Ontario Grain Farmer December 2021/January 2022

Founded in 1957, the NCGA represents nearly 40,000 dues-paying corn farmers nationwide and the interests of more than 300,000 growers who contribute through corn checkoff programs in their states. NCGA and its 50 affiliated state organizations work together to create and increase opportunities for corn growers. CHANDLER GOULE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WHEAT GROWERS Climate, sustainability, and drought dominated our agenda in 2021. As the CEO for the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), leading our organization’s efforts to advocate for American wheat farmers is one of my roles. The new federal administration has named climate and sustainability a priority. Many of our wheat growers have already implemented environmental practices that are positively impacting the environment and are increasing resource efficiencies in land, water, and energy use. We will continue to work with our members on policy options and the role farmers play in addressing climate issues. Climate is a concern for our members too, and is a major factor in production and outputs. Voluntary carbon markets have been on the minds of many wheat growers and NAWG has testified before the House Agriculture Committee on this topic. Drought is top of mind for everyone. The drought and other extreme weather events in 2021 have demonstrated the importance of crop insurance. The federal crop insurance program provides critical risk management tools to address production and revenue losses. Disaster Aid is another climate and weather-related concern constantly facing our growers. There’s been some recent progress by Congress to reauthorize disaster aid programs to deliver much- needed assistance to growers impacted by natural disasters. Market development is on the issues agenda for 2022, especially working to ensure market development programs like the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program maintain their 22 funding. These programs are critical tools that help to build and maintain key export markets. When it comes to trade issues, the enforcement of trade agreements is critical and is a priority for NAWG. For example, the U.S. won two World Trade Organization cases against China’s domestic support programs and tariff rate quota commitments. Our competitiveness in the international market is also dependent on our infrastructure system to get our product to market. Continued buildout of rural broadband infrastructure, investments into maintenance of our ports, inland waterways and roadways, and reasonable rail rates are also critical components of maintaining global competitiveness. The NAWG is closely monitoring any changes to taxes and reconciliation policies that could impact members, especially the recent reduction of the current estate tax exemption. We are watching this issue to ensure our members and their farms are protected as they pass farms and land on to the next generation. Next year, we expect Congress will begin holding a hearing to evaluate the effectiveness of programs authorized under the 2018 Farm Bill. We’ll be working to review these programs and develop our priorities for reauthorization and look forward to participating in the process to improve the Farm Bill. Wheat growers continue to experience disease and pest challenges in any given year. Particular conditions throughout the U.S. result in scab outbreaks, wheat rusts, wheat stem sawfly, hessian, fly, and bacterial leaf streak. Many of our growers experienced a significant grasshopper pest challenge in 2021. NAWG is aware of supply chain and global energy issues, some of which have existed before the pandemic, but have worsened due to a number of factors. The costs and availability of inputs and labour shortages throughout the value and supply chain (leading to delays in getting parts and other inputs) are all serious concerns for our organization and growers that we’ll continue to monitor. NAWG is the primary policy representative in Washington D.C. for wheat growers, working to ensure a better future for America’s growers, the industry and the general public. NAWG works with a team of 20 state wheat grower organizations to benefit the wheat industry at the national level. l continued from page 21