NAWG President Says Record Farm Payments Are No Reason to Celebrate

October 26, 2026

With rising fuel and fertilizer costs, tight profit margins and continued uncertainty surrounding federal farm policy, America's wheat producers are welcoming new financial assistance from Washington. However, National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President and Idaho farmer Jamie Kress says government payments are no substitute for an agricultural economy where farmers can make a living from the crops they grow.

While she appreciates the administration's recognition of the financial challenges facing agriculture, Kress says the underlying economic pressures remain significant.

$8 Billion Fuel Relief Program Welcomed by Wheat Growers

The recently announced Harvest Fuel Relief Program is intended to help farmers offset higher fuel expenses that have added to production costs throughout the growing season.

For wheat growers already struggling with narrow margins, Kress says the assistance is welcome.

“The Harvest Fuel Relief Program was announced earlier this week. Indeed, as you mentioned, $8 billion to go out to farmers around the United States to help mitigate the cost of increased fuel prices that we've all been subject to this year,” Kress said.

She emphasized that rising diesel prices have affected nearly every aspect of agricultural production, from fieldwork and transportation to harvesting and other essential operations.

“Obviously, NAWG welcomes that announcement,” Kress said. “Any acknowledgment and any assistance to our farmers on the ground to help out with these high fuel costs that we've been seeing is definitely welcomed and much needed, quite frankly.”

However, Kress made clear that financial assistance alone will not solve the broader profitability challenges facing wheat producers.

Farm Bill Remains a Major Priority

As the calendar moves toward the end of 2026, Kress says wheat growers remain focused on unfinished agricultural policy business in Washington.

At the top of that list is passing a new Farm Bill.

Although Congress has struggled to reach agreement on comprehensive farm legislation, Kress says NAWG has not abandoned hope that lawmakers could make progress during a post-election lame-duck session.

“Within NAWG and within policy in Washington, D.C., I feel like there's still a lot of 2026 that we need to work through before we even think about 2027,” Kress explained.

She believes the November midterm elections could provide an opportunity for Congress to return its attention to unfinished agricultural legislation.

“We have not given up hope of some movement in the Farm Bill during the lame-duck session,” Kress said. “I don't know that I would place significant bets on getting a Farm Bill accomplished, but the calendar tells us that there is some space.”

Kress added that the opportunity exists if lawmakers are willing to act.

“If there is some will, there's some space to potentially get some movement and, cross our fingers, get a Farm Bill completed this year.”

Beyond the Farm Bill, Kress says avoiding another federal government shutdown is also a priority, pointing to the December 11 funding deadline.

NAWG will continue working with lawmakers and agricultural leaders to advance policies that support producers before the end of the year.

Record Farm Payments Highlight Agriculture's Financial Struggles

Another major development discussed during the interview was USDA's announcement of a record $13.8 billion in farm safety net payments.

While Kress appreciates the availability of those programs, he cautioned against interpreting record government assistance as a sign of success for American agriculture.

Instead, she believes the payments demonstrate just how difficult the economic situation has become for many producers.

“I don't think we should be celebrating the fact that rural America needs that kind of assistance to continue to stay in business, to grow food,” Kress said. “That's not a celebratory moment for us.”

Kress acknowledged the work of congressional agriculture committees and changes made to federal safety net programs through legislation passed earlier in the year.

She says those improvements are now providing important support to producers facing difficult financial conditions.

“We made some changes to the safety net programs, and we're seeing some of that come together in this moment,” Kress explained.

However, she emphasized that farmers would much rather generate sufficient revenue through the marketplace than depend on federal assistance to keep their operations afloat.

“We would much rather be able to function, to operate our farms, in an environment where a person can afford to be in business without the assistance of the government,” Kress said.

For wheat growers, that means addressing the broader issues affecting profitability, including high input costs, commodity prices and access to reliable markets.

Fertilizer Costs Continue to Hit Close to Home

As an active Idaho wheat producer, Kress understands firsthand the financial challenges facing farmers.

During the interview, she was preparing to return to fieldwork on her family's operation, where fertilizer applications were underway ahead of anticipated rainfall.

“At our house right now, we are putting down some very expensive fertilizer, top-dressing winter crops before this rain comes,” Kress said.

Her comments illustrate the difficult decisions producers continue to face as they invest significant amounts of money into growing crops without knowing whether market prices will provide an adequate return.

For many farmers, those rising expenses have made careful financial management and effective federal agricultural policy increasingly important.

NAWG Continues Advocating for Farmers in Washington

Despite the challenges, Kress says wheat producers can take some encouragement from the ongoing work of NAWG's leadership and policy team in Washington, D.C.

She emphasized that the organization's advocacy efforts extend far beyond any single issue or piece of legislation.

“It's not just one thing. It's a million things,” Kress said.

According to Kress, NAWG's staff works closely with the organization's officers to respond to legislative developments, regulatory proposals and unexpected policy challenges that arise throughout the year.

“We as officers obviously stay in close touch with those folks in D.C., and they are busy day in and day out,” he explained.

For Kress, having an experienced team representing wheat producers in Washington allows farmers to remain focused on running their operations while knowing their concerns are being heard.

“It's a constant effort to watch out for the farmer,” Kress said. “That's the exciting thing to me, is that we can stay home and continue to work on our farms while all that crew is taking care of us in D.C.”

As wheat growers look toward the 2027 growing season, Kress says NAWG will continue pushing for meaningful agricultural policy improvements, a stronger farm safety net and an economic environment where producers can remain profitable.

For now, she believes the industry's message to Washington is clear: Farmers appreciate the assistance, but what they really need is the opportunity to make a living from farming.

Source: Western Ag Network