Both chambers of Congress were out of session this week, offering a short spring lull in Washington, D.C. Here’s a short but timely update on
policy happenings of interest to wheat growers.

The federal government will be funded until April 8 under a new continuing resolution finalized this week.

The importance of agriculture research to feeding an exploding global population and keeping the U.S. economy strong was highlighted this week in Washington in a new paper released on ag research return-on-investment and as part of FY2012 budget discussions.

More leaders on Capitol Hill said this week they want to see three long-pending free trade agreements move simultaneously, while an Administration official indicated intense discussions to address the Administration’s concerns with the Colombia agreement are underway.

The House Agriculture Committee approved by a voice vote on Wednesday a bill that would prevent the need for additional permitting prior to pesticide applications.

The Obama Administration told Congress this week that the long-pending free trade agreement with South Korea is nearly ready to go, but key Senators want similar agreements with Colombia and Panama to move at the same time.

Idaho wheat producer Wayne Hurst was elected and installed as NAWG’s president at the organization’s Board of Directors meeting held Saturday.

The Friends of America’s Heartland group announced this week that Indiana egg farmer Bob Krouse has pledged a matching donation of up to $25,000 to the effort, which is seeking to raise awareness and funds for the nationally-broadcast public TV program about American agriculture, America’s Heartland.