Expanding Fertilizer Storage Loans for North Dakota Farmers
Fertilizer supply and storage constraints are creating significant challenges for farmers as rising yields increase nutrient demand while domestic production lags, forcing greater reliance on imports and a strained, just-in-time delivery system. Limited on-farm storage and ongoing transportation and weather disruptions often leave producers waiting during critical application windows, impacting efficiency and profitability. NDGGA supports expanding on-farm fertilizer storage as a practical solution to ease supply chain pressure, improve timing and cost management, and strengthen farm operations, and advocates for enhancements to FSA Farm Storage Facility Loans—including broader eligibility and a streamlined application process—to help farmers invest in needed infrastructure.
2026 DC Fly-In
The 2026 Fly-In, held on March 3–4 in Washington, D.C., gathered grower leaders to engage with Congress and federal agencies about key agricultural issues. This event provided a platform for discussing essential topics such as crop insurance, farm policy, conservation, trade, and infrastructure, all critical for wheat and barley producers in North Dakota. Key meetings included discussions with Congress members and USDA officials, emphasizing the importance of risk management, the upcoming Farm Bill, and conservation efforts. The NDGGA’s advocacy aims to ensure that the needs of local growers are prioritized in evolving agricultural policies, fostering a resilient agricultural economy.
Crop Insurance Boost
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act strengthened crop insurance by increasing federal premium subsidies and making higher levels of coverage more affordable for farmers. It raised subsidy rates for many policies and boosted support for programs like the Supplemental and Enhanced Coverage Options, lowering the cost of stronger protection. The NDGGA advocated for and supported these improvements, emphasizing the importance of a strong crop insurance program to help protect producers from weather risks and market volatility.
U.S Grains & BioProducts Council Marketing Conference & Annual Membership Meeting
In February, three members of the North Dakota Barley Council traveled to Panama for the 23rd International Marketing Conference hosted by the U.S. Grains Council, where discussions highlighted strong growth opportunities for U.S. barley in Southeast Asia, despite competition from Australia. Mexico was also identified as a key export market, with updates shared from a recent trade mission with Constellation Brands and Heineken focused on expanding future purchases. Another key topic was the development of a unified sustainability narrative, including efforts to collect baseline data from growers to support future modeling and strengthen market positioning. The group additionally had the unique opportunity to travel through the Panama Canal locks, gaining valuable insight into its role in global trade and agricultural exports.