Virginia Grain & Soybean Annual Conference Tuesday, February 16, 2016
National Association of Wheat Growers National Wheat Foundation Organizational Overview Policy Overview
NAWG Members • 22 affiliated state wheat grower organizations – Across all regions, all classes of wheat – Represent 85%+ of all wheat production • Industry Partners Council • Individual-direct membership available for farmers in states without an affiliated association
Grassroots Organization • Policy priorities developed by our States and farmer leaders • Several policy committees covering domestic, trade, environment, renewable resources, and research and technology • Joint trade and biotechnology policy committees with U.S. Wheat Associates • 3 board meetings held each year, additional committee conference calls held • Farmer fly-ins to DC to lobby • NAWG leaders active in DC and in the media • Development of National Wheat Action Plan
Governance & Management
NAWG Governance Structure • President • Exec Cmte - Officers (P, VP, Treas., Sec., PP) • CEO • Board of Directors (2 per 22 states) • Committees – Domestic and Trade Policy – Joint International Trade Policy (USW) – Joint Biotechnology (USW) – Environment and Renewable Resources – Research and Technology – Operations and Planning – Nominating – Budget
Focused on the Future of Wheat
Board of Directors Restructured in 2012 to be smaller, more flexible Five farmers, including four former NAWG presidents Colorado , Idaho, Texas North Carolina, Kansas Two crop industry reps One miller rep One baker rep
NWF Staffing • NAWG CEO serves as the executive director of NWF • Finance, communications and corporate/ industry relations staff also assist with NWF program implementation and developing financial support • NAWG provides administrative support & financial oversight for all NWF programs
Current NWF Programs • National Wheat Action Plan (Bayer CropS cience and others serve on Advisory Council) • WOLF (Bayer CropS cience) • WILOT (Monsanto) • Jerry Minore S cholarships (BAS F) • Wheat Advocates • National Wheat Yield Contest (BAS F, Monsanto, John Deere, WinField)
NAWG Fe Fede deral P l Polic olicy Act ctivit ities
NAW AWG P Policy Ac Activities in 201 015 • Defense of Crop Insurance through Budget Agreement Debate • Highway Bill Reauthorization – Reversal of crop insurance cuts – Funding for road construction projects • Positive Train Control (PTC) extension • FY 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Bill • Tax package – Section 179 and bonus depreciation • Reauthorization of the Grain Standards Act – NAWG priorities included – maintains State-delegated authority; requires an open recertification process; requires study on impact of Canada’s treatment of U.S. wheat • Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization
NAW AWG P Policy Ac Activities in 201 015 • Comments on Actively Engaged Rule • 2014 Crop Title 1 Payments • GMO labeling legislation • WOTUS Rule • Passage of Trade Promotion Authority • Conclusion of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations – NAWG/USW support the agreement • USW/NAWG release of domestic support study • APHIS GE field trials comments
Top p 20 2016 16 Policy I Issues ues • Threats to the Farm Bill and Crop Insurance – Anticipating “regular order” for FY 2017 Appropriations process – likely see multiple efforts to come after Farm Bill programs – President’s budget request includes $18 billion cut to crop insurance – Stand-alone legislation (Flake/Kind AFFIRM Act) – Other threats to crop insurance later in presentation • GMO labeling legislation • Continuing efforts to rollback the WOTUS rule • CFTC Reauthorization • FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations – Research funding – Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program funding
Top p 20 2016 16 Policy I Issues ues • Development of policy priorities for next Farm Bill • Possible Congressional consideration of TPP – Political realities facing consideration – Urgency to wheat for action • Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership • Canada grain-grading issues • Representing wheat growers on sustainability discussions through the Field to Market Alliance • Supporting USDA conservation programs that work for wheat growers • Ensuring balance between endangered species requirements and pesticide applications
Polit itica ical C l Challen llenges es f for F Farm P Programs • Detractors will continue to find unique ways to come after crop insurance and Title I – Appropriations Process – Budget Agreement – Sequestration – Upcoming Farm Bill battle • Primary policy threats – Hard cap on federal share of the crop insurance producer premium – AGI limitations for eligibility – Company reimbursements – A&O and rate of return – Elimination of Harvest Price Option (HPO) • Message to Congress – Do not reopen the Farm Bill, crop insurance is the foundation of the safety net – Weather extremes and high input costs are increasing the grower’s economic risk – Oppose stand-alone bills and appropriations riders that would undermine crop insurance
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