After a hectic beginning to the farm bill process in Washington, NAWG staff members are preparing to join their families and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday. Note that NAWG’s offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24, and Friday, Nov. 25, in observance of the holiday.

The House of Representatives passed Thursday afternoon by a 298 to 121 vote the conference report of a spending bill incorporating FY2012 agriculture program funding and a four-week continuing resolution to fund much of the rest of the federal government.

Japan said late last week it intends to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations, which could be a boon to the U.S. wheat and agricultural industries.

Negotiations on a farm policy proposal for the debt-deficit super committee reached the eleventh hour this week, as Members worked to find a combination of programs that could help protect farm risk across the country.

Intense negotiations continued in Washington, D.C., this week as Congressional leaders and farm policy stakeholders try to find a way to cut $23 billion from ag programs while maintaining a workable safety net for producers across the country.

NAWG and other farm groups told Congressional leaders this week that LightSquared’s planned use of the electromagnetic spectrum for a new wireless broadband system would disrupt GPS systems even if filters are created to lessen interference.

Grower-leaders of NAWG and U.S. Wheat Associates emphasized the necessity of a strong farm safety net and ambitious trade policy for successful farm businesses at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters’ convention this week in Kansas City, Mo.

Most of NAWG’s staff and grower-leadership was in Scottsdale, Ariz., this week for the 2011 Fall Wheat Conference. In light of this, we are offering only this short update today; full news updates will return next week.