Washington, D.C. (August 30, 2017) – On August 28th and 29th, NAWG President David Schemm and CEO Chandler Goule visited wheat farmers in Bismarck, ND, Pierre, SD, and Mitchell, SD to learn more about how the drought is impacting growers. As part of the trip, NAWG met with the North Dakota Grain Growers Association’s Board of Directors and discussed the current drought conditions for North Dakota farmers. NAWG then sat on a drought panel, discussing the importance of crop insurance and other Farm Bill priorities, during the South Dakota Wheat Inc. and South Dakota Wheat Commission Joint Board meeting.
“The ongoing drought in the Upper Plains is a real-time example of why wheat farmers need a strong safety net program in place,” stated NAWG President and Sharon Springs farmer David Schemm. “Congress needs to realize that this drought is not only affecting wheat growers but the entire wheat value chain, impacting the agriculture industry.”
“Witnessing first-hand the current state of the wheat industry in North and South Dakota really put into perspective the need for quick reauthorization of the Farm Bill,” stated Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers. “Wheat growers in the Dakotas are truly struggling but with such programs as federal crop insurance, growers are able stay in business and continue to plant their next wheat crop.”