WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President Erik Younggren, who farms wheat, sugar beets and soybeans near Hallock, Minnesota, U.S., said the top legislative priority for the NAWG during this Congress remains the achievement of a new, five-year farm bill before current law expires on Sept. 30.

“The association and its farmer-leaders do not support a short-term extension of the 2008 Farm Bill by itself. A one-year extension would create even more uncertainly in a political, agronomic and economic climate that is already uncertain enough. A short-term extension would not incorporate many of the farm policy reforms that are crucial to garnering widespread support for a new farm law. And a one-year extension would set up the farm community for another year of waiting for Congress to get its job done.

“As it is, next year’s winter wheat crop will be in the ground before any farm policy legislation is able to go to the President’s desk this year. We appreciate the continued efforts of our farm leaders who are working to achieve a five-year bill and encourage Members of the House to do what they can, through whatever process possible, to give our nation’s growers long-term farm policy certainty this year.”