Last week after a Farm Bill session featuring many Oklahoma Senators, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to talk with Oklahoma farmer and National Association of Wheat Growers President Keeff Felty about priorities for wheat growers in the 2024 Farm Bill.
“The high points were reiterating our asks since June 2022 and focusing on some of the things that are being put forward by Chairwoman Stabenow and her proposed legislation and language,” Felty said. “The Senate language has not been released yet, so we don’t have an official version.”
Felty also emphasized the importance of completing a Farm Bill during this current Congress. Between the House and Senate Farm Bill proposals, Felty said the House version leans more toward the priorities of NAWG.
“The process is going to be based on compromise and coming together, and that is a hallmark of Farm Bills,” Felty said. “They are a group effort and at the end of the day, the solutions are arrived at that are best for the time. We are hopeful that continues to be the case.”
Regarding market promotion, Felty said NAWG would like to see the funding of the MAP (Market Access Program) and FMD (Foreign Market Development) programs doubled.
“Fifty percent of wheat is exported, so that is where those come into play,” Felty said.
In Title I of the Farm Bill, Felty said NAWG would like to see an increase in reference prices, as they have not increased since the 2014 Farm Bill.
Switching gears to Oklahoma’s wheat crop conditions, Felty said the crop looks above average. He expects combines to start rolling pretty quickly and expects Harvest to start by the end of this week.
“Wheat Crop looks pretty good, above average. We have not been overly wet, but we have had timely rains,” Felty said. “I think it has potential.”
