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Sunflower Washington Update
Saturday, March 1, 2025
filed under: Marketing/Risk Management
By Tom Hance & Zoe Wallace*
Editor’s Note: This Washington report was written in early March. While most of 
its content remains timely and relevant, not every insight may be totally up to date, given the rate and scope of change taking place in our government.
Appropriations & Farm Bill
National Sunflower Association leaders recently were in Washington, D.C., advocating for key policy priorities related to the farm bill and appropriations. Growers from several sunflower producing states attended, with a focus on the Sunflower Breeding Initiative to address the declining availability of new varieties of hybrid sunflower seeds. Investing in scientific research is crucial to developing new, more versatile seed varieties that are tailored to the unique growing conditions of different states. This initiative is vital to reversing the trend of declining acreage and helping sunflower farmers remain competitive with imports.
The Association highlighted its priorities for the farm bill, including improvements to crop insurance, increased reference prices, and a voluntary update to base acreage. It remains unclear if or when we’ll see a new farm bill enacted as Congress will be focused on the Budget Reconciliation process for some time.
Additionally, the Association emphasized the need for EPA Endangered Species Act regulations to be based on sound science and to be workable for farmers. NSA’s representatives also stressed the importance of considering the commercial availability of suitable alternatives in EPA determinations.
The Association also met with officials from agencies such as the USDA’s ARS and APHIS departments to receive updates on important programs for the industry. During these meetings, topics such as the Sunflower Breeding Initiative and the Sclerotinia Initiative were discussed with ARS staff, while the blackbird depredation program and its importance to sunflower production were highlighted in discussions with APHIS.
House Budget & Appropriations
Uncertainty has been the defining theme in Washington, D.C., recently, with policies shifting on a daily, sometimes hourly, basis. Recently, the House passed its Budget Resolution by a narrow margin of 217-215. The Budget Resolution is non-binding but is a required step in the Budget Reconciliation process. The House Budget Resolution outlines budget cuts, including a total of $1.5 trillion in reductions, with $230 billion of those cuts coming from the House Agriculture Committee. These cuts, primarily target the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and, if enacted, would impact the farm bill and its prospects this year.
As of this (early March) writing, Congress was facing a deadline of March 14 to avoid a government shutdown when the current Continuing Resolution (CR) expired. House Republicans were hoping to pass another CR that runs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year (September 30), while Democrats wanted another short-term CR to allow for eventual enactment of new appropriations bills for FY2025.
USDA & Federal Agency Terminations
In February, the USDA saw significant cuts, including the termination of many probationary employees. This included staff in essential departments for the sunflower sector, such as the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). A probationary period for USDA scientists can last up to three years, meaning this decision could affect years of ongoing research projects.
On March 4, the U.S. Merit System Protection Board ruled that the USDA must reinstate all probationary employees for at least 45 days due to questions about the legality of how the terminations were processed.
Separately, the Trump Administration has signaled an intent to pursue a significant Reduction in Force across the government, potentially impacting up to 20% of the federal agency workforce. Members of Congress have been meeting with Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and communicating with cabinet Secretaries and President Trump with concerns and recommendations on the job cuts and the manner in which they are being implemented.
Some Congressional Republicans have suggested a more targeted and strategic approach including the use of an official rescission proposal to Congress that could potentially be included in the Budget Reconciliation package. This approach would give Congress a say in the cuts, make them less susceptible to legal challenge and more permanent.
Tariffs
Tariffs have also been a contentious issue in recent weeks, as anyone who watches the news already knows. In early February, a 10% tariff was placed on Chinese goods, while the potential 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico were postponed for one month. These tariffs were then imposed on March 4, just before the President’s State of the Union address. However, two days later, an exemption was granted for Canada and Mexico for any products covered under the USMCA agreement for at least a month while additional negotiations take place.
Ag Secretary Rollins has indicated an intent to ensure that farmers will be compensated to offset adverse impacts that occur as a result of tariffs and trade disruptions.
Seed Oils
The National Sunflower Association has joined a coalition of seed oil producers to combat misinformation surrounding seed oils and their health benefits.
NSA continues to advocate for policies that are based on sound science and supported by research. There have been no credible studies concluding that seed oils, including sunflower oil, pose a negative health risk. In fact, many studies have shown that seed oils offer numerous health benefits. These oils are unsaturated fats, which are known to support heart health, and are rich in key vitamins such as vitamin E. Also, seed oils have been shown to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol. The FDA has also approved seed oils for reducing risk of heart disease.
We’ve been sharing these science-based facts with members of Congress to highlight the significant risks that misinformation poses to key agricultural sectors and the livelihoods of farmers.
The NSA continues to offer support in educating the public, discrediting the myths and emphasizing the proven benefits of seed oils.
* Tom Hance and Zoe Wallace of Gordley Associates are Washington representatives for the National Sunflower Association.