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Oregon Wheat specific Press Releases can be found here.

4.9-21 - An Oregon Supreme Court decision today ensures the State Legislature’s role in the redistricting process is preserved and provides an extended deadline of September 27, 2021. The news was welcomed by both Senate Republicans and Democrats in press releases today.

Senate Republican Press release: Supreme Court Strikes Down Secretary Fagan’s Argument As Flawed, Sides With Legislature on Redistricting

Senate Democrat Press release: Redistricting Chairs Laud Oregon Supreme Court Decision

President Biden released his $2 trillion American Jobs Plan investment in the nation’s roads, waterways, airports, electric grid, and broadband. The package would invest about 1% of the GDP per year over eight years. A second economic proposal focused on human infrastructure is expected later in April. This infrastructure plan includes significant corporate tax provisions that NAWG is currently evaluating.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Monday, April 5, announced the availability of $2 million to establish partnerships with organizations to provide outreach and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The funding was made possible by USDA’s new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, an effort to distribute resources more broadly and to put greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers impacted by the pandemic. Today also marks the reopening of FSA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) signup as part of the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Farmers and ranchers will have at least 60 days to apply or make modifications to existing CFAP 2 applications.

Cooperative Agreements

The cooperative agreements will support participation in programs offered by FSA, including those that are part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Interested organizations must submit proposals by May 5, 2021.

“USDA is committed to making financial assistance available to a broader set of producers, including to socially disadvantaged communities, and we know that we need partners to help make that happen,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “This funding will support grassroots organizations and public institutions as we support their producers. I am excited to see their innovative, results-driven proposals to help us reach our producers, especially those who have not taken full advantage of the available assistance.”

Outreach and technical assistance cooperative agreements support projects that:

• Increase access and participation of socially disadvantaged applicants in FSA programs and services.
• Improve technical assistance for socially disadvantaged applicants related to county committees focused on urban agriculture as well as FSA programs, including loan, disaster assistance, conservation and safety-net programs.

FSA will prioritize review of proposals that support outreach on CFAP 2. To ensure effective outreach during the signup period for CFAP 2, these applications will be reviewed immediately following the submission deadline for prioritized approval and project initiation.

Oregon Wheat Growers League strongly opposes the proposal floated by Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson to breach the four Lower Snake River dams. The Columbia-Snake River System provides the most environmentally friendly and safest mode of transportation for getting wheat to market. The loss of those dams would significantly increase emissions, requiring wheat and other products to move from barge to rail and truck transportation, directly conflicting with our region’s climate goals. The Congressman’s plan to create a “Columbia Basin Fund” for regional economic and environmental transition does not address the harm that would be caused to both the economy and environment by his proposal. We join our partners in firmly opposing this proposal which targets the lower Snake River Dams and the long-term viability of our agricultural economy.

• Pacific Northwest Waterways Association press release
• NW River Partners press release

OWGL appreciates Senators Merkley and Wyden in their support of our Oregon wheat producers in seeking an extension to the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) deadline. Early last week both Senators sent a letter to USDA urging them to extend the short CRP sign up by one month. The current opening of January 4 to February 12, 2021 has been difficult for producers to complete paperwork due to the current pandemic climate and lack of availability to meet with Farm Service Agency (FSA) in person.

Read the full press release from USDA here.

OWGL received word last week regarding approval of a new wireworm seed treatment in Oregon. The new seed treatment that helps wheat growers kill wireworms was recently approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, and a Washington expert calls it a “game-changer.”

Teraxxa, manufactured by BASF, was approved in mid-January by the Environmental Protection Agency for use in 2021, just in time for spring seeding. The ODA approved the label last week. According to BASF, the active ingredient in Teraxxa seed treatment, broflanilide, is a new class of chemistry that delivers a new mode of action to protect against wireworms. The product binds to the wireworm’s central nervous system, causing hyperactivity of nerves and muscles, ultimately killing the wireworm. Field trials showed 80-90% reduction in wireworms.

See BASF’s announcement.

Read more from the Capital Press.

With the United States bringing in a new administration, one of a different political party, some changes in trade policy and strategy could be expected. As the Biden Administration takes shape, the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) encourages it to build upon the trade successes of the Trump Administration. Additionally, NAWG stresses the importance of coalition-building in pursuing solutions to trade disputes and to work towards restoring a functional appeals system at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Further, NAWG urges the Biden administration to advocate for wheat on the world stage by continuing to support export market development programs through the annual budget process and to work collaboratively to reduce trade barriers. The U.S. exports 50% of its wheat crop, making it a priority for America’s farmers, which should also mean a priority for the new administration.

Read more.

USDA, USTR Name New Agricultural Trade Advisors

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced the appointment of 67 members to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees. The Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee is comprised of senior representatives from across the U.S. agricultural community who provide advice to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policy matters including the operation of existing trade agreements and the negotiation of new agreements. Members of the six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs) provide technical advice and guidance from the perspective of their specific product sectors.

This group of appointed advisors will serve until 2025. Applications are encouraged at any time and will be considered for future appointments. Application information and a complete list of committee members are available at www.fas.usda.gov/atacs.

Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee appointment: Congratulations to Vince Peterson of U.S. Wheat Associates!

The Phase One agreement contained both specific purchase targets for agricultural commodities, and structural changes to China’s import systems. To date, much of the celebration and criticism has centered on the purchase targets — with very little attention paid to the structural changes that in some instance resolved disputes decades in the making.

Read more.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced that it has finalized quality loss coverage in its Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President and Cass City, MI wheat farmer Dave Milligan made the following statement in response: “NAWG welcomes the news from USDA’s Farm Service Agency that it has finalized quality loss coverage in WHIP+.

This new Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) is intended to help growers who suffered crop quality losses due to extreme weather conditions in 2018 and 2019. Many wheat farmers in the northern Plains and across to the northwest experienced significant falling numbers problems as a result of excessive moisture at harvest time.

“Congress included language and funding for WHIP+ to be expanded to include quality losses as part of the FY 2020 funding bill, with additional funding being added as part of the FY 2021 omnibus appropriations bill passed last month. From the onset of the disaster conditions and throughout 2020, NAWG worked with its state associations and other national stakeholders in engaging FSA officials by demonstrating the quality losses that were experienced and exploring options for WHIP+ quality loss implementation.

“The news culminates important work done to get needed support to impacted producers. NAWG is diving into the details of the program and looks forward to working with FSA and our producers during the sign-up period.”

More information on the Quality Loss Adjustment program is available on the website: www.farmers.gov/quality-loss.

On December 21, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed H.R. 133, the Consolidated

Appropriations Act of 2021, sending it to the President’s desk for his signature. The legislation includes all 12 fiscal year 2021 appropriations bills, $900 billion in coronavirus relief, and authorizations.

The President’s signature on the extensive stimulus package and government funding bill agreed to by Congress included several elements for agricultural supports. Among those are an extension to a third round for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Payments. Included in the COVID-19 relief is an additional $13 billion for the agriculture industry, including $11.1875 billion to aid agricultural producers.

Other highlights:

• Supplemental CFAP payments of $20 per eligible acre for the 2020 crop year to producers of price trigger crops who meet a defined market trigger.

• Secretary of Agriculture may extend the term of marketing assistance loans to 12 months.

• Provides for additional Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) assistance and provides clarification that deductions are allowed for otherwise deductible expenses paid with proceeds of a PPP loan that is forgiven. Includes a provision establishing a specific loan calculation for the first round of PPP loans for farmers and ranchers who operate as a sole proprietor, independent contractor, self-employed individual, who report income and expenses on a Schedule F – these entities may utilize their gross income in 2019 as reported on a Schedule F – lenders may recalculate loans that have been previously approved to these entities if they would result in a larger loan. This applies to PPP loans before, on, or after the date of enactment, except for loans that have already been forgiven.

• FY 2021 Agriculture Appropriations also include several OWGL and NAWG priorities. Report language is included directing that no less than FY 2020 levels be spent on several ARS activities including resilient dryland farming.

OWGL appreciates Congress including the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, which will provide critical infrastructure improvements to maintain the flow of grain throughout the PNW.

Read the NAWG press release.

Congratulations to Erin Heideman, the Oregon Wheat Growers League, Morrow County President, on her appointment to the DEQ Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) on Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Cap and Reduce Program. DEQ made two important additions to the RAC Thursday to provide representation for industries most affected by this rulemaking: adding a dedicated, experienced, and well-rounded agricultural-centered individual with Erin Heideman as our working lands/production representative and adding a well-known and respected face, Jana Jarvis from the Oregon Truckers Association, to provide representation for freight and trucking.

During DEQ town halls prior to the formation of the committee, OWGL members repeatedly reinforced the need to include working lands and production agriculture as a dedicated voice on the committee. We are pleased Erin will have the opportunity to serve in this capacity. Having a seat at the table to discuss the impacts of rulemaking on ag producers and rural communities is critical. The work of the committee includes making recommendations on program and policy options; Reviewing, evaluating, and suggesting draft rule language; and Evaluating the fiscal, environmental, and public health implications of draft rules.

All Rulemaking Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public and each meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to comment. Comments are only open for a time period during and following the meeting. Visit http://bit.ly/3iOXlHl to learn more about how to comment and attend the meetings.

Rulemaking contact: Nicole Singh, ghgcr2021@deq.state.or.us or call 503-706-7210.

View here: https://www.oregon.gov/deq/ghgp/Pages/capandreduce.aspx.

Congratulations- and thank you- to Erin for stepping up to serve on the RAC!

Oregon Department of Agriculture Issues New Chlorpyrifos Rules

ODA released their final rules for chlorpyrifos use in Oregon this week. The agency received over 1000 comments on the draft with the vast majority from the environmental and farmworker community asking them to go even further and supporting an immediate prohibition. The new rules significantly limit chlorpyrifos' uses immediately and phases out nearly all use by December 31, 2023 with few allowances in seed treatments and granular use.

• View ODA Press Release
• View Final Rules
• Opinion Piece: Regulations Alone Are Not Solutions BY: Katie Murray, OFS Executive Director

The House of Representatives passed the United States Grain Standards Reauthorization Act (GSRA) of 2020, S. 4054. OWGL applauds both the House and Senate for their bipartisan work to move the bill forward and reauthorize the GSA through September 30, 2025. OWGL in collaboration with our national organizations of NAWG and U.S. Wheat Associates have worked collaboratively over the last year and a half on this key issue of reauthorization, given the critical importance of the United States’ weighing and inspection system to our competitiveness in the world market.

Read more here.

The Enhanced Coverage Option (ECO) provides area-based coverage for a portion of the deductible of your underlying policy in a manner similar to the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO). It uses the same expected and final area yields, projected and harvest prices and payment factors as SCO but covers a band from 86 percent (where SCO coverage ends) up to 90 or 95 percent of expected crop value.

ECO follows the coverage of your underlying policy. The amount of ECO coverage depends on the crop value, which is based on the liability and coverage level for your underlying policy. ECO will first be available for the 2021 crop year nationwide for 31 crops (Wheat included!) with a contract change date of November 30, 2020, or later.

Read more, https://bit.ly/2Vtk3dy

U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) submitted comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for the annual National Trade Estimates (NTE) report.

The NTE report allows U.S. industry organizations to highlight and comment on trade barriers impacting their trade opportunities to the U.S. government. USW highlighted several key U.S. wheat markets where there are many barriers in market access, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, export subsidies and domestic support. Two of these barriers are highlighted below.

India

India maintains a trade distorting market price support system that encourages domestic wheat production. This leads to distortion in the international market due to domestic crop size and price. When stocks are too large, India has a history of applying export subsidies to move these excess wheat supplies out of the country. If they were to comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and eliminate these subsidies it would create a more level playing field for U.S. wheat exports and increase U.S. wheat annual value of production by an estimated $516 million per year by 2028/29, according to a study by a Texas A&M University economist.

China

China has long been featured in USW NTE submissions with its violations of domestic support and TRQ policies. This year, both of those sections received substantial updates as China works toward compliance in the WTO case rulings and in implementing the Phase One agreement. When China joined the WTO, it agreed to an annual 9.64 million metric ton (MMT) tariff rate quota (TRQ) with a one percent duty but have always manipulated its administration to prevent proper use. USW is encouraged by the recent changes that have promoted extensive use of the TRQ this year but remains vigilant in monitoring the TRQ administration to ensure full compliance with the WTO ruling. That TRQ administration, coupled with real domestic support reforms, are key to unlocking the long-term potential of China’s wheat market for U.S. farmers and to providing consistent access to U.S. supplies for Chinese millers.

For more details and to read about trade barriers in other countries, USW comments to the USTR can be found at, https://bit.ly/2UhtgVv

USTR will use these comments to develop its annual NTE report to be released in early 2021.

Major organizations supporting the U.S. commitment to international food aid confirmed that U.S. wheat remains their most donated crop for monetization and feeding assistance.

Representatives from World Food Program (WFP) USA, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International food Assistance Division of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service provided that information at a meeting of the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Food Aid Working Group Nov. 10.

USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) has procured 697,280 metric tons of U.S. wheat, including a small amount of flour, in fiscal year 2020. That represents nearly 47 percent of all commodities purchased by BHA and makes wheat the largest commodity used in emergency and non-emergency food assistance. Of note, more than 58 percent was in-kind soft white wheat destined for Yemen.

Read more here.

OWGL joined two dozen other region- and state-wide organizations this week in sending letters to the governors and governors-elect of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana, identifying principles that should be adopted to guide the development of a region-wide salmon recovery plan.

The letters request that solutions must consider warming, acidifying oceans; be holistic in nature; assess social costs of carbon; weigh likely socioeconomic and health impacts on under-represented and vulnerable communities; not add to the risk of wildfires and other climate-driven disasters; recognize the Congressionally-authorized multiple purposes of our river systems; and undergo non-partisan and rigorous scientific testing.

Read the full letter here.

Agricultural producers can now make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2021 crop year.

Enrollment for the 2021 crop year closes March 15, 2021.Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.

Producers can elect coverage and enroll in crop-by-crop ARC-County or PLC, or ARC-Individual for the entire farm, for the 2021 crop year. Although election changes for 2021 are optional, enrollment (signed contract) is required for each year of the program. If a producer has a multi-year contract on the farm and makes an election change for 2021, it will be necessary to sign a new contract. If an election is not submitted by the deadline of March 15, 2021, the election defaults to the current election for crops on the farm from the prior crop year.

Learn More

1 Greenhouse & nursery $955,166,000

2 Hay $674,280,000

3 Cattle & calves $625,158,000

4 Milk $552,096,000

5 Grass seed $517,406,000

6 Wheat $282,948,000

7 Grapes for wine $237,784,000

8 Potatoes $198,889,000

9 Blueberries $134,254,000

10 Pears $108,774,000

The range for the 23 varieties include rating of 0 (no significant yield loss and fungicide is not needed), rating of 1 (yield loss close to significance and fungicide may or may not needed), and rating of 2 or higher (yield loss significant and fungicide is needed).

See more information and variety susceptibility ratings here.

The Oregon Wheat Commission provides financial support to stripe rust research at ARS-Pullman to improve the understanding of stripe rust disease epidemiology and the pathogen population; improve stripe rust resistance in wheat varieties; and improve the integrated management of stripe rust.

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) will soon be making Farm Bill program payments through ARC and PLC. The PLC payment rate will be $0.92 per bushel. Additionally, FSA has recently posted a spreadsheet showing 2019 ARC-County benchmark yields and revenue, as well as payment rates, as of October 9, 2020. That spreadsheet, which is broken down by commodity, state, and county, can be found here.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) published a final rule making adjustments to the actively engaged and payment limitation rules for farm program participation, in part as implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill.

A few key revisions include:

• The definition of “family member” for purposes of farm program eligibility is expanded to include first cousin, niece, and nephew
• Changes to qualification requirements based on management contributions
• Loan Deficiency Payments and Marketing Loan Gains are removed from the combined $125,000 payment limitation.
• Enables the Secretary to waive the $900,000 Adjusted Gross Income limitation of certain FSA and NRCS conservation contracts for environmentally sensitive land of special significance.

Grower Organizations make Difficult Decision to Cancel 2020 Convention

Due to the uncertain timeframes of current group restrictions and financial implications of delaying a decision, the small grain grower associations of Idaho, Oregon and Washington regret to announce the cancellation of the 2020 Tri-State Grain Growers Convention. The event was originally scheduled for December 1-4, 2020 at the Coeur d’Alene Resort.

The Tri-State Grain Growers Convention has become a premier annual event in the Pacific Northwest for small grain producers and industry partners. It attracts nearly 450 people from Idaho, Oregon and Washington. At the event, the grower associations hold their annual business meetings to direct their policy work and install new leadership. Jointly, the three states hear from nationally elected officials, high caliber keynote speakers, participate in educational breakouts, collaborate with industry partners, and more.

We want to express our sincere appreciation to the grower members, sponsors and exhibitors for your continued during these uncertain times. State leadership and boards will continue their work on behalf of the association members as we head in to critical legislative sessions.

The 2021 Tri-State Grain Growers Convention is slated for November 30-December 3, 2021 at the Davenport Grand Hotel in Spokane, WA. Idaho Grain Producers Association, Oregon Wheat Growers League and Washington Association of Wheat Growers hope to see you there!

1. A proposed rule providing limitations on pesticide products containing the insecticide, chlorpyrifos, OAR-603-057-0545.
2. A proposed rule to amend a currently existing rule to provide consistency between statute and rule, when listing a pesticide as restricted use, OAR 603-057-0205.

When developing these rules, the Department worked extensively with stakeholders in a Chlorpyrifos Workgroup for nine months.

Additional information regarding the proposed rules and workgroup efforts may be found here.

Written comments can be emailed to chlorpyrifos-comments@oda.state.or.us; or mailed to,

Amy Bingham
2020 Rulemaking Comment
Directors Office
Oregon Department of Agriculture
635 Capitol St NE
Salem, OR 97301-2532

The US Mexico Canada Agreement officially entered into force on July 1, 2020. This final step means that all required legislative and regulatory changes needed to implement the agreement have been put into place or are scheduled to take effect.

The Oregon Wheat Growers’ League celebrates this critical trade agreement taking effect. “The majority of Oregon wheat is exported, so stability in our overseas markets is essential for Oregon wheat producers” stated OWGL President Clint Carlson.

“USMCA provides that certainty and market stability, benefiting wheat producers.”

One of the key wheat provisions in USMCA is continued tariff free access for US wheat exports to Mexico. While Mexico is not a top market currently for the Pacific Northwest, it is the nation's largest wheat importer. In the marketing year 2019/20, which ended May 31, 2020, Mexico purchased more than 3.87 million metric tons (MMT) of U.S. wheat valued at $881 million. Its ability to continue to source U.S. wheat into the future strengthens the entire market, to the benefit of Oregon producers as well. A second key provision in USMCA is improved grading treatment for US wheat shipped to Canada. The new rules, allowing U.S. grown wheat brought across the border to Canadian grain elevators to be graded on a level playing field, are a significant step in furthering equal trade between the countries’ wheat growers. Other measures that benefit the wheat industry include the Agreement’s language around agricultural biotechnology which supports 21st Century innovations in agriculture and new language to strengthen disciplines for science-based SPS measures.

OWGL celebrates USMCA’s entry to force and appreciates the hard work of Congress and the Administration for helping to put this trade deal into effect.

Check out the U.S. Wheat Associates "Dependable People" spotlight.

Member: Oregon Wheat Commission
USW Member since 1980

Location: Portland, Oregon

Classes of wheat grown: Soft White (SW), Hard Red Spring (HRS), Hard Red Winter (HRW)

USW Leadership: William L. Hulse, 1981/82 Chairman; Stan Timmermann, 1993/94 Chairman; Darren Padget, incoming 2020/2021 Chairman

The Oregon Wheat Commission works to enhance the profitability of Oregon wheat growers by communicating, educating, assuring markets and conducting and stimulating research. Oregon grows primarily soft white (SW) wheat in the vast expanses of Eastern Oregon, and in the lush Willamette River Valley.

OSU Extension Cereal Newsletters – online reports by county

Web-Based Training for Trainers of Agricultural Workers and Pesticide Handlers under the National Worker Protection Standard (WPS) – Train the Trainer course – online, 24/7 training

WPS Compliance Assistance Library – A comprehensive guide with links to FAQ and more.

WPS: A Manual for Trainers of Ag Workers & Pesticide Handlers

PERC website – Pesticide Educational Resources Collaborative

“How to Comply” Manual