NBGA August Newsletter

NBGA Newsletter Archive is now live!

Upcoming Barley Industry Events

September 2019: Craft Maltsters Guild Floor Malting Webinar 9/12

October 2019: Beer Institute Hill Climb and Beer Jobs Showcase 10/15-10/16

November 2019: Craft Maltsters Guild Equipment Vendor Webinar 11/14

December 2019: Montana Grain Growers Association Annual Convention Great Falls, MT 12/3-12/5

January 2020:

February 2020: Winter Meeting in DC 2/3-2/6; Craft Maltsters Guild Advanced Class in Craft Malt Production 2/3-2/6; Craft Malt Conference in Fort Collins, CO 2/7-2/8, Craft Maltsters Guild Annual Meeting 2/8; Canadian Barley Symposium and BRMBRI Triennial Meeting Winnipeg, AB 2/24-2/25

March 2020:

April 2020: World Beer Cup San Antonio, TX 4/17-4/19; Craft Brewers Conference San Antonio, TX 4/19-4/22

May 2020:

June 2020:

July 2020:

August 2020: MBAA and ASBC World Brewing Congress Minneapolis, MN 8/1-8/4

September 2020: Great American Beer Festival Denver, CO 9/23-9/25

Send upcoming events here...

Gordley Associates Monthly Update

--Met with President Buzz Mattelin in Washington, DC to finalize representation, administration, and communications contracts.

--Accompanied Buzz Mattelin to meetings with Montana Rep. Gianforte, Sen. Daines, and Sen. Tester.

--"Economics of Beer" presentation at Anheuser-Busch DC office.

--Circulated USMCA letter for signatures

--Joined AMBA & Beer Institute on letter regarding Surface Transportation Board

---Signed Grain Standards Act Testimony

---Circulated ABA Draft Group Comments on Part 430

---Signed Coalition Letter in Support of Senate NDAA Sec. 358

USDA Announces MFP Payment Details

On July 25 ^th , USDA announced the final details of the $16 billion trade aid package to support U.S. producers while the Trump Administration continues with its ongoing trade negotiations.

Read the press release here...

Market Facilitation Program (MFP): $14.5 billion in direct payments will be made to farmers in up to three tranches; with sign-up currently taking place at local Farm Serve Agency offices until December 6 ^th . The first payment will be made in mid-to-late august and will be the highest of either 50% of a producers expected payment or $15 per acre. Depending on the status of the trade negotiations and market conditions, the second and third tranches will be made in November and early January.

The per-acre county payment rates can be found here...

The application form can be found here...

Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP): $100 million will be distributed to 48 cooperating organizations – including $6.9 million to the U.S. Grains Council and $230,000 to the Brewers Association – to develop new markets and help mitigate the effects of tariff and non-tariff barriers of other countries.

Read more about funding allocations here...

Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP): $1.4 million will be used to purchase surplus commodities through the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for distribution through the Food Nutrition Service (FNS).

Read more about FPDP here...

"Economics of Beer"

NBGA Washington representative Tom Hance attended a National Economists Club “Economics of Beer” event that featured a presentation by Michael Uhrich, Chief Economist at the Beer Institute. The event was held at the Anheuser-Busch Washington, DC office facility and included discussion on barley and hops production and the impact of current trade issues on the beer industry value chain.

NBGA Joins Letter Urging Senate Minority Leader Schumer to Fill Democratic Vacancy on Surface Transportation Board

Barley growers and our industry value chain partners have a strong interest in railroad issues and policies. The Surface Transportation Board (STB), which oversees the railroad industry currently has a vacant Board seat that limits its ability to conduct necessary oversight activities. In an effort to have the vacancy filled, NBGA joined American Malting Barley Association and the Beer Institute on a letter to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) urging him to move quickly on nominating a candidate to fill the position of Deb Miller whose term expired at the end of 2018.

Read the letter here...

USMCA Letter

The Farmers for Free Trade coalition circulated a pro-USMCA letter with a goal of 1,000 grower signatures. The letter was signed by NBGA members, growers, and state organizations.

Read the letter here...

USDA Ag Trade Promotion

The USDA awarded an additional $100 million to organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program. The Brewers Association received $230,000 and the U.S. Grains Council received $6,883,310.

Read the press release here...

See ATP Funding Allocations here...

NBGA Signs Testimony for Grain Standards Act Hearing

Although issues specific to other crops are not addressed by this statement, the following groups – American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Farmers Union, National Sunflower Association, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Pea and Lentil Trade Association, and USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council – also agree that a properly functioning grain inspection system is critical, and on behalf of all of our organizations, we urge Congress to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act this year for at least five years. The 2015 re-authorization of the Grain Standards Act included many improvements and we hope to continue and build upon those improvements through this re-authorization.

Read the full testimony here...

Recent Field Days

July 11: Anheuser-Busch Grower Day in Minnesota

July 19: MillerCoors Barley Days in Montana

July 22-24: Northern Crops Institute Field Course

National Barley Growers Association

(202) 548-0734

belias@gordley.com

www.nationalbarley.com

Connect With Us: