Stay up-to-date!

Oregon Wheat specific Press Releases can be found here.

July 8, 2021- The final OR-OSHA “Heat Rules” have been released. Below is the files for the General Business (OAR 437-002-0155 and OAR 437-004-1130) have been filed this morning with the Secretary of State and effective upon their publishing this afternoon.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced a final rule that provides wheat growers new options designed to improve crop insurance delivery and risk management options for producers. Specifically, these changes will allow enterprise units by type for wheat, which will enable producers to separately insure all the acres of a type of wheat in the county.

In October, Oregon Wheat Growers League advocated in favor of additional new Enterprise Unit options, with a need to assure additional options did not add cost for producers. The League supported enterprise unit divisions by practice and by type. While a change in unit divisions by practice was not included Small Grains Crop Provisions Final Rule, the League is pleased that RMA is expanding the availability to Oregon wheat producers regarding the enterprise unit by type (eg winter/spring wheat). The comment period on the rule is open for 60 days and the League will be expressing appreciation for the changes incorporated that support wheat producers and seeking to provide input on additional areas for improvements.

“Crop insurance provides a critical risk management tool for wheat growers and today’s announcement helps provide additional coverage options in areas where both winter and spring wheat are grown,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “Previously, wheat producers could only get enterprise units for wheat, but this change breaks it out by type and prevents one type of wheat from impacting payments on another. Today’s announcement is welcome news, and NAWG will continue to work with its membership and RMA to provide feedback on how crop insurance can continue to provide additional flexibility and options to protect wheat growers and help manage risk on their operations.

Changes will be effective for the 2022 and succeeding crop years.

More than $1 billion in payments will be released over the next several weeks starting June 15 for agricultural producers with approved applications for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program and for producers who have already received payments through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). These U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs provide disaster assistance to producers who suffered losses to 2018 and 2019 natural disasters.

“Oregon Wheat Growers League actively advocated for resources to support our producers impacted by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including those suffering losses from devastating wildfires. I am pleased to see the release of additional funds to cover a portion of the qualified losses sustained by Oregon producers. The League appreciates dedicated staff at USDA-FSA who were able to fight for our producers.”– Clint Carlson, OWGL President

Producers weathered some significant natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provided support for crop value and production losses through QLA and crop quantity losses through WHIP+.

Producers with 2018 qualifying losses: For QLA, eligible producers will receive 100% of the calculated assistance. Additionally, the second round of WHIP+ payments (40%) was for 2018 losses. The first round payment was 50%, which brings the total WHIP+ payment to 90% with this announcement. USDA noted that should additional funds become available, a third round of WHIP+ payments may be issued.

More information and to apply visit farmers.gov.

There is one severe infestation that OSU Extension in Northern Willamette area has confirmed on Rosalyn winter wheat near Forest Grove and another less severe, but apparent, infection on Alturas spring wheat just south of Monmouth. Oregon State University Extension Service professors have visited these fields and/or examined samples brought in and confirmed that the Hessian fly is present. OSU sent an alert last week, and as more reports come in they will figure out how wide spread the issue is. The understanding is that neither of the spring varieties have Hessian fly resistance and that an insecticidal seed treatment was not used on the Alturas field.

Please contact your local extension educator for more information or to report any infestations.

Recently, Oregon was successful in securing a modification to an enhancement under the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) program. Conservation Practice 328: Conservation Crop Rotation “E328L – Leaving tall crop residue for wildlife” received a variance for very dry landscapes. For this specific enhancement, feedback provided by Oregon producers on challenges with the stubble height requirement in dryland areas resulted in USDA staff submitting a variance request for areas with low precipitation.

Through CSP, producers currently select from over 200 enhancements to address resource concerns in their operations. However, given the wide variation in landscapes for our wheat growing regions, there is a lot more opportunity for identification of new enhancements. In partnership with USDA NRCS, we want the program to work for producers in all of our wheat growing areas for that highest level of conservation and stewardship! OWGL encourages our member producers to be thinking ahead into next year and bringing forward ideas about other new enhancements – or modifications to existing enhancements- that would ensure CSP-Enhance can better work for wheat growing areas.

Talk with your OWGL county president and NRCS staff about what enhancements may be most beneficial for your environment and what could be proposed as a new or modified enhancement in the future. Growers know their environments and feedback to these programs for the varying areas is important.

The Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Wheat Growers, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, Oregon Dairy Farmers Coalition, Oregon Seed Council, Oregon Wine Coalition, Associated Oregon Hazelnut Industries and Oregon Family Farm Association have united against SB 137-2 which would tax emergency PPP loans given to businesses and farmers during the pandemic.

Read SB 137-2 here.

These groups signed a coalition letter of Ag and other business groups stating:

“PPP funds were intended to keep as many employees on payroll as possible when states were experiencing massive spikes in unemployment benefit claims due to the government-ordered business closures and other impacts of the pandemic. Congress was clear that these funds should not be considered income, and after the IRS issued a ruling that these funds would not be allowed as regular deductible business expenses, Congress responded by expressly fixing this unintended consequence with the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020. A Surprise Tax Increase – SB 137-2 would require forgiven PPP loan amounts in excess of $100,000 be added back as “taxable income” for Oregon businesses that used the program exactly the way it was intended. It is an unfair, retroactive tax increase on Oregon small businesses at time when Oregon is already projected to bring in more revenue than ever before. The Legislative Revenue Office estimates this unnecessary tax increase will cost Oregon businesses $450-$600 million.”

Portland, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley on Wednesday, May 19, will hold a remote and telephone town hall for constituents in Umatilla County.

Tuesday, June 1 at 11am, will hold a remote and telephone town hall for constituents in Wallowa County.

Tuesday, June 1 at 4:30pm, will hold a remote and telephone town hall for constituents in Wasco County.

“Hearing from Oregonians across the state is critical to doing my job. In these uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to hear directly from folks, but it’s also important to respect the health and safety of every member of our communities while there is still a very real risk of spreading COVID-19 through in-person gatherings,” Merkley said. “The ideas and priorities I hear about in town halls inform the solutions that I fight to get into federal law. I look forward to these discussions—even if they’re online, on mobile devices, or on the telephone—about how we can strengthen our state and our nation.”

Since joining the Senate in 2009, Merkley has held a town hall in each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year.

Washington, D.C. (April 28, 2021) – Tonight, President Joseph Biden delivered his remarks before a Joint Session of Congress. NAWG CEO Chandler Goule provided the following statement in response:

“While the President addressed many issues of importance to the American people, we are eager to hear more about agricultural-related policies, specifically how we can improve farm program delivery and advance a trade agenda that ensures a level playing field for wheat growers. However, what our farmers saw in President Biden’s American Families Plan earlier today includes changes in the stepped-up basis, which raised a lot of questions in wheat country.

“We understand the American Families Plan’s goal is to target the ultra-wealthy and corporations who are able to evade taxes. However, farmers have several concerns about how changes to stepped-up basis and higher capital gains taxes on inherited assets could negatively impact families looking to pass along the farm to the next generation. Although the President’s plan says these reforms will be designed with protection in mind for family-owned businesses and farms, we want more details about how this would be achieved.

“The new administration plans to address climate-related issues by implementing environmentally-friendly practices. Last week, NAWG launched the new Special Climate and Sustainability Committee. The committee will work together to review wheat sustainable practices that benefit farmers in diverse climates and guide the development of NAWG policy priorities on climate policy. With the committee’s recommendations, NAWG will continue to work with Congress to educate the Hill on the progressive and sustainable tactics farmers practice every day.

“As the Administration considers a new approach on the world stage, let’s make sure that we continue to work on trade deals that develop, maintain, and expand international markets that keep American wheat producers in a strong position.

“NAWG looks forward to continuing to work with the Administration on ways to improve the livelihood of the American wheat farmer.”

“Every day should be Earth Day, where we acknowledge the need for and prioritize climate action to protect our planet for future generations. Innovative farming techniques that both reduce carbon and make our crops more climate resilient are a must in this fight,” Wyden said. “Federal investments in this transition will be a win for our farmers and a win for our planet—all the more reason to make sure every farmer has the opportunity to participate.”

The Healthy Soils Healthy Climate Act builds on a 2018 Farm Bill provision authored by Wyden and creates a permanent soil health program to provide $100 million to producers who adopt practices designed to improve soil health through increasing carbon levels in soil, prioritizing funding for underserved farmers. By promoting farming practices that capture carbon in soil, producers will improve soil health and crop resilience, while lowering the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

The bill establishes protocols for measuring soil organic carbon levels before and after these practices begin in order to determine which farming practices store the most carbon. This is critical because there is a significant need for more science and data to determine which conservation methods are most effective at storing carbon in the soil to improve soil health.

A web version of this release is here.

The virtual town hall schedule is as follows:

Morrow County, 3 pm, Saturday, May 1 link to watch

Umatilla, Union and Wallowa counties, 11:30 am, Sunday, May 2 link to watch

Wasco County, 3:30 pm, Sunday, May 2 link to watch

For Oregonians in those counties who want to submit questions for Senator Wyden, here’s the link.

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