WAWG: Mixed News Coming From DC These Days

The past couple of months have been very busy for the agriculture community on the federal level.  First Congress allowed the 2014 Farm Bill to elapse without passing a new Farm Bill.  Meaning the Ag community is now several days without a current Farm Bill.  Michelle Hennings Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers says the lack of Farm Bill is very frustrating for growers that need the legislation.

She noted the main sticking points during debate, nutrition and energy, have very little to do with Ag.

“We’ve been in to the House Ag Committee, the Senate Ag Committee, we’ve been over there visiting with Washington Congress a long with our national association of wheat growers, and everyone seems to understand that the farmers need this Farm Bill, but we haven’t seen any action.”

On the other side of the coin, Hennings is very optimistic about the USMCA (the updated NAFTA).  She said this will allow growers access to one more market.

“This agreement specifies that Canada has agreed to grade imports of U.S. wheat in a manner no less favorable then it accords Canadian wheat.  So, this is very positive for us.  Because when out wheat goes into Canada right now, it’s graded as feed wheat, and so this will help it be on a more level playing field."

Hennings said KORUS will also help Northwest wheat growers.  Now she said local producers want to see a resolution with the trade war with China.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com