Most lawmakers are headed home for the winter holidays after finalizing funding for the federal government through September.

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.

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.

Congressional committees held two more hearings on the MF Global bankruptcy this week, asking more than a day and a half of questions but finding few answers – and none of the missing customer money.

NAWG and coalition partners submitted comments this week supporting full deregulation of biotech sugar beets and urging continued evolution of the regulatory process to address the court challenges that crop has faced.

NAWG and other agricultural groups met with USDA and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials this week to continue building bridges between the two agencies and the agricultural community.

Former MF Global chief executive Jon Corzine told Members of the House Agriculture Committee on Thursday he does not know where missing customer money from his company is, and he does not have more information about how much is missing than what anyone can read in the press.

Two important wheat research organizations – the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI) and the National Wheat Improvement Committee – held their annual meetings this week in St. Louis.

NAWG, U.S. Wheat Associates and 60 other major agricultural and food organizations wrote Obama Administration officials this week urging them to “smooth the way” for Japan to become part of ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade talks.

NAWG and other agricultural groups have been hitting Capitol Hill this week urging Senators to offer their formal support for that chamber’s consideration of H.R. 872 before year’s end.

A coalition of farmer and ag finance organizations wrote leaders of the Congressional Agriculture Committees this week urging their careful oversight of the MF Global bankruptcy, which they said has “deeply affected” many farmers and grain merchandisers.

America’s Heartland – the only national TV show about American agriculture – is nearing its 150th episode, the capstone of its seventh season on the air.