This week, NAWG officers are traveling to Washington D.C. for their annual Fly-in to meet with members of Congress and their staff to discuss the importance of passing a Farm Bill this year.
A few NAWG state associations are also hitting the Hill including the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Texas Wheat Producers Association, and Washington Association of Wheat Growers.
“With it looking like the Farm Bill could hit the House floor soon and anticipated action in the Senate Agriculture Committee this month, we knew it was critical to get in to see members and their staff to talk about the importance of completing a strong Farm Bill reauthorization before it expires,” says Jimmie Musick, Sentinel, OK, farmer and NAWG president.
“According to USDA’s Economic Research Service, net cash farm income of wheat farmers is expected to decline over 21% this year from last," he continues. "Along with low prices and a suffering ag economy, our farmers have also had to deal with extreme weather conditions and disease and pest problems affecting their crops. Strong Farm Bill programs are key to enabling growers to continue farming.”
NAWG continues to advocate for a strong crop safety net program which means no cuts to the crop insurance program and maintaining a producer choice between revenue-based (Agriculture Risk Coverage) and price-based (Price Loss Coverage) programs, as well as improvements to both. Further, NAWG continues to advocate for prioritizing working lands conservation programs in the Conservation Title, reauthorization and increased funding for MAP and FMD, as well as a strong research title.
“While the Senate is still working on its version of the 2018, NAWG focused its meetings on reminding staff of our priorities for the bill,” says Musick. “NAWG has been regularly interacting with key members in the Senate in hopes this bill meets our priorities and works for wheat growers.”
