Agricultural News
NAWG President Dave Milligan Explains How Wheat Producers Have Adapted to The Many Challenges This Year
Fri, 04 Dec 2020 11:29:17 CST
Change is inevitable and 2020 has had more than our fair share of changes, forcing everyone, including wheat producers to adapt, said Dave Millligan, President of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG).
Milligan was recently interviewed by Radio Oklahoma Agriculture Network Associate Farm Director and Editor KC Sheperd.
When the pandemic hit, wheat farmers were hurt as much as anyone, Milligan said.
The first COVID-19 relief package didn't include all wheat classes so after working with our friends at the USDA and Congress we were able to get all wheat covered in the second round of relief, Milligan said.
Other issues that cropped up this year included a possible glyphosate restriction as part of Prop 65 in California.
NAWG took the lead in that lawsuit and fortunately the judge agreed with farmers, Milligan said.
We were glad to see sound science was used in that decision, he said.
This is a big issue for wheat which is often grown in dry areas, Milligan said.
Chemicals are necessary to grow food to feed the world and with the use of planting cover crops and using no-till practices we must use chemicals to control the weeds, Milligan said.
It saves time, energy and protects the environment, he added.
There's no justification to call these dangerous and many of these incorrect perceptions are spread by people who aren't doing the work (of farming), Milligan said.
As he looks ahead to 2021 transitioning to a new administration is just part of the challenging changes staring them in the face, Milligan said.
The Michigan farmer said losing U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN) and U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) will be hard as both were chairs of the Ag Committees in their respective legislative chambers. Peterson lost his re-election bid and Roberts retired.
These people have been strong advocates for agriculture and wheat in particular, Milligan said.
He added the NAWG staff are accustomed to working with changing staff situations in Washington, D.C.
Click on the listen bar below to hear more of KC's interview with Dave Milligan.
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