James Parsons, Ducor, Calif.
• Marvin Schlatter, Hutchinson, Kan.

WOLF sessions will begin Wednesday, Jan. 25, ahead of the Wheat Industry Winter Conference.

More about the Conference is available online at http://www.wheatworld.org/meetings-events/winterconference/.

The spending bill, which was passed by the House on Friday and the Senate on Saturday, is being called a “megabus” because it combines most but not all of the 12 regular appropriations bills, totaling more than $900 billion.

It was the last piece of work Congress was required to finish before breaking for the year, with a continuing resolution funding the government expiring last Friday.

Shortly before press time, it appeared the leadership of both Congressional chambers and President Barack Obama had also coalesced around a plan to extend expiring payroll tax holiday provisions for two months pending a longer-term extension after the first of the year. This had been a major point of contention that kept some House Members in town until late in the week.

Despite this dispute, passage of a long-term spending bill is encouraging ahead of a year expected to be heavy on both priorities and politicking before the 2012 elections.

Of note to the agriculture community, the megabus bill included $1.17 billion allocated for food security and agricultural development work through the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), some of which should go to international wheat and maize research organization CIMMYT. The World Bank’s Global Agriculture and Food Security Program was funded at $135 million. Both of these are particular achievements in the current budget environment for important international work.

Related to trade policy, the bill did not include a proposed rider that would have reversed recent policy changes for Cuba travel, which at one point was a major roadblock for the measure’s passage.

However, the bill also did not include language from H.R. 872 or another legislative fix for new and duplicative pesticide permitting requirements that emanate from a 2009 Sixth Circuit Court ruling. Work will continue to resolve this issue as quickly as possible in the new year.

Funding for USDA programs was not a part of the megabus bill, having been approved in November as part of a smaller appropriations and continuing resolution measure.

That bill funded USDA agencies and programs at $136.6 billion, a reduction of $4.6 billion from the Obama Administration’s request. Discretionary spending made up $19.8 billion of the total, $350 million below last year’s level and $2.5 billion below the Administration’s request.

Agricultural research programs took a hit in the bill, though conferees avoided the draconian cuts included the House-passed appropriations measure.

The agriculture appropriations measure provided $2.297 billion for the National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), which is approximately $12 million below the Senate level and $282 million above the House.

The Senate’s number for ARS prevailed, with the bill ultimately providing $1.095 billion, down from $1.133 billion in FY2011. The House had proposed a funding level of $995.3 million, which would have represented a cut of more than 12 percent.

That bill’s conference committee largely rejected House-level cuts to conservation programs and fully funded both the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, which are key to the wheat industry’s marketing work around the world.

In addition to U.S. Wheat Associates’ work helping public and private wheat buyers get the most value possible from U.S. wheat imports, the U.S. wheat industry advocates for trade policies that support open and fair competition. Looking back on 2011, several trade policy achievements hold the promise of an even more rewarding year in 2012 for wheat buyers and producers.

Perhaps most important, the United States ratified three free trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama that add value to the partnership with U.S. wheat farmers. Swift implementation of these three important agreements will ensure that customers in these countries are no longer subject to tariffs on U.S. wheat imports.

Negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) gained momentum this year. Several countries – most notably Japan – expressed interest in joining the nine current TPP negotiating countries. Details of the agreement are taking shape and, after a successful Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, there is hope for a final agreement in 2012. Once complete, the TPP will help lower tariffs and other trade barriers facing U.S. wheat and help improve economic opportunity for each member country.

While progress in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round in 2011 was slow at best, the WTO remains a useful organization for the international trading system. USW fully supports the fundamental objective of the Doha Round to improve the trading prospects of developing countries. Last month, Director-General Pascal Lamy told WTO members that “in a context of greater economic uncertainty and rising global risks, it is all the more important that the process of global trade opening continues.”

U.S. wheat importers made record use of the USDA’s GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee Program. GSM-102 provides credit guarantees to encourage financing of commercial exports of U.S. agricultural products, while providing competitive credit terms to buyers, especially in developing countries.

Finally, in the face of critical budget challenges, the U.S. Congress has agreed to maintain full funding of the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) programs for fiscal year 2012. We believe that is because these programs provide an excellent return to U.S. farmers and their overseas customers. USW and the entire U.S. wheat industry will continue advocating for MAP and FMD so that we can continue offering the trade service, technical assistance and market information on which our customers rely.

More about wheat industry trade priorities is at www.wheatworld.org/trade and http://www.uswheat.org/whatWeDo/tradePolicy.

Festive cookies, served at year-end holiday gatherings, may in the future be made with a larger proportion of whole-grain flour instead of familiar, highly refined white flour. That’s a goal of ongoing studies by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists in Wooster, Ohio.

A study by scientists with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Soft Wheat Quality Research Unit in Wooster was published earlier this year in Crop Science. The research may help plant breeders zero in on promising new wheat plants that might be tomorrow’s superstar producers of whole-grain soft wheat flours for cookie doughs.

ARS is USDA’s chief intramural scientific research agency.

Consumption of whole grains has been associated, in some studies, with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. But Americans don’t eat enough whole grains, according to wheat expert Edward J. Souza. A former ARS research leader and plant geneticist at Wooster, Souza now directs wheat breeding for an international plant science company.

Souza conducted the cookie-flour study in collaboration with Clay H. Sneller of Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center at Wooster, and with Mary J. Guttieri, formerly with the center.

New, detailed evidence from their investigation confirms that two inexpensive, readily available and relatively simple tests are reliable tools for getting an early in-the-laboratory indication of how good a promising new wheat may prove to be as a future source of whole-grain cookie flour.

The two procedures – the sucrose SRC (solvent retention capacity) test and the milling softness equivalent test – aren’t new. But the Wooster team’s study is perhaps the most thorough examination of the tests’ reliability as an early screen for a new soft-wheat flour’s performance in whole-grain cookie doughs.

The scientists used 14 different commercial varieties of soft wheat for this research. The study showed that breeders and foodmakers can rely on the SRC and softness tests for early screening. Later, when they want to narrow their focus to only those plants that are uniquely superior sources of whole-grain cookie dough flour, they can invest in the “wire-cut cookie test,” a more expensive procedure.

ARS, Ohio State University, and Kraft Foods North America funded the research. Read more about it in the November/December 2011 issue of Agricultural Research magazine or at http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/nov11/flour1111.htm.

MF Global, a derivatives broker-dealer, declared bankruptcy on Oct. 31. Since that time, investigators have been working to determine where an estimated $1.2 billion in missing customer money went in the final, hectic days of the company’s life.

It is widely suspected – though there have been no formal charges made – that the money held for customers was somehow mixed in with the firm’s own money, and then lost or put up to cover a firm margin call.

At a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on Tuesday, CME Group Executive Chairman Terrence Duffy testified someone in his company has indicated former MF Global chief executive Jon Corzine knew about a loan from customer to firm accounts – a revelation that is the only real break in the case thus far.

At a House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Oversight Investigations hearing held Thursday, Corzine, who had completed his Senate testimony before Duffy was empanelled, again denied directing or intending for customer money to be used.

In addition to Corzine, Agriculture Committee Members in the Senate heard from a farmer panel about the impacts they are seeing from the funds loss. Additional panels included other MF Global executives and government and industry regulators.

It now appears that through a claims process, customers who have not been made whole may receive slightly more than 70 percent of their funds.

In addition to the financial losses faced by former MF Global customers, the circumstances surrounding the bankruptcy have created serious uncertainty about the safety of customer money held by brokers.

NAWG will remain engaged in this issue as Congress, the CFTC and others continue their investigations. A letter sent previously by the agriculture industry on this matter is at http://www.wheatworld.org/issues/othercorrespondence/.

In individual and group comments, NAWG told USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that full deregulation of Roundup Ready sugar beets, which have been determined to be safe by a number of government reviews, would be the appropriate regulatory decision.

Roundup Ready sugar beets were deregulated in 2005 by USDA, but in 2010, a U.S. District Court judge ruled the Department should conduct a more extensive review, known as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Since the court challenge was based on process and not safety, the widely-adopted crop was partially deregulated in early 2011, in time to allow farmers to plant it this growing season.

In the Association’s individual statement, NAWG Chief Executive Officer Dana Peterson told regulators NAWG strongly believes growers should have the choice to plant new and safe agricultural technologies, and they should have access to a reliable regulatory process.

“Farmers, processors and consumers should be able to count on biotech crop approvals issued by the experts in federal agencies,” she wrote.

In the coalition comments, signatories stressed the financial and intangible costs of the “lengthy and unpredictable” regulatory and litigation processes faced by biotech sugar beets and other crops.

These themes echoed recent coalition comments to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) related to its effort to create a “national bioeconomy blueprint.”

The agency had requested input on grand challenges that could be addressed utilizing new technology, as well as regulatory issues surrounding their introduction into the marketplace.

The agriculture coalition in which NAWG joined focused its comments on plant biotechnology issues, describing the importance of biotech applications to meeting global food demand while using fewer resources and assisting crop adaptation to climatic changes around the world.

The groups urged policy makers to “maintain the integrity of the regulatory process with respect to biotechnology crops” and supported the continued development of the regulatory process known as the “coordinated framework,” which brings to bear resources in USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration.

Wheat produced using biotechnology is not in commercial production anywhere in the world. However, wheat growers support the use of biotechnology as a tool to help farmers achieve better yields and improved crop quality while reducing inputs.

Additional comments were submitted to the Science and Technology office by the National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research (NC-FAR), of which NAWG is a member. Those comments said the food and agricultural sciences are building blocks of the bio-based economy and urged a high priority on federal funding for food and agricultural research, which has stagnated for at least two decades.

The full comments submitted this week and more about NAWG’s work toward wheat biotechnology is at www.wheatworld.org/biotech.

NAWG President Wayne Hurst, a wheat farmer from Burley, Idaho, traveled to Washington for the meeting and other legislative visits.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson led the meeting on Wednesday, with more than a dozen agriculture stakeholder groups sending representatives.

The attendees heard comments from Vilsack and Jackson about their working relationship and continued efforts to ensure EPA is improving its outreach with the agriculture community. Each stakeholder also had the opportunity to make comments and ask questions.

While in town, Hurst and NAWG staff members also held meetings on Capitol Hill, primarily focusing on the likely trajectory of the 2012 Farm Bill process. In those meetings, Hurst described NAWG’s policy-making process and expressed farmers’ desire to balance serious deficit reduction efforts with crafting a workable safety net.

Following failure of an earlier effort to write farm policy provisions into a super committee deficit reduction product, it seems the 2012 Bill will be written in regular order, with hearings beginning again in 2012. Still, the chances of success in what is expected to be a very partisan election year are questionable.

Hurst and NAWG staff also met with Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Daniel Elliott to learn about the Board’s priorities.

To hear an audio update from Hurst on his take-aways from the meetings, visit http://www.wheatworld.org/podcasts/2011/12/hurst-talks-mid-december-d-c-visit/.

In his first Congressional testimony on the matter, Corzine said he, too, has questions about what happened at the company and without records and documents he no longer has access to, he can’t provide much help to investigators.

Corzine appeared at the hearing under a subpoena, the first of three issued so far by Congressional committees.

In his opening statement, he accepted responsibility for trades involving European sovereign debt, saying he “strongly advocated” the strategy. He also said, however, that MF Global’s board members were “independent and sophisticated” and while he ultimately had overall responsibility for the firm, he didn’t have day-to-day oversight and is not an expert on all relevant regulations.

Witnesses from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the law firm working with the bankruptcy trustee also testified before the Committee Thursday, shedding some light on the situation as investigators currently understand it.

James Kobak, lead counsel for the bankruptcy trustee, said the shortfall could be as “as much as $1.2 billion or more,” and the trustee is focused on determining how much money is missing, where it went and how to get it back.

Though he said no one will know exactly how much money is owed to customers until the claims process is complete in about seven weeks, based on what is known now, those who don’t have their funds back in hand could expect to receive an estimated 69-70 percent.

When questioned about the priority customers will have in getting back their money, as compared with other debt holders, Kobak said customers have an “exclusive right” to their funds and that the trustee would pursue other sources of funds if they are available legally.

Both Kobak and CFTC Commissioner Jill Sommers emphasized how complicated MF Global’s trades and records were, noting that the investigation is not yet able to draw many definitive conclusions.

Earlier in the week, the CFTC approved a new rule about how commodity firms can use customer funds, which has been generally praised though its full impact is not yet clear.

MF Global, a derivatives broker-dealer, declared bankruptcy on Oct. 31. Since that time, federal and international investigators have been working through the company’s records to determine what precipitated its failure and to locate the missing customer money.

The bankruptcy and lost money has touched farmers, grain handlers and others throughout the country, with nearly every Member on the House Ag panel saying he or she had heard from affected constituents.

In addition to the customer losses, which may or may not ever be recovered, the bankruptcy has threatened systemic confidence in the futures market, which is the key tool for agricultural interests seeking to manage their risk.

The Senate Agriculture Committee announced this week a witness list for its MF Global oversight hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 13. That panel unanimously voted to subpoena Corzine to appear at the session alongside other executives of the company, regulators and MF Global customers.

The House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has also subpoenaed Corzine, for a Dec. 15 hearing.

NAWG and other farmer and ag finance organizations recently wrote Congressional agriculture leaders urging careful oversight of the situation. Those letters are available at www.wheatworld.org/othercorrespondence.

The USWBSI meeting was the National Fusarium Head Blight Forum, which is held each year to allow scientists working on Fusarium head blight, commonly known as scab, to share their findings.

Meeting activities included a poster session and presentations about the progress being made on research to combat scab infection and DON, the mycotoxin scab causes.

Scientists and stakeholders in attendance were particularly excited about discussions relating to new techniques they are using for genomic selection for Fusarium head blight resistance.

There was also increased interest in producing and releasing scab-resistant varieties for the hard red winter wheat region. Fusarium head blight infections have not traditionally been a top concern for hard red winter areas, but are increasingly an annual problem.

The USWBSI meetings were followed by the first meeting of the newly-restructured National Wheat Improvement Committee (NWIC).

NWIC recently reorganized to include an executive committee and regional representatives from each wheat region and class, as well as ex officio members and formal subcommittees. Grower representatives attending the NWIC meeting included Mike Miller from Washington, Jody Bellah from Texas and Bob Wisness from North Dakota.

NWIC members heard reports from the group’s four regional chairs focusing on state budget shortfalls and the net loss of researcher positions facing most state and federal programs. Many members from around the country expressed particular concern about the loss of funding for the Wheat Genetic and Genomic Resources Center at Kansas State University.

Dave Marshall, the acting national program leader for grain crops at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), gave the group an update on ARS’ budget situation. He told NWIC members about the dramatic implications the budget cuts will have to ARS staffing, including a continued hiring freeze that makes it impossible to bring in new or needed researchers. ARS has taken deep cuts in recent years and, based on its FY2012 budget allocation, will be closing nine locations and one program entirely.

Despite these very real concerns, NWIC members also had positive discussions about the renewed interest in wheat research in recent years. Six private companies sent representatives to the meeting to give updates on their work. And, NWIC members began planning for the group’s annual fly-in to educate federal stakeholders about the importance of wheat research.

NAWG Director of Government Affairs for Research and Technology Jane DeMarchi attended both meetings. DeMarchi is the secretariat for NWIC and a member of the USWBSI steering committee.

Art Brandli, a wheat farmer from Minnesota, and Dr. Dave Van Sanford, the wheat breeder at the University of Kentucky, are the co-chairs of the USWBSI. More about the USWBSI is available at http://www.scabusa.org.

An organizational chart for the new NWIC structure is at www.wheatworld.org/research under “Related Resources”.

In letters to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk sent Monday, the groups said Japan’s joining the negotiations would make an eventual TPP agreement more significant and strengthen the support of stakeholders.

Japan is one of the largest buyers of U.S. agricultural products despite extensive and complicated import barriers for food products, which could prove problematic to its inclusion in the talks.

“We understand that there are important issues to be tackled before any final decision can be made with respect to Japan’s participation, not the least of which is to gain assurances from Japan that it recognizes and accepts that the TPP must be a comprehensive agreement,” the groups said.

“We believe the Japanese government is beginning to undertake the necessary changes to domestic programs that will permit it to negotiate on that basis.”

Ag exports to Japan from the U.S. in 2010 were worth nearly $12 billion. Japan is routinely the largest buyer of U.S. wheat, purchasing up to 10 percent of U.S. wheat exports worth an estimated $1 billion in marketing year 2010/2011.

The groups writing included most major commodity groups and their affiliated export market development organizations; many producers and processors of fruit and meat products; and major food companies like Kraft.

While keenly aware of the current and growing value of Asian markets, led by China and Japan, the groups are also cognizant that there is a flurry of trade negotiations going on without U.S. participation. It is likely Japan will begin negotiating a trade agreement with the European Union in 2012, making a successful TPP including the country all the more important for U.S. exporters.

NAWG and USW support a comprehensive TPP agreement that provides improved market access and includes ambitious language on modern trade issues. The organizations also support Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia joining the talks.

On a related note, the House Ways and Means Committee’s trade subcommittee announced this week it will hold a hearing on the TPP negotiations Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.

More about the TPP negotiations is at http://www.ustr.gov/tpp. The full letters sent this week are available online at www.wheatworld.org/trade.

The ag community is supporting a Dear Colleague letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), originally circulated by Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

The letter outlines the urgent need for action on the legislation, which was approved by the House in March and the Senate Agriculture Committee in June, both on a bipartisan basis.

The legislation would clarify Congressional intent with regard to new permitting requirements for pesticide applications under the Clean Water Act (CWA), which went into effect at the end of October.

A January 2009 Sixth Circuit Court ruling said for the first time that pesticide applications can be a point source of pollution under CWA, meaning they would require a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit in addition to compliance with extensive regulations under Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

Many state regulators remain unprepared to implement the decision, and a “pesticide general permit” recently issued but the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) only covers aquatic applications. This means wheat and other farmers whose applications may possibly interact with a regulated body of water are not even eligible to apply for it.

NAWG and other agricultural groups are very concerned that this general lack of legal clarity could mean farmers inadvertently become subject to citizen suits and other legal actions if they don’t secure new permits but are following all other applicable laws and product labels.

Ag groups and legislators on both sides of the aisle are also concerned about the logistical burden of issuing the millions of permits that are likely needed under the new requirements in a time of reduced budgets across the board.

NAWG has urged all wheat-state Senators to sign on to this week’s Dear Colleague, and NAWG staff is working with coalition partners to pen an agriculture community letter to bolster the Senators’ efforts.

Much more about the NPDES permitting issue is available on NAWG’s website at www.wheatworld.org/environmentalregulation.

MF Global, a derivatives broker-dealer, declared bankruptcy on Oct. 31. Since that time, federal and international investigators have been searching for as much as $1.2 billion in lost customer money.

While no individual has been charged with wrongdoing in the case, it is widely suspected the company broke industry norms by combining customer and company money – making information about what money is available and what is seemingly lost very challenging for investigators to ascertain.

The 19 groups writing this week, including NAWG, described two goals to Ag Committee leaders: pursing all possible actions to ensure assets of MF Global customers are returned quickly – and ensuring a similar situation never happens again.

“Producers and agribusiness firms that rely on exchange-trading to facilitate risk management, as well as the lending institutions that support them, have had their confidence shaken in recent days,” the groups told Ag Committee Members.

“We have always believed that the risk to customer funds when trading on-exchange was virtually zero. Now, we see that is not the case.”

The groups described effects of the bankruptcy, including customers having trouble accessing funds, knowing how much funds are in their accounts and having accounts transferred to other institutions. Many customers have significant amounts of cash that is accounted but is tied up in the bankruptcy process.

The groups strongly asserted that customers’ commodity segregated funds receive highest priority in the hierarchy of claims as the bankruptcy proceeds.

The groups writing also focused on the confidence issues created by the bankruptcy, which is expected to be the eighth largest in U.S. history.

The U.S. agricultural sector relies heavily on regulated exchanges for risk management, and all lenders involved must have confidence the system will work to keep the market up and running. The coalition writing this week called for broad Congressional review of the protections in the system to help restore the lost confidence.

At a hearing Thursday, Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee focused many of their comments on the MF Global bankruptcy, and they will review the situation further at another hearing set for Dec. 13, at which former Sen. Jon Corzine, the former head of MF Global, has been called to testify.

The House Agriculture Committee has scheduled a hearing on the situation for Thursday, Dec. 8.

Both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees have jurisdiction over the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which is involved in the investigation of MF Global’s final dealings.

While this sometimes seems to be an odd division of responsibilities for agriculture leaders, they have historically retained these oversight responsibilities because of the potential impact futures markets can have on farmers and the farm economy.

The full letter sent this week is available at www.wheatworld.org/othercorrespondence.

Members of the America’s Heartland Advisory Board met in Washington, D.C., this week to get updated on and provide feedback about the show’s new season, which began airing in September.

The show runs on PBS stations around the country and RFD-TV. To date, about half of the season’s episodes have aired, though each PBS station independently decides when to start and end a show’s season on its channels.

Producers told Advisory Board members this week that the 150 episodes that make up seasons one through seven encompass 800 stories of approximately 700 farm families. Over the years, the show has visited every state – many over and over – and done multiple segments on practically any commodity or food imaginable.

The show’s TV presence is supplemented by robust online offerings, including a website that hosts every Heartland segment and episode; a YouTube channel viewed more than 3 million times; active Facebook and Twitter feeds; and a blog and e-newsletter to keep fans up to date.

At the meeting this week, Advisory Board members heard updates on the show’s carriage and new media strategy and about promotional activities undertaken by show sponsors Farm Credit, the American Farm Bureau Foundation and the United Soybean Board.

Outside speakers included Jose Fernandez, the assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs, and Tad Segal, communications director for agriculture coalition AGree.

The Advisory Board meets twice a year, along with a smaller group of farm organizations that serve as promotional partners for the show. NAWG is part of both bodies, and NAWG Director of Communications Melissa George Kessler attended the meetings this week on growers’ behalf.

Much more from America’s Heartland is available online at www.americasheartland.org.

NAWG’s leadership and staff wish all readers a peaceful and safe holiday filled with the abundance American farmers provide us all.

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Super Committee Folds, Ending Attempt at Farm Bill Rewrite

Leaders of the debt-deficit super committee said Monday their panel has failed to agree to more than $1 t

rillion in deficit reduction measures and would not be making a recommendation to Congress. This means the efforts to craft a farm policy proposal to be included in a super committee recommendation have also ceased, confirmed by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) on Monday afternoon.

Under the law passed this summer to raise the debt ceiling and establish the super committee, its failure will trigger automatic cuts through a process known as sequestration. Cuts will begin in early 2013 and take an estimated 8 percent from federal budgets, with a significant portion coming from defense spending and none coming from a still-undetermined list of programs. President Barack Obama said Monday he would veto any attempt to reduce the planned cuts or exempt additional programs or departments, like the Department of Defense.

A regular order rewrite of the 2008 Farm Bill, which expires Sept. 30, 2012, will likely begin late this year or early next, though the process remains unclear and will likely depend in part on the effects of sequestration-required cuts to farm bill programs.

Minibus Incorporating FY2012 Ag Funding Finalized

A “minibus” appropriations bill incorporating FY2012 agriculture program spending was finalized and signed into law late last week. The Senate voted 70 to 30 late Thursday to approve the measure, which also included funding for transportation, housing, commerce, science and justice programs as well as a continuing resolution for other programs until Dec. 16. President Barack Obama signed the bill Friday. A summary of relevant agriculture allocations was available in last week’s newsletter or at http://www.wheatworld.org/news-events/2011/11/conference-report-passes-house-with-ag-approps-short-term-cr/.

Biotech Sugarbeet Comment Period Open Until Dec. 13

USDA is accepting comments on a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for biotech sugarbeets until Dec. 13. The biotech crop, known commercially as Genuity Roundup Ready Sugarbeets and scientifically as Glyphosate-Tolerant H7-1 sugar beets, was first deregulated in 2005. USDA has undertaken the EIS in response to an August 2010 court ruling banning the planting and sale of the crop on administrative grounds. Farmers were allowed to plant the crop this year with certain restrictions and pending USDA’s current review. NAWG supports full deregulation of the crop to allow farmers choice and certainty in their planting decisions. More information about this issue and instructions for commenting are at www.supportsugarbeets.com.

Gaede Talks Biotech at Adaptation Workshop

NAWG Director of Government Affairs for Environmental Policy Mark Gaede emphasized the importance of wheat biotechnology at an agriculture and adaptation workshop held last Friday. The event was sponsored by USDA, the Bipartisan Policy Center and Farmers Feeding the World. Gaede spoke on a panel focusing on farming and food security in the face of increasing production challenges. He emphasized the wheat industry’s support for biotechnology to help wheat farmers continue to increase yields while using fewer resources and facing unpredictable weather events.

Hexima Announces Licensing Agreement with Monsanto

Hexima Limited announced Tuesday it has signed a research license and commercial agreement with Monsanto related to its anti-fungal protein technology in wheat. The company said the research is still “early” but shows potential for helping wheat growers combat fungal disease, which is a major source of yield loss for major food crops. Financial details were not disclosed. The full announcement is at http://www.hexima.com.au/pdf_files/announcements/Monsanto-Wheat_1111.pdf.

Thanksgiving Costs Up 13 Percent; Still Less Than $5 Per Person

The retail cost of menu items for a classic Thanksgiving dinner increased about 13 percent this year, according to an annual, informal survey done by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The organization’s annual price survey found the average cost of this year’s feast for 10 at $49.20, a $5.73 price increase from last year’s average of $43.47. While the dinner of eight dishes has gone up, the total price is still less than $5 per person served – a testament to the affordability of food in the United States. More information about the survey and some recipes for Thanksgiving classics are at http://www.fb.org/index.php?action=newsroom.news&year=2011&file=nr1110.html.

Hurst to Be Featured on AgDay’s “Harvest of Thanks”

NAWG President Wayne Hurst, who farms with his family in Idaho, will be featured with other growers in this week’s “Harvest of Thanks” segments on AgDay and the U.S. Farm Report. The special presentation will air on Thursday’s edition of AgDay and as part of the U.S. Farm Report on Saturday and Sunday. Both shows air on RFD-TV. A list of stations airing AgDay is at http://www.agweb.com/agday/agday_stations.aspx. A list of stations airing the U.S. Farm Report is at http://www.agweb.com/usfr/stations.aspx.