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NAWG and USW Congratulate Brooke Rollins on Secretary of Agriculture Nomination

ARLINGTON, Virginia — The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) released the following statements in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Brooke Rollins to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Congratulations to Brooke Rollins on her nomination to serve as our next Secretary of Agriculture. NAWG members look forward to working together to foster public policy initiatives that will help wheat growers and rural communities thrive,” said Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

USW Quote “As the wheat industry’s export market development organization, U.S. Wheat Associates looks forward to working with Secretary-Designate Rollins and the President-Elect’s administration on issues related to fair global trade and market access,” said U.S. Wheat Associates President and CEO Vince Peterson. “We welcome a renewed partnership with her and USDA to support U.S. agriculture and the farmers we represent in the world wheat market.”

About USW

USW’s mission is to develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers in more than 100 countries. Its activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

About NAWG

NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials and the public. 

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Another Welcome Check on India’s Wheat and Rice Subsidies From USTR

ARLINGTON, Virginia – U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) today praised the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for submitting a counter-notification to the World Trade Organization (WTO) on India’s domestic support, input subsidies, and market support prices for wheat and rice.

This is the latest in a series of U.S. counter-notifications showing India is not transparent about the true level of wheat and rice support it provides. Joining the United States in this notification were the governments of Argentina, Australia, Canada, and Ukraine.

“We appreciate that the USTR and other country delegations are working to highlight India’s trade-distorting wheat support,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “India’s government continues to be out of compliance on its commitments and its refusal to compromise on its level of support and public stockholding is blocking any progress on agricultural negotiations at the WTO. It is important to keep bringing this issue to light with hope that it will eventually pressure India to become a responsible trading partner.”

“Thank you to the USTR for their continued efforts to push India to follow through and come into compliance with their WTO commitments,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “Farmers in the United States understand the importance of supporting producers when needed. However, India’s approach is the wrong way to do it, and it is important that they follow through on their commitments.”

Support Schemes

India’s wheat support schemes incentivize overproduction and discourage farmers from growing other crops. This has led to massive public stocks of wheat that the Indian government has at times dumped onto international markets. The disruption it causes harms farmers in exporting countries and their customers who benefit from stable markets.

Under its WTO commitments, India may provide subsidies equal to no more than 10% of the total value of crop production. In marketing years 2021/22 and 2022/23 covered in the counter-notification, the United States and other countries demonstrate through India’s own data that its support level far exceeds that limit.

USW and NAWG are committed to working with USTR and other government officials to address these challenges and to ensure that U.S. wheat farmers have a fair chance to compete in the global marketplace.

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About U.S. Wheat Associates. USW’s mission is to develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers in more than 100 countries. Its activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit our website at www.uswheat.org.

About the National Association of Wheat Growers. NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry, and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices in the Wheat Growers Building on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials, and the public.

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Wheat Groups Welcome New Funding for Food Assistance

ARLINGTON, Virginia — (April 18, 2024) –

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are pleased that U.S. wheat farmers can help increase global food assistance under a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding program announced today.

USDA and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will invest $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funding to provide for the purchase, shipment and distribution of U.S. wheat and other commodities for USAID international food assistance programming.

“American wheat farmers are proud to step up to the plate to provide critical food resources to address global needs,” Oklahoma wheat farmer and USW Chairman Michael Peters said. “This funding will provide wheat and other commodities to address food insecurity. These additional resources will help the U.S. wheat industry, and U.S. agriculture, continue to be a reliable source of food for the world.”

USW and NAWG thank Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for releasing the new funds that will directly benefit U.S. wheat farmers and people affected by hunger in several countries. Additionally, the organizations thank Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Boozman (R-AR) for a letter they sent to Vilsack this past fall formally requesting additional support for food assistance.

U.S. wheat farmers have been partners in U.S. food assistance programs for more than 70 years and take pride in sharing their harvest to address critical hunger needs. Through the USDA’s Food for Progress and USAID Food for Peace programs, the American people have donated more than one million metric tons of wheat annually for the past three years.

“Additional funding for food assistance programs will help address the most urgent humanitarian needs in a generation. USW and NAWG look forward to working with USDA and other partners to ensure additional food donations generate the significant benefits where they are needed,” said NAWG President Keeff Felty. “As NAWG works with Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill, we continue to advocate for strengthening the in-kind commodity donation program and additional investments in the existing trade promotion programs.”

Members of the USW and NAWG Food Aid Working Group are proud of the wheat provided through these food aid programs and believe that commodity donation is an effective portion of the whole effort.

“Wheat makes up the largest portion of emergency food assistance managed by USAID’s Food for Peace office,” said Amanda Hoey, Chief Executive Officer, Oregon Wheat Commission and Chair of the USW Food Aid Working Group. “It is a natural demonstration of the generosity of U.S. farmers and their ability to produce an abundance of commodities that can be shared around the world.”

For more information about food security and assistance, visit the USW website here, and the NAWG website here.

 

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Wheat Organizations Welcome Reopening of Border Rail Crossings

ARLINGTON, Virginia — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are pleased that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency reopened rail crossings in El Paso and Eagle Point today.

These rail corridors are essential gateways to many loyal flour millers and their wheat food customers in Mexico who rely on the interconnected U.S. and Mexican rail system for a reliable source of high-quality U.S. wheat. Even short disruptions in this system can have significant negative effects on both sides of the border.

We trust CBP will take the steps needed to avoid rail closures in the future, and we are grateful for their efforts to maintain border security and facilitate lawful trade.

 

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Closed Rail Crossings on the Mexican Border Put Crucial Wheat Exports at Risk

ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) have joined several other U.S. agricultural organizations in signing a letter encouraging U.S. Customs and Border Protection to reopen rail crossings in El Paso and Eagle Point for trade as quickly as possible.

Given the huge volume of U.S. wheat sales that move directly to Mexican customers by rail, the sudden decision on December 17 to close these two crucial rail crossings on the border has the potential to be a major disruption in this important trade relationship.

Mexico is historically the top export market for U.S. wheat with average annual commercial sales of almost 132 million bushels. A substantial volume of U.S. wheat is shipped by rail every year and it is estimated that at least 13 million bushels of wheat, valued at more than $114 million, per year moves through the rail corridors at the El Paso and Eagle Pass crossings that are now closed.

Mexican customers use rail to import U.S. wheat from as far away as the Northern Plains and loaded trains are currently waiting to move. This unexpected disruption puts those sales at risk, as well as the positive trading relationship our industry has built over decades as a reliable supplier of high-quality U.S. wheat to Mexican flour millers and their commercial bakery customers.

Like the other national agricultural organizations signing the industry letter, USW and NAWG understand the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency have significant challenges given the situation at the border, but a supply chain crisis in Mexico can, and should be, avoided by safely reopening the international crossings.

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Wheat Groups Welcome New Funding for Food Assistance and Export Market Development

ARLINGTON, VA — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are pleased that U.S. wheat growers now have the opportunity to increase global food assistance and expand export market access under new USDA funding programs announced Oct. 24, 2023. USW and NAWG thank Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for releasing the new funds that will directly benefit U.S. wheat farmers and their overseas customers. Additionally, we thank Senators Stabenow (D-MI) and Boozman (R-AR) for their August 28 letter to Secretary Vilsack formally requesting additional support for trade promotion and food assistance.

Food Assistance

U.S. wheat farmers have been partners in U.S. food assistance programs for more than 60 years and take pride in sharing their harvest to address critical hunger needs around the world. Through the USDA’s Food for Progress and USAID Food for Peace programs, the American people have donated more than one million metric tons of wheat annually for the past three years.

“Additional funding for food assistance programs will help address the most urgent humanitarian needs in a generation. USW and NAWG look forward to working with USDA and other partners to ensure additional food donations generate the most benefit where it is needed most,” said NAWG President Brent Cheyne. “As NAWG works with Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill, we continue to advocate for strengthening the in-kind commodity donation program and additional investments in the existing trade promotion programs.”

Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) addresses the media while holding a U.S. Food Aid sack with and Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) during a press conference announcing the introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act 2023.

Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) addresses the media with Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) during a press conference announcing the introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023.

Export Market Development

Organizations like USW that participate in USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) export market development programs were very encouraged when the Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) program was established in 2019 as part of a program to ease the effects of trade retaliation against U.S. farmers and exporters. Those funds originated from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and FAS awarded grants to almost 60 cooperating organizations to be invested by 2024.

“USW demonstrated that the additional funding helped us protect crucial wheat export sales in established markets and build a base for growth in new markets,” said USW Chairman and Oklahoma wheat farmer Michael Peters. “We appreciate the introduction of the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP), and the USW team will work very hard to use it effectively. Looking ahead, global wheat trade is increasingly competitive and market development takes time and consistency. That’s why we believe that in the long-term, increases for established Farm Bill export development programs are the best way forward.”

Detailed information about USDA FAS export market development programs and funding is available at www.AgExportsCount.com.

All across its supply chain, U.S. wheat depends on the successful public-private partnership between USW’s state wheat commission members and USDA FAS export market development programs. Checkoff contributions qualify USW to apply for matching funds through programs like the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program.

Under U.S. farm legislation, Congress apportions funding for MAP, FMD and other export programs. Annual funding for MAP has not changed from $200 million since 2006 and annual FMD funding of $34.5 million has not changed since 2002, yet other countries have significantly ramped up their export promotion spending.

“Study after study has shown that these programs consistently meet their purpose to boost agricultural export volume and revenue while supporting the entire U.S. economy, and the benefits grow with additional funding,” Peters said.

For more information about the benefits of FAS export market development programs visit www.AgExportsCount.com.

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USW, NAWG Applaud Senate Introduction of American Farmers Feed the World Act

ARLINGTON, Virginia — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) today thank Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT), Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) for introduction of the American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 in the U.S. Senate. The bi-partisan legislation would restore the original intent of the Food for Peace program without spending additional Farm Bill resources, while also safeguarding the interests of hard-working American farmers in providing food to those in need around the world.

USW and NAWG have joined the broader agriculture industry in backing the legislation, seeing it as an effort to use U.S.-grown commodities to fight global hunger rather than spending American taxpayers’ dollars to purchase food from competitors of the U.S. wheat industry.

“It is exciting to see the Senate join the House in supporting the role of U.S. farmers in the Farm Bill’s international food aid programs,” said USW Director of Trade policy Peter Laudeman. “The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 offers an important rebalancing to ensure that Food for Peace remains focused on effectively delivering as much American-grown food to as many people in need as possible. We certainly want to offer a huge thank you to Senator Braun, Senator Tester, Senator Marshall, and Senator Rickets for championing this important bill.”

USW Board Member and Montana wheat farmer Denise Conover said using U.S. wheat to feed those in need across the world is a story that resonates strongly with every farmer.

“As a Montana wheat farmer, I am incredibly proud of the role my farm plays in supporting international food aid programs,” said Conover. “I am pleased to see Senator Tester leading this important bill to ensure that American farmers continue to play this vital role in the Food for Peace program, feeding more Montana wheat to more hungry people at no additional taxpayer cost.”

The American Farmers Feed the World Act empowers American wheat farmers to share their harvest and contribute to the global battle against hunger, Brent Cheyne, President of NAWG and a wheat farmer from Oregon, said.

“Wheat, a vital staple grain accounting for approximately 20 percent of global calorie consumption, receives its highest quality from U.S. wheat farmers, making it an essential resource in nourishing the world,” Cheyne added. “We’ve observed a shift away from utilizing American commodities in food aid programs over the years, which has resulted in diminished transparency, accountability, and bipartisan backing. As Congress considers reauthorizing the Farm Bill later this year, this legislation provides an opportunity to revitalize the role of American agriculture in addressing global hunger.”

Brian Linin, a Goodland, Kansas, wheat farmer who also serves on the USW Board and the USW/NAWG Food Aid Working Group Committee, said wheat farmers in Kansas and across the country have a long history of supporting international food aid.

“Our nation, and those in need, benefit most directly and transparently from receiving American commodities instead of cash and vouchers,” Linin said.

The American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 was introduced in the U.S. House on June 22. USW and NAWG have worked with a coalition of other agriculture groups to advance this legislation through the upcoming new Farm Bill.

 

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CP-KCS Merger Approval Disappoints National Wheat Organizations

ARLINGTON, Virginia — U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are disappointed that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved Canadian Pacific Railway’s merger with Kansas City Southern Railroad.

In public comments submitted to the STB on the proposed merger in February 2022, USW said the market power held by the Class I railroads has serious implications for U.S. wheat’s competitiveness compared to other major exporters. NAWG shared similar public comments with the STB in February 2022, which outlined how reliant wheat is on rail and how decreased rail-to-rail competition hurts shippers and growers alike.. Now, this merger takes the U.S. rail system from seven to six Class 1 railroads.

USW and NAWG believe the STB has given a greenlight to rail consolation without regard for the consequences on agricultural shippers from lack of competition in the U.S. rail sector.

“U.S. rail industry consolidation has led to poorer, not improved, service for agricultural shippers,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “In addition, we see extreme disparity in rates for wheat shippers. Rail rates over the last decade have increased exponentially and rates for wheat are higher than rates for other commodities even with similar handling characteristics. Those higher rates make U.S. wheat less competitive in the global market at a time when higher prices already hurt our competitiveness.”

“NAWG is disappointed by today’s STB announcement and maintains our concerns that the merger of CP and KCS will impede competition in the rail market and increase rail rates,” said NAWG CEO, Chandler Goule. “With 50 percent of wheat being exported, wheat is heavily reliant on rail transportation to move across the United States. Since the merger was announced in 2021, NAWG has filed four public comments with the STB opposing the merger, citing a myriad of concerns on the impact to competition, unfair access to competing wheat producing countries, and changes to tariff provisions that could impact wheat farmers.”

USW and NAWG believe the STB must conduct more rigorous oversight of rail rates and service issues going forward. The STB should also aggressively pursue policies designed to inject competition such as reciprocal switching – a proposal that the STB ironically shelved last year because Class 1 rail service was severely challenged for agricultural shippers.

USW and NAWG continue to review the conditions the STB included in the merger agreement that are intended to protect competition and mitigate impacts on communities. We look forward to working with both the new CP-KCS railroad and the STB on addressing the disparities wheat shippers face going forward.

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About USW

The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers.” USW activities in more than 100 countries are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. USW maintains 15 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six U.S. wheat classes. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

About NAWG

NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials and the public.

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Wheat Growers Encourage Additional MAP and FMD Funding

Washington, D.C. (February 16, 2023) – As Congress gears up for Farm Bill reauthorization, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) are announcing advocacy tools and resources to engage with their legislators on the Expanding Agricultural Exports Act (S. 176) and Agriculture Export Promotion Act (H.R. 648), which the wheat industry welcomed. Because half of the wheat grown in the United States is exported, wheat growers have a deep understanding of the importance of trade and market development.

Earlier this month, lawmakers introduced this bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would strengthen the effectiveness of the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development program (FMD). MAP’s authorized funding has not changed since 2006 and FMD funding has remained the same since 2002, so inflation and sequestration have significantly eroded the ability to compete with other countries who are steadily investing more in their agricultural export promotion efforts.

Double Funding

If enacted, this legislation would double funding for these agricultural export market development programs administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). The Expanding Agricultural Exports Act was originally introduced by Senators Angus King (ME), Tina Smith (MN), Joni Ernst (IA), Chuck Grassley (IA) and Susan Collins (ME). The Agriculture Export Promotion Act was originally introduced by Representatives Dan Newhouse (WA), Jim Costa (CA), Tracey Mann (KS), Kim Schrier (WA), Ashley Hinson (IA), Jimmy Panetta (CA), Brad Finstad (MN) and Chellie Pingree (ME).

The wheat industry applauds Congress’s efforts to invest in these crucial programs. To highlight the importance of enacting this legislation, NAWG launched a grassroots campaign to help wheat growers encourage their Members of Congress to support these legislative efforts and have them included as part of the 2023 Farm Bill. Individuals can click here to participate in our grassroots advocacy campaign. Wheat growers are strongly encouraged to participate in the campaign to let their Members of Congress know how vital supporting these marker bills are to advancing agricultural exports.

Grateful to NAWG

“We are grateful for the work being done in Congress to lay the foundation for a strong 2023 Farm Bill that invests in programs that promote U.S. wheat and other agricultural products,” said NAWG President and Washington wheat farmer, Nicole Berg. “However, even with these marker bills that invest in the MAP and FMD program, we still have a long way to go in educating Members of Congress on why these resources are needed. We need wheat growers to help spread the word and tell the story of why this programmatic investment is necessary and how it would help grow our national economy. The campaign makes it easy for growers to contact their legislators, which truly makes a difference in how these decisions are made and votes are cast. I hope all growers participate, so our voices are heard loud and clear on Capitol Hill.”

“Our organization wants to thank our friends at NAWG for focusing on the need to increase MAP and FMD funding in the next farm bill,” said Rhonda K. Larson, USW Chair and a wheat farmer from East Grand Forks, Minn. “Studies have shown that the return on investment from MAP, FMD is very strong – but our activities overseas and impact are limited today by the erosion of these resources over time.”

A recent econometric study conducted by agricultural economists at IHS Market and Texas A&M University predicted that doubling funding for these programs would generate an additional $44.4 billion in U.S. agricultural exports over the 2024 to 2029 time period. This would directly benefit farmers, livestock producers, dairy operators and small businesses as they work to maintain and expand their global presence. Read more at www.AgExportsCount.org.

The Agriculture Export Promotion Act must now be considered by the Senate Agriculture Committee and House Agriculture Committee.

Wheat growers can participate in the campaign on the NAWG website. Fill out your information and click submit; a letter will automatically be sent to your two senators and representative.

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About the National Association of Wheat Growers. NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry, and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. From their offices in the Wheat Growers Building on Capitol Hill, NAWG’s staff members are in constant contact with state association representatives, NAWG grower leaders, Members of Congress, Congressional staff members, Administration officials, and the public.

About U.S. Wheat Associates. USW’s mission is to develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance wheat’s profitability for U.S. wheat producers and its value for their customers in more than 100 countries. Its activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 17 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit our website at www.uswheat.org.

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Joint Statement – Wheat Industry Welcomes Senate Confirmation of Doug McKalip as USTR Ag Negotiator

Following almost two years without a Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are very glad that the U.S. Senate has confirmed Doug McKalip to fill the position.

“Mr. McKalip’s work in conservation, with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and recent negotiations with the Mexican government on biotech issues match up perfectly with some of the most important agricultural trade barriers,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “He is well prepared for this position, and we look forward to working with him to open and grow overseas markets for U.S. wheat,”

“Congratulations to Doug McKalip for filling this critical role,” said NAWG CEO, Chandler Goule. “I know Doug very well from his decades of public service at the USDA, and he will be an absolute asset to USTR, wheat growers and the ag community. With half the wheat grown in the United States destined for foreign markets, it is essential we have these key trade roles filled and we look forward to having Doug advocate for U.S. wheat farmers.”

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