CAWG and NAWG to Seek Federal Disaster Assistance
September 24, 2004
The Colorado Association of Wheat Growers (CAWG) has requested the Colorado Congressional Delegation to support federal disaster assistance to agricultural producers for production losses resulting from the prolonged drought and other weather related conditions.
CAWG and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) are seeking Congressional passage of a disaster program that provides relief for either the 2003 or 2004 crop years, either in federally-declared disaster counties or for producers who suffered at least a 35 percent loss on a program crop. This is similar to the disaster program approved by Congress in 2002.
Colorado winter wheat production in 2004 was 47.25 million bushels, down nearly 40 percent from the 10-year average crop of 78.6 million bushels and the second smallest crop since 1969. The estimate for the 2004 Colorado winter wheat crop is based upon 1.75 million acres being harvested with an average yield of 27 bushels per acre (compared to the 10-year average of 33.3 bu. per acre). However, an estimated 2.3 million acres were planted last fall for harvest in 2004. As a result, 550,000 acres were abandoned (planted but not harvested) and resulted in an abandonment rate of nearly 24 percent, or nearly double the 10-year average of 13 percent.
CAWG Executive Director Darrell Hanavan estimates the loss to Colorado winter wheat producers at approximately $67 million, based upon typical production calculated using a 10-year average for the abandonment rate and yield and the price projected for the 2004-05 marketing year.
A disaster program faces a tough battle in Congress due to a large federal deficit and the lack of support by other commodity organizations for disaster assistance for other program crops. "However, this is an election year and we have no chance for disaster assistance unless we make the request and fight for it," said CAWG President Brad Warren of Keenesburg.
Warren urges all Colorado wheat producers to contact U.S. Representative Marilyn Musgrave at (202) 225-4676 and U.S. Senators Wayne Allard at (202) 224-5941 and Ben Nighthorse Campbell at (202) 224-5852 to request their support for disaster assistance.
CAWG is a voluntary membership association that lobbies on behalf of wheat growers at the state and national levels of government and provides special programs and benefits to dues paying members. NAWG is a grass-roots organization that develops policy and advocates the interests of U.S. wheat growers.