Hearings to examine perspectives on reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act.

1[Senate Hearing 119-131]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                        S. Hrg. 119-13156                   PERSPECTIVES ON REAUTHORIZATION OF THE7                        U.S. GRAIN STANDARDS ACT89=======================================================================1011                                HEARING1213                               BEFORE THE1415                       COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE,16                        NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY1718                          UNITED STATES SENATE1920                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2122                             FIRST SESSION2324                               __________2526                             July 29, 20252728                               __________2930                       Printed for the use of the31           Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry3233[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3435                  Available on http://www.govinfo.gov/3637                                __________3839                   U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE4061-295 PDF                  WASHINGTON : 20254142-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4344           COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY4546                    JOHN BOOZMAN, Arkansas, Chairman4748MITCH McCONNELL, Kentucky            AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota49JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota            MICHAEL F. BENNET, Colorado50JONI ERNST, Iowa                     TINA SMITH, Minnesota51CINDY HYDE-SMITH, Mississippi        RICHARD J. DURBIN, Illinois52ROGER MARSHALL, Kansas               CORY BOOKER, New Jersey53TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Alabama            BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico54JAMES C. JUSTICE, West Virginia      RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia55CHARLES GRASSLEY, Iowa               PETER WELCH, Vermont56JOHN THUNE, South Dakota             JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania57DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                ADAM SCHIFF, California58JERRY MORAN, Kansas                  ELISSA SLOTKIN, Michigan5960               Fitzhugh Elder IV, Majority Staff Director61                    Jessica L. Williams, Chief Clerk62                Lauren Santabar, Minority Staff Director63                 Chu-Yuan Hwang, Minority Chief Counsel6465                            C O N T E N T S6667                              ----------6869                         Tuesday, July 29, 20257071                                                                   Page7273Hearing:7475Perspectives on Reauthorization of The U.S. Grain Standards Act..     17677                              ----------7879                    STATEMENTS PRESENTED BY SENATORS8081Boozman, Hon. John, U.S. Senator from the State of Arkansas......     182Klobuchar, Hon. Amy, U.S. Senator from the State of Minnesota....     28384                               WITNESSES8586Friant, Nicholas, Chairman, Grain Grades and Weights Committee,87  National Grain and Feed Association, Chanhassen, MN............     488Mikesh, Kia, President, American Association of Grain Inspection89  and Weighing Agencies, Fargo, ND...............................     690Wipf, Brandon, Board of Directors Member, American Soybean91  Association, Huron, SD.........................................     792                              ----------9394                                APPENDIX9596Prepared Statement:97    Friant, Nicholas.............................................    2298    Mikesh, Kia..................................................    3399    Wipf, Brandon................................................    37100101Question and Answer:102Friant, Nicholas:103    Written response to questions from Hon. Amy Klobuchar........    42104    Written response to questions from Hon. Adam Schiff..........    42105Mikesh, Kia:106    Written response to questions from Hon. Amy Klobuchar........    44107    Written response to questions from Hon. Charles Grassley.....    45108    Written response to questions from Hon. Adam Schiff..........    46109Wipf, Brandon:110    Written response to questions from Hon. Amy Klobuchar........    49111    Written response to questions from Hon. Charles Grassley.....    49112113    PERSPECTIVES ON REAUTHORIZATION OF THE U.S. GRAIN STANDARDS ACT114115                              ----------116117                         TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2025118119                                        U.S. Senate120          Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry121                                                    Washington, DC.122    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 3 p.m., in Room123328A, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. John Boozman,124Chairman of the Committee, presiding.125    Present: Senators Boozman [presiding], Hoeven, Ernst, Hyde-126Smith, Marshall, Thune, Klobuchar, Bennet, Smith, Warnock and127Fetterman.128129   STATEMENT OF HON. BOOZMAN, U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF130 ARKANSAS, CHAIRMAN, U.S. COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION,131                          AND FORESTRY132133    Chairman Boozman. Good afternoon. It is my privilege to134call the hearing to order. Senator Klobuchar will be with us in135just a few minutes.136    The only thing we have got to do around here is vote, and137we have got a lot of people down there doing the second vote138right now. I know you all are busy, and there is just so much139going on right now as we wrap up this week, so I think we are140going to go ahead and get started.141    It is my privilege to call the hearing to order. I thank my142colleagues for joining us and the witnesses before us taking143the time to be here today. Today, we will consider three144perspectives from expert witnesses regarding the need to145reauthorize critical components of the U.S. Grain Standards146Act, which are set to expire at the end of September.147    From farmers to consumers, our Nation's partners, our148Nation's agricultural system relies on the critical weighing149and inspection services provided by the U.S. Department of150Agriculture's Federal Grain Inspection Service and partner151agencies across the country. These services facilitate the152timely marketing of high-quality U.S. grain into the global153marketplace and help set the U.S. apart as a trusted,154consistent, and reliable source for the world's grain needs.155    Mr. Friant, Mrs. Mikesh, and Mr. Wipf, did I get that156right?157    Mr. Wipf. Wipf.158    Chairman Boozman. Wipf.159    Mr. Wipf. One syllable.160    Chairman Boozman. Well, you are like me. You are used to161being called everything.162    [Laughter.]163    Chairman Boozman. Wipf. Your testimony today will help164inform us how we can best proceed. We appreciate the engagement165for you and your organizations. As I always say, the best ideas166come from the ground up.167    We will also be working with USDA to ensure our farmers,168and the grain value chain continue to receive quality service169and that USDA has the authority and flexibility it needs to170adequately respond to any issue that may arise.171    I look forward to working with Ranking Member Klobuchar,172Members of this Committee, and the stakeholders who depend on173the U.S. grain standards functioning properly to ensure a174timely, productive, and bipartisan reauthorization of this act.175Thank you all again for being here today.176    As I said, Senator Klobuchar will be with us in just a177little bit, and so we will go ahead, though, and proceed with178our introductions.179    Yes, we were just about to introduce Mr. Friant, and so I180think you are going to do that for us.181182  STATEMENT OF HON. KLOBUCHAR, U.S. SENATOR FROM THE STATE OF183                           MINNESOTA184185    Senator Klobuchar. All right. I am going to just say a few186words. Sorry I am late, but we were doing our caucus event. I187also am going to have to leave a little early, but I am really188excited that you are having this hearing, Mr. Chairman, and to189focus on the grain inspection system, and I would especially190like to welcome Mr. Nick Friant from Chanhassen, Minnesota, who191is joined here today by his daughter Clara as well. Where are192you, Clara? Right back there. Thank you. Good school experience193there to bring home.194    Before we begin, I would like to underscore how damaging195USDA's recently announced reorganization could be to American196agriculture. I truly appreciate that Senator Boozman is having197a hearing, and we are going to hear from the Deputy Secretary198tomorrow because we had little analysis, zero consultation.199Amid all of this, a hearing on grain standards may seem200unusual, but this statute and the services provided by the201Federal Grain Inspection Service serve as a critical role in202the U.S. and global marketplace for grains and oilseeds, and we203have had bipartisan support for working on this issue in the204past and plan to have that keep happening in the future. Any205lapse in this authority, which is set to expire at the end of206September, will only create more uncertainty for farmers.207    Though the Grain Standards Act was first enacted in 1916,208the current grain inspection system was born out of the 1970s,209when the credibility of U.S. agricultural exports was seriously210called into question following a series of scandals in the211private inspection system. While American farmers were212producing high-quality grain, private individuals and companies213tasked with inspection were shortchanging customers abroad214through intentional mis-grading, inaccurately weighing grain,215and even bribery that led to several federal indictments and216convictions.217    Following those events, Congress created the Federal Grain218Inspection System to return integrity to the U.S. brand. The219official USDA Certificate of Inspection and Weighing helps220ensure American farmers are getting a fair price and guarantees221international customers can trust the products they are buying,222whether it is from Minnesota with our soybeans or rice from223Arkansas.224    Since this time, with various periodic updates, the trust225associated with the certificate has become the gold standard226for international customers and has made American farmers the227premier suppliers of high-quality grains and oilseeds. These228export markets have been a bright spot in our economy in recent229decades. With all the uncertainty going on with tariffs, it is230more important than ever that we maintain the integrity of our231grain inspection system today. I look forward to working with232you, Mr. Chairman, to do just that as we begin to work together233in a bipartisan way to reauthorize the legislation.234    Chairman Boozman. Thank you very much. I am going to go235ahead and introduce Mrs. Kia Mikesh, and Senator Hoeven will be236along at some point. He is busy working hard to get the ag bill237so that we can discuss it and hopefully get it voted out this238week.239    She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the240Committee today. A North Dakota native, Mrs. Mikesh is the241third generation of her family's agriculture inspection and242testing service. Her upbringing in the grain inspection field243has continued to make her an asset to several industry244organizations, including her current roles as President of245AAGIWA and Vice President of North Dakota Grain Inspection. She246is also Chair of USDA's FGIS Advisory Committee.247    Mrs. Mikesh's in-depth industry understanding and248leadership make her a fantastic representative of the grain249sector as we look to fine-tune FGIS. I am grateful to Mrs.250Mikesh's willingness to share her testimony today.251    Finally, I am going to go ahead and introduce Mr. Wipf.252Again, same situation as Senator Thune. He is busy running the253place, and he is one of our most active Members. Mr. Wipf254manages a soybean, corn, and wheat farm with his wife and255parents in South Dakota. I think your wife is with us, isn't256she? Very good. It is good to have you here. Upon graduation257from Dordt University in Iowa, he returned to the farm and led258their family business in expanding to alfalfa.259    Go ahead, John.260    [Laughter.]261    Chairman Boozman. I just told him that you are busy running262the place.263    Senator Klobuchar. Not too busy for a grain inspection264hearing.265    Senator Thune. Of all the super exciting topics we get to266deal with here, but it is an important one.267    Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member Klobuchar,268for having today's hearing. I appreciate the chance, as always,269to serve on this Committee and to advocate on behalf of South270Dakota's farmers and ranchers. Production agriculture is so271important to our state. It is our number one industry, and we272are very blessed to have people represented like Brandon Wipf,273so it is nice to have you here. I had an opportunity--he was in274town with the South Dakota Soybean Association and Growers here275just a few weeks ago. Thanks again for making the trip out to276D.C. and representing our state's soybean growers.277    I think, as you were starting to say, Mr. Chairman, he278served on the American Soybean Association board since 2017,279held an appointment to the CFTC Ag Advisory Council, has spoken280in support of U.S. agricultural trade on multiple continents,281and most recently appointed by Governor Larry Rhoden to a282vacancy in the South Dakota State Senate.283    Again, welcome, Brandon. Good to have you here. I think284they raise about 1,200 acres of soybeans, and on top of that,285some corn and wheat, among other things, with his family. I286think an engineer by training, correct? Making a difference on287so many levels in South Dakota agriculture and for the future288of our state and country. Brandon, welcome. Welcome back. We289look forward to hearing from you and our other panelists today,290too, on a subject that has great importance and relevance to291our state and to a lot of states across the country. Thank you.292    Chairman Boozman. Thank you.293    Mr. Friant, you are recognized for your testimony.294295   STATEMENT OF NICHOLAS FRIANT, CHAIRMAN, GRAIN GRADES AND296    WEIGHTS COMMITTEE, NATIONAL GRAIN AND FEED ASSOCIATION,297                         CHANHASSEN, MN298299    Mr. Friant. Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member Klobuchar, and300Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to301appear before you today to provide the perspective of the302National Grain and Feed Association on reauthorizing the U.S.303Grain Standards Act. I am Nick Friant, the Director of Raw304Material Quality and Regulatory at Cargill and Chairman of305NGFA's Grain Grades and Weights Committee.306    Cargill is proud to be a longtime participant in the U.S.307grain export system and member of NGFA. Since 1896, NGFA has308represented grain industry members that operate more than 8,000309facilities. This includes farmer-owned cooperatives and310multinational grain exporters. Together, we rely on a strong,311consistent, and transparent official inspection and weighing312system to deliver confidence and value across the global supply313chain.314    We urge Congress to reauthorize the U.S. Grain Standards315Act in a timely and bipartisan manner. Doing so will provide316certainty to farmers, grain handlers, and international317customers who depend on the integrity of the U.S. official318grain inspection system.319    I want to focus on two core issues that are top priorities320for our industry in this reauthorization. First, investment in321grain grading technology to speed and improve the inspection322process; and second, strengthening the emergency waiver323authority to ensure continuity and flexibility in grain export324inspection services.325    The U.S. grain inspection system has long set a global326benchmark for quality and reliability. While the basic327framework of grain standards has remained stable over time, the328international grain market has become increasingly competitive.329Thus, our inspection and grading systems must evolve330accordingly. Today, FGIS still relies on legacy technologies331for determining grade factors that ultimately influence a332commodity's value and fungibility. FGIS must prioritize333research, development, and validation of modern grain grading334technologies that improve accuracy, speed, and consistency.335    The agency should actively collaborate with industry and336academia to identify innovative tools that can reduce human337error and improve grading objectivity. Furthermore, we believe338that new technologies can help the agency drive efficiencies,339reduce costs, and address the staffing challenges it faces, all340of which ultimately benefit U.S. farmers, agribusinesses, and341rural economies. We believe the USDA should allocate dedicated342resources, both staff and funding, to expedite this process.343    NGFA and its members are ready and willing to partner with344USDA and FGIS to pilot and implement new technologies, provided345there is a clear pathway for scientific validation,346standardization, and eventual deployment. Therefore, we have347worked with our partners at AAGIWA and the American Soybean348Association on language for the U.S. Grain Standards349Reauthorization Act that will provide FGIS with the necessary350tools to focus their resources on this important issue. We351encourage the Committee to approve the proposal.352    The second central area we encourage Congress to address is353the need for enhanced flexibility in issuing emergency waivers354of official inspection requirements during service disruptions.355The 2015 reauthorization wisely included provisions requiring356FGIS to act transparently when official services are disrupted357at export ports.358    Let me be clear. The U.S. industry strongly supports the359requirement for mandatory official inspection and weighing of360export grain. It is fundamental to preserving market integrity361and the credibility of our supply chain. During natural362disasters or other force majeure events, or in rare instances363where buyers and sellers mutually agree to waive inspection due364to service disruptions, the act must allow for pragmatic365flexibility.366    We recommend that Congress revise the act to clarify the367definition of emergency and authorize FGIS to issue conditional368waivers. Further, the waiver would be applied provided that the369buyer and seller voluntarily agree, the absence of an official370inspection does not impair the transaction, and such a waiver371would not undermine the objectives of the act. Establishing a372transparent and predictable contingency plan for future373disruptions would provide exporters, importers, and customers374with the confidence that the flow of U.S. grain can continue375during unexpected challenges without compromising the overall376integrity of the system. While I have highlighted two core377priorities, we are ready to discuss other elements of the act,378including advisory committee functionality, clarifying the use379of user fees, and user fee cap reform.380    The U.S. Grain Inspection System is a foundation of our381country's reputation as a reliable agricultural supplier.382Timely reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act,383combined with the enhancements we have outlined today, will384ensure that our inspection system continues to meet the high385expectation of U.S. producers and our global customers.386    As Chairman of the NGFA's Grain Grades and Weights387Committee, and on behalf of Cargill and the broader industry, I388would like to express my sincere appreciation for your389oversight and bipartisan leadership on this issue. We look390forward to working with you to modernize and strengthen this391vital act. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today, and392I will welcome your questions.393    [The prepared statement of Mr. Friant can be found on pages39422-32 in the appendix.]395    Chairman Boozman. Thank you. Mrs. Mikesh.396397  STATEMENT OF KIA MIKESH, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF398       GRAIN INSPECTION AND WEIGHING AGENCIES, FARGO, ND399400    Mrs. Mikesh. Good morning. Thank you, Chairman Boozman and401Ranking Member Klobuchar, for prioritizing this important issue402and working together to hold this bipartisan hearing. My name403is Kia Mikesh, and I am privileged to serve as the President of404the American Association of Grain Inspection and Weighing405Agencies. I am also the Vice President of North Dakota Grain406Inspection, the third generation of my family, to help lead the407business.408    AAGIWA's members are agencies delegated and designated by409USDA's Federal Grain Inspection Service to weigh and inspect410the Nation's grain. From the public agencies, such as the State411Departments of Agriculture of Washington and Alabama, to412private agencies like my own, AAGIWA's members work alongside413USDA's FGIS to provide essential support to the agricultural414economy. The U.S. Grain Standards Act authorizes this unique415public-private partnership to carry out its uniform standards416and export grain inspection mandate.417    While FGIS and certain state agencies weigh and inspect418every load of grain on an export vessel, state and private419agencies will conduct nine times as many inspections before420grain ever reaches port. At all hours of the day and night, our421inspectors are at railyards, grain elevators, and in the lab.422    Yes, we work to maintain trust in U.S. grain contracts, but423we are also testing for toxins harmful to Americans and our424livestock herds. The export inspection mandate underlies425official inspection, but it also allows a uniform voluntary426inspection system to provide trust in U.S. grain, no matter427whether it is destined for export or for domestic feed, food,428or biofuels production. The significance of this system might429not be obvious, but it helps explain why America remains the430world's leading agricultural exporter.431    Before the 1976 act, our grain markets were inefficient,432even chaotic. Markets did not trust U.S. grades and weights,433which meant that producers and agribusinesses earned lower434prices abroad than their grain was really worth. Today, thanks435to official inspection, U.S. grain standards and quality are436the gold standard of the world. Buyers will pay a premium for437American grain, giving our farmers and exporters a critical438competitive edge.439    American standards are the universal reference for grain440contracts. Even transactions that never touch our country rely441on them. Our system is so successful that changes to the act442should always be weighed very cautiously, but the Committee443should also know that cracks are beginning to show, and444maintenance is required. Grain inspection has relied on the445same basic technology for 100 years. As the ag supply chain has446become more efficient, inspection remains reliant on an ever-447shrinking pool of highly trained human inspectors. It is time-448and personnel-intensive. The lack of technological advancement449is creating unnecessary costs to taxpayers, exporters,450producers, and our own agencies. We have become the bottleneck.451    Without new technology, the consequences could be stark.452The rigorous standards that were yesterday's privilege will be453tomorrow's burden, simply because we lack modern tools to454implement them efficiently. On the other hand, the efficiencies455reaped by grain inspection technology would reduce costs in the456food supply chain and the direct costs to taxpayers of457maintaining the inspection system.458    The barriers to new technology reflect the fact that FGIS459and official agencies have a near monopoly on the data and460expertise necessary to develop technology, but we are not R&D461agencies nor venture capitalists. We need to be able to work462flexibly with the private sector to find solutions to our463unique problems and foster the conditions necessary for464investors to take risks in our field.465    FGIS's dedicated staff have made a heroic effort to advance466technology, but they need more than resources. They need467flexibility that reflects the realities of the unusual small468market for inspection technology. I urge the Committee to469reauthorize the act with a small, modest toolbox of new470authorities for FGIS to speed technology development.471Specifically, Congress should clarify in the statute that FGIS472may leverage official agencies for R&D, provide other473transactions authority for inspection technology research and474development, and establish a modest dedicated funding account475through user fees and appropriations to support the evaluation476and deployment of new technology. With these tools, FGIS can477coordinate flexible partnerships with research institutions,478technology developers, official agencies, and the grain trade479so that promising technologies can be developed outside480government, validated in the real world, and approved quickly481once they reach FGIS.482    This reauthorization is an opportunity to modernize the483most trusted inspection system in the world, ensuring it484remains competitive, cost-effective, and resilient.485    I want to thank the Committee for recognizing the urgency486of this issue and for your ongoing support of American487agriculture and the inspection system that underpins it.488    I look forward to your questions.489    [The prepared statement of Mrs. Mikesh can be found on490pages 33-36 in the appendix.]491    Chairman Boozman. Mr. Wipf.492493STATEMENT OF BRANDON WIPF, BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBER, AMERICAN494                 SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION, HURON, SD495496    Mr. Wipf. Good afternoon, Chairman Boozman, Ranking Member497Klobuchar, and distinguished Members of the Senate Committee on498Agriculture. It is an honor to join you today to testify on499behalf of the American Soybean Association regarding this500Committee's review of the U.S. Grain Standards Act. My name is501Brandon Wipf, and I am a soybean farmer from South Dakota. I502also have the privilege of serving on the board of directors of503ASA, which represents over 500,000 U.S. soybean farmers across504the 30 main soy-producing states.505    Soybeans are the largest ag export in the U.S., and robust506international trade is a priority for our industry. Market507access and relationship maintenance would not be possible were508it not for the trusted and reliable grain inspection and509marketing efforts undertaken by the Agriculture Marketing510Services Federal Grain Inspection Service, as authorized by the511U.S. Grain Standards Act.512    For most soybean farmers, our main interaction with FGIS,513its designated or delegated agencies, and the U.S. grain514standards are at our local grain elevator. When I deliver my515soybeans to the elevator, they are tested, sorted, and516consolidated into larger lots for eventual shipment. The grain517standards determine the price a farmer like me receives for518their soybeans at the elevator, and I know the official grain519grades provide our international customers with the knowledge520that the commodities they receive have been assessed for521quality, purity, moisture, and soundness.522    Recently, the industry conducted a series of conversations523with stakeholders across the soybean sector, including farmers,524inspectors, regulators, exporters, and international buyers525about the value and perception of FGIS and the U.S. grain526standards. While the full results of these conversations are527still being evaluated, initial feedback shows that the value of528the U.S. grain standards and federal inspection is extremely529high for the soybean export value chain and for our530international customers.531    Global customers consider FGIS to be the gold standard for532grain grading. Inspections carry the weight of the U.S.533Government, creating peace of mind for international customers534and providing impartiality that private inspections may lack.535Additionally, the standards are simple, and customers rely on536that simplicity to mitigate risk. The ability to effectively537hedge through futures markets is a key differentiator for U.S.538origin soybeans. The longstanding simplicity and consistency of539U.S. grain standards have allowed for the development of540extensive futures and derivatives markets for U.S. products541that promote true price discovery.542    The U.S. soybean industry has a strong relationship with543FGIS, and when issues arise, we can address them in a manner544that meets the needs of U.S. farmers while maintaining the545integrity of those standards. Most recently, the U.S. soy546industry worked with FGIS to review and remove soybeans of547other color, or SBOC, as an official grade determining factor548under the U.S. standard for soybeans. This was due to a rising549occurrence of SBOC, resulting from a new soybean seed variety550that had a tendency to produce off-color seed coats. This had551no impact on the soybeans' protein, oil content, or quality,552but farmers like me were being penalized because of the seed553coat's color.554    In response to rising levels of SBOC, FGIS conducted a555study on the functionality of protein and oil content of556soybean samples containing varying amounts of SBOC. The results557found no significant differences in the protein or oil content558as compared to samples not containing this phenomenon. However,559marketing concerns did remain, and FGIS took multiple meetings560with industry, solicited feedback, and provided a notice of561proposed rulemaking to remove SBOC from the U.S. standard for562soybeans.563    In July 2023, a final rule was issued removing SBOC as a564grade-determining factor for U.S. soybeans, a win for soybean565farmers and an example of industry collaboration. Changing the566standard for soybeans benefited farmers, exporters, and567international customers by providing additional clarity and568ensuring our trading partners knew that no matter what, they569were still receiving the soybeans that they required.570    Reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act is vital571for the continued success of U.S. soy in the international572marketplace. On behalf of ASA, I thank the Committee for their573timely attention to the expiring provisions of the U.S. Grain574Standards Act. We appreciate the opportunity to share the575importance of the FGIS system and look forward to working with576this Committee to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act this577year.578    Thank you, Senators, and I look forward to your questions.579    [The prepared statement of Mr. Wipf can be found on pages58037-40 in the appendix.]581    Chairman Boozman. Leader Thune.582    Senator Thune. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be very583brief. We have got other Members here who want to ask584questions, but I could just say I think we all recognize the585importance of promoting U.S. agriculture on the world stage,586which is why we must use every available tool to facilitate587international trade to support farmers, grain processors, and588exporters.589    As the United States engages and continues to engage in590negotiations with our trading partners, we need to ensure that591U.S. grains are seen as a reliable and high-quality product by592foreign buyers. The Federal Grain Inspection Service works to593maintain these standards so that our grain remains a reliable594purchasing option.595    Mr. Wipf, could you maybe just explain in your view what596impact on soybean markets in South Dakota and across the597country would happen if the Grain Standards Act is allowed to598expire?599    Mr. Wipf. Well, customers that buy from us do so under the600auspices of these rules, and if those are allowed to lapse or601if the funding for them is compromised, I think it would602compromise the confidence that international buyers have in603what they are purchasing from us. We urge a timely604reauthorization.605    Senator Thune. Reauthorization. Okay. All right.606    A follow-up, and to anybody on the panel, but by providing607impartial inspections and weighing services, FGIS has created a608transparent, trustworthy system. I think we all agree that that609system reduces the chances of price disparity and eliminates610quality discrepancies. I say this to all of you. How have you611seen the Federal Grain Inspection Service contribute to global612grain price discovery, and what would be the potential613consequences for international markets if FGIS services lapsed?614    Mr. Wipf. Well, you know, uncertainty is kind of a way of615life in agriculture when you depend on the weather, but we try616to do everything we can to remove as much uncertainty as we617can, and we also understand those are the same priorities for618our international buyers. Anytime you buy anything from a shirt619to a car to a cargo of soybeans, you want to know what you are620paying and what you are getting for it. If you know both of621those things, I think you have a very good relationship. These622rules are imperative to the continuation of our good623relationships abroad.624    Senator Thune. Okay. Others? Mrs. Mikesh?625    Mrs. Mikesh. As part of my position, I work a lot with626different associations to host trade groups that are coming627over from all across the globe, and part of my presentation is628going over what actually is the official grain inspection and629the services that we do. What we do is unlike anywhere else in630the world. After I am done with this hour-long presentation,631the sparkle in their eyes, I know that sounds crazy, but they632get so excited to buy our grain and the assurances that they633are going to receive what it is that they are paying for, and634they are always extremely impressed by what our system is.635    Senator Thune. Perfect. Thank you. Mr. Friant?636    Mr. Friant. I think, Senator, we have heard a couple times637in the testimonies and in your remarks, the international buyer638holds that USDA certificate as the gold standard. They want639that when they buy from exporters like Cargill or other members640of NGFA. If we lose the integrity and the guarantee of that641certificate, I think it really hurts us as being recognized as642that reliable supplier of quality grain.643    Senator Thune. Well, we want to be the reliable quality644supplier and have people excited to buy. Thank you, Mr.645Chairman.646    Chairman Boozman. Senator Hyde-Smith.647    Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.648    We know that those who buy U.S. grain, both domestically649and internationally, must trust our grain inspection system650functions properly. We know how important that is, and I651certainly appreciate all of you willing to testify today and652give us some insight on that.653    This trust in a functional system ensures that farmers,654merchandisers, and end users all know they are operating within655a system that is transparent, that is consistent, and it is656science-based. I hear regularly from farmers and grain elevator657operators in Mississippi who rely on the grain inspection658system to protect the value of their grain and to ensure that659they are competing on a level playing field with everyone else.660The Grain Inspection Advisory Committee plays an important role661in helping advise the Federal Grain Inspection Service navigate662the technical and policy challenges of implementing the Grain663Standards Act.664    Mr. Friant, I am going to let you take this first one. I665agree with your testimony that the Grain Inspection Advisory666Committee serves a critical role in advising FGIS, and I667appreciate your service and commitment on that committee and668your enthusiasm as well. Given the technical nature of the669grain standards and the weighing systems, the advisory670committee's role is essential for ensuring that FGIS actions671continue to facilitate the export of the world's highest672quality grain grown by producers in Mississippi and across the673country.674    Are there any recommendations you might make to improve how675FGIS incorporates the advice and counsel by the advisory676committee into the agency's decision-making process? Is there677something that you would like to suggest today while you have678our attention that we can listen to you on?679    Mr. Friant. Well, thank you very much, Senator, for the680question. I appreciate that. The advisory committee is near and681dear to my heart, having served three times and participate as682a member of the public as often as possible. It has been a683great public opportunity for industry and service providers and684producers for public record to talk about the needs and what we685want to see the agency do. We have seen some good work come out686of that, and we have some recommendations in our testimony687around how we can ensure that members are appointed to the688committee in a timely manner.689    One of the areas that the committee has struggled with over690the last handful of years is folks' term is a three-year term691limit, and they roll off, and new folks are not nominated in692time to be seated on the committee. We want to see some693provisions around how existing members can stay on the694committee, if their time expires at three years, until a new695person has been appointed and nominated to serve and replace696that person on the committee.697    Senator Hyde-Smith. Yes, it makes sense that you need that698continuity, and you certainly do not need the void and the699spaces there.700    I have a little more time left. I would like to highlight701the importance of protecting the trade surplus in the United702States has historically maintained the grain and oilseeds.703While overall agriculture trade surplus has evaporated into704what USDA now projects to be a $49 billion deficit in 2025,705grain continues to be the bright spot for agriculture. You706know, in fact, America enjoys $65 billion of trade surplus on707U.S. grains and oilseeds, very exciting.708    This is a credit to our farmers who continue to grow the709highest quality grain in the world, and it is a credit to our710transportation system, our infrastructure, including the711critical American waterways, highways, and rail systems that712ship this out. It is a result of decades of diligent work to713develop and to grow these markets and to protect these markets.714    Mississippi farmers contribute significantly to our715country's grain production, particularly through crops like716rice, soybeans, and corn. These crops are exported down the717Mississippi River and through the Gulf of America, let me get718that right, which supports several grain transport operations719in my home state. Ensuring we maintain the integrity of our720inspection system is of paramount importance to me, especially721as it relates to our export markets.722    This question is for all of you. What are some of the723challenges that we face with grain exports? What can we do in724the Grain Standards Act's reauthorization to help overcome725those challenges? I am a little bit over, but if you guys are726allowed to answer that right now.727    Mrs. Mikesh. Thank you for that question. One of the things728that you will likely hear each of us talk about is the need for729developing technology. One of those reasons is down at the730exports, the port locations, there is not consistency of the731volume that there used to be. I remember when I was younger, we732would have--it was always harvest time at harvest time. We had733to staff up for that, and then usually there was natural734attrition, and then you would get through the summers.735    Well, because of just how the market has changed, there are736a lot of ups and downs as far as volume. One thing that we737really think could help in maintaining consistency is bringing738forth more technology within the grain inspection system so739that we can rely on this technology and more consistency among740people. That is something that we think could really help.741    Senator Hyde-Smith. Thank you.742    Mr. Wipf. The only thing that comes to mind for me is, as743farmers have added on-farm storage for grain, it has changed744the profile of when that grain comes to market. If there are745areas where government can target funds to help farmers in746certain areas, to plus up their storage, to maybe make it a747little bit more predictable, and then also education for748farmers because using that storage effectively does not happen749by accident. You do have to know what you are doing, so I think750there is an educational piece there too. Thank you.751    Senator Hyde-Smith. Very good points.752    Mr. Friant. I think just a timely and bipartisan753reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standard Act. It ensures that754continuity and consistency of the program. Then to agree with755my co-witness, Mrs. Mikesh, we have talked about it for a756couple years now, technology. What technology can we adapt and757adopt for grain grading? I think it is paramount.758    Senator Hyde-Smith. What kind of technology are you759referring to?760    Mr. Friant. I might defer to Kia, but we have been looking761at a lot of different possibilities. I think the biggest one--762and frankly, I have been hearing about it since the first day I763walked into Cargill over 20 years ago, and it is visual imaging764technology, to be able to look at a grain sample and say, what765is the level of damage?766    Senator Hyde-Smith. Got you. Yes, very important and could767speed up things. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.768    Chairman Boozman. Senator Hoeven.769    Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I did not get her770right at the beginning, but I definitely want to take just a771few minutes to talk about Kia from Fargo, North Dakota. What772did you do with your buddy from Grand Forks? Is he around here?773Okay, there he is. Good. Okay, glad you are both here. I want774to welcome you both and just make sure that if somebody did not775bring it up sooner, that Kia is third generation in the grain776inspection business, which is pretty cool, Vice President of777North Dakota Grain Inspection, but President of the American778Association of Grain Inspection and Weighing Agencies at a very779young age, I must say, so pretty awesome.780    Her grandfather, Steve Adams, began his career at North781Dakota Grain Inspection shortly after its founding in 1968, and782I think it is pretty awesome that you are following in your783grandfather's footsteps.784    I am pro grandpas----785    [Laughter.]786    Senator Hoeven [continuing]. and I am pro grandkids787following in grandpa's footsteps. So is the Chairman. You can788tell by looking he is a grandpa too, right? Yes. Just because789he looks real happy, not because he looks old or anything like790that. It is so awesome that you are here, and obviously, your791input is very important, along with your colleagues as far as792the Grain Inspection Service.793    I am actually going to shift gears a little. I thought794Senator Hyde-Smith, who was in the cattle business, had great795questions on the grain side, obviously knows agriculture. I796want to ask what you all are hearing from our farmers and our797ranchers in terms of grain sales.798    You know, in our part of the world, obviously they are799combining soybeans, corn, other crops. Particularly for some of800the younger producers and those that are more leveraged, they801have to sell right off the combine or at least contract. You802know, we are hearing concerns, you know, whether it is corn or803soybeans or other crops.804    Just talk to us a little bit on what you are hearing in805terms of the marketing of those crops and just any ideas you806have along those lines to make sure that we are not only well807informed but doing whatever we can to be helpful.808    Kia, we get to start with you because you are from North809Dakota. Then we are going to go to South Dakota out of810deference to the Majority Leader. Then Nick, you are the811cleanup hitter. You look like a cleanup hitter, like you can812put it out of the park.813    Mrs. Mikesh. Thank you so much for that question. Grain814sales are not something that is within my expertise. However,815what I have been very proud of that all the grain inspection816agencies like ours do is we help make sure that there is817consistency in the grading that is done. If you are in North818Dakota and there is a grain elevator selling their soybeans or819their corn, and it is going out to the PNW, they are meeting820the consistency of when they are having it graded at the origin821versus destination, and that is something that is paramount to822make sure that you are able to sell your grain properly and823give you the best outcome that you can have. From my824perspective, that is one thing that we do.825    Mr. Wipf. Well, I will start, Senator Hoeven, by saying I826was not invited here because of my expertise on getting it827right, marketing my grain every time. Some days you feel like a828hero, and some days you just do not.829    Discussions amongst farmers about the sales that they make830are sometimes--it is a difficult topic because it comes right831down to how much money are you making, and when you grow up on832a farm, you do not talk about that. We are taught to be very833humble about things. When you get it right, you maybe do not834talk about that. When you really blow it, you would be sure835to----836    Senator Hoeven. An aggressive farmer is one that looks at837the other guy's shoes instead of his own shoes.838    Mr. Wipf. Yes. You know, you will go down to the coffee839shop and you are more likely to talk about the things that you840have gotten wrong than right, counterintuitively, so it is841sometimes hard to know exactly where my peers are at. I am on a842learning curve just like everybody else. I am about 15 years in843now as a farmer, and every year I learn something a little bit844more.845    Basically, the thing that I try to tell younger producers846is lay off as much risk as you can because there is no shortage847of uncertainty in our business. The ability to use futures848markets, which in turn rely on the issue before the Committee849here today, to hedge that risk is, I just cannot stress the850importance of that enough.851    Senator Hoeven. Then tell me, how you are marketing your852crop this year?853    Mr. Wipf. Well, I am probably 40 to 50 percent sold on my854row crops.855    Senator Hoeven. You did that earlier in the year?856    Mr. Wipf. Yes, staged out throughout the year. We are right857in the middle of wheat harvest right now, so I am not that858popular with my dad, by the way, taking a quick trip to D.C.859this time of year. No, we are fine. We are selling some of that860right off the combine because we are looking at a really big861corn crop potentially coming in. We are going to need all the862storage we have.863    Senator Hoeven. Are you having any trouble moving that864crop?865    Mr. Wipf. No. I might not like the price I am getting right866now, but there is no trouble.867    Senator Hoeven. That is not a function of the inspection868service and----869    Mr. Wipf. No. No, sir. No. I would love to be able to sit870on it and wait for maybe a little better price, but we do see a871pretty big crop coming this fall, and we are going to need all872of the space on our farm available for that just to keep the873combines moving.874    Senator Hoeven. You are moving the wheat right off the875combine. You are not having trouble getting that contracted?876    Mr. Wipf. No, sir. No.877    Senator Hoeven. Okay. All right. You are making room for878row crop with the idea you may hold it?879    Mr. Wipf. Yes. Just because corn in particular is a high-880volume crop, you want on-farm storage so you can keep that881combine moving. If you are in line at the elevator waiting, you882do not get much done in a day.883    Senator Hoeven. Yes.884    Mr. Wipf. Yes.885    Senator Hoeven. Okay.886    Mr. Friant. I am not sure how the cleanup hitter is going887to follow that one up.888    Senator Hoeven. Well, you see it directly, right, in terms889of buying crop and what farmers are doing. What are you seeing?890    Mr. Friant. In my role at Cargill, I do not deal with the891buying and selling. They call me when we have a problem with892the quality or the Grain Standards Act or trying to manage893inventory and storage. When I have market questions, I candidly894walk over to the trading floor and talk to them and let them895handle it. I think it is----896    Senator Hoeven. Last time you did that, what did they tell897you?898    Mr. Friant. They told me to go away.899    [Laughter.]900    Mr. Friant. Stay in my lane. I think that is the beauty of901the U.S. Grain Standards Act, right? Kia kind of alluded to it,902as did Brandon, right? Whether it was riding the truck with my903dad to deliver to Minooka Grain and Lumber in my hometown, or904when I was grading grain in Topeka, Kansas, or when I worked in905New Orleans at Reserve at our export terminal, U.S. No. 2906soybean was the same. U.S. No. 2 was the same in Minooka,907Topeka, New Orleans, and the international buyer. That908consistency, and we heard about it, that is how, you know, the909international market and the domestic market uses it for price910discovery, so we know it is going to be the same. I think that911is the beauty of the U.S. standards is it does not matter where912you are at in the U.S. and for most world buyers, you know that913you are getting U.S. No. 2 soybean, and you have got that full914backing of that Federal Grain Inspection Service certificate.915    Senator Hoeven. Yes, with the indulgence, Chairman, one916final question. Are we doing a good job on the consistency? Are917other countries doing a good job on consistency, or is that an918advantage we have in the international markets?919    Mr. Friant. I would say, yes, we are doing a very good job920with consistency. We think, as we have shared in our921testimonies, there are some things, particularly around922technology that we could do that would help the consistency,923help the efficiency. Yes, overall, I think we are doing a very924good job. That is why we continue to say today and always that925U.S. certificate is the gold standard. I think we are probably926biased on this panel that we are better in the U.S. than our927foreign competitors, and I think there have been some studies928that show the value of the U.S. certificate and the U.S., you929know, grain supply chain being reliable and consistent.930    Mrs. Mikesh. I would agree. I see that we are having931consistency across the Nation. However, in order to obtain that932consistency, it takes a lot of time to grade that grain. When933our team members are out at grain elevators, they are--when I934was younger, I should say, I used to see where a train would935take a few days to load. That gives a lot of time for a grain936inspector to sit there and pick through the grain, pick through937each individual kernel. Now we are sitting at grain elevators938that will load 115 rail cars in under five hours. Even if you939have multiple inspectors there, there is not always a lot of940space, so that is difficult as well. It is hard to keep up with941the loading process.942    That is where technology can come into play and help as an943aid in us to be able to consistently grade that grain and as944well as help places like Cargill and farmers so that they can945keep their grain moving at a fast pace.946    Senator Hoeven. Thanks again to all of you, appreciate it.947Thank you, Mr. Chair.948    Mr. Wipf. Well, I was just going to say, do not take my949word for it. I will tell you what I see at foreign ports when I950visited there and visited with the management and the blue-951collar folks unloading those vessels. I have seen the issues952they deal with with some of our competitors' cargos, and they953very much prefer when they are unloading a cargo from a U.S.954destination. It does not matter whether it is the PNW, off the955Gulf, off the Eastern Seaboard. They know they are getting that956consistent product because of our grading standards.957    Senator Hoeven. That is really good to hear. Again, thanks958to all of you.959    Chairman Boozman. Senator Marshall.960    Senator Marshall. All right. Thank you, Chairman, and961welcome to our guests today.962    I want to probably focus on trade for the first half. The963tariffs get all the ink, but the non-tariff barriers is my964biggest concern when it comes to agriculture. I want to ask965some questions regarding how do our grain standards help966protect us from non-tariff barriers? And/or do you have967examples when you feel like other countries have used that968against us one way or another, that they are not accepting our969grading system? Maybe, Mrs. Mikesh, you would not mind starting970if you have a thought.971    Mrs. Mikesh. Thank you, Senator. Yes, from what I see in my972perspective with an official grain inspection is if there are973complaints overseas about any shipments of grain, it is974wonderful having the FGIS and USDA backing on that. FGIS has975individuals that can work through that. Since everything that976we do, the paper we write on, the certificates we do, is all977considered federal property. As those questions come through,978we are able to kind of go backward and see down to exactly when979a stowage exam of looking inside a container was done and what980was found during that. I think that that is something that has981been very beneficial for our trading partners across the seas982that they know that they can figure out what is going on, and983it is a little more difficult for that to be used when we have984very good records of what happened for those shipments.985    Senator Marshall. Despite that, are there examples, though,986when they ignore our grading system and reject our grains?987    Mrs. Mikesh. That is something that I do not have expertise988in. I apologize.989    Senator Marshall. That is fine. Mr. Wipf, any comments?990    Mr. Wipf. I had heard conversations about sometimes a991foreign buyer might have become accustomed to getting maybe a992little bit better than what the grade actually is. Then if you993ever deliver at the grade, then they feel they have a994complaint. You say, well, okay, what were you looking for? You995know, let's work through this. They describe what they wanted,996and you say, well, you just described No. 1 corn, and you paid997for No. 2 corn. It is very nice to have this grading system to998fall back on and say, you want better? We have better. Let's999have that conversation. It is just that level playing field and1000that kind of ``good fences make good neighbors'' sort of rules1001that we can all agree on.1002    Senator Marshall. Okay. Mr. Friant, anything to add?1003    Mr. Friant. Yes. I mean, I think we would make the case--1004and I, through my craft, dealt with non-tariff trade barriers.1005We make the case that is why we have the U.S. grain standards,1006right? The U.S. grain standards help address some of those1007concerns, whether it is damage or insects or other quality1008factors. That is why we have them.1009    I think Mrs. Mikesh made a great point. We have got that1010backing. If there is a complaint from a foreign buyer, there is1011an official process. FGIS gets involved and they re-look at the1012sample and provide an official report or a formal report. In my1013experience, almost every single time, we proved that we loaded1014what we said we were going to load, and the quality met what1015the buyer was expecting to get.1016    Senator Marshall. Okay. With the time I have remaining, I1017want to kind of put on my MAHA hat here and give you all a1018chance to brag too. I think there was a misconception out there1019that we are not testing grain, that we are not testing what we1020milled for--let's maybe focus on pesticides for a second. I1021think that is the biggest concern. Just describe what we are1022doing and what those standards look like. What type of1023reassurance would you give my daughter, the mother of my two1024grandsons, that American grain is safe? Maybe go in reverse1025order, Mr. Friant. Friant, go first, perhaps.1026    Mr. Friant. Sure. I would start with, I eat the products1027made out of the grain. I am happy to feed them to my family. My1028daughter is here today without----1029    Senator Marshall. So far, so good?1030    Mr. Friant. Yes. We have a really strong system here,1031right? EPA regulates, FDA enforces. We have strong programs to1032ensure that proper residue limits are set, and they are1033monitored, and we do not see those in our supply chain.1034    Senator Marshall. Okay. Mr. Wipf.1035    Mr. Wipf. Yes. My role as the farmer is really to1036understand the pesticide labels, make sure that I am applying1037those right, and then to every extent that I can, invest in the1038latest technology so that I am able to apply timely and1039properly. As long as I am doing that, that is kind of the last1040stage I have in it, but I stand behind every bushel that I1041produce.1042    Senator Marshall. Then you take it to the elevator, I am1043going to say elevator, maybe take it different places, and the1044grain is tested there for residues.1045    Mr. Wipf. I do not believe each load. I am not really sure1046at what point that that happens. The ticket I get when I dump a1047truck of grain mainly deals with moisture, maybe protein1048content, mainly things that deal with will this grain spoil too1049quickly, or will it stay in condition until it gets to the end1050customer?1051    Senator Marshall. Right.1052    Mr. Wipf. Perhaps there is somebody better than me to1053address your question.1054    Mrs. Mikesh. Thank you for that question. That is something1055that I am very passionate about as far as making sure that the1056quality of our grain is there.1057    Some of the factors that we look for that are important in1058respect to what you are discussing is mycotoxins, so making1059sure that corn does not have aflatoxin or vomitoxin in it or1060our wheat does not have ergot or vomitoxin or many other1061factors where they are safety factors to make sure that either1062the end consumer, whether that is a human or cattle is going to1063be okay and be healthy through that.1064    I think that one of the things that I see is that, you1065know, I spoke a little bit in my testimony that exports are1066mandated to have quality inspection but nothing domestically1067is, and so our entire official agency is done on mainly1068permissive work. Even though it is not mandated under the Grain1069Standards Act that the grain at an elevator in Castleton, North1070Dakota, is done, the whole entire system finds that essentially1071mandatory in their own right. The buyers will require the1072sellers to provide them with heavy testing. We have grades on1073every single railcar that goes out that show those different1074damages that can be very toxic--some of them can be--but then1075also doing mycotoxins on every railcar. I think that shows the1076commitment to safety in the industry.1077    Senator Marshall. Are you testing for pesticides as well?1078    Mrs. Mikesh. We are not testing for pesticides. That does1079go to a different level. Grain inspections, we do more of the1080quicker analysis that they can do to buy and sell, but I know1081that FGIS does pesticide residue testing, as well as other1082private agencies.1083    Senator Marshall. Okay. All right. Mr. Friant, are you1084wanting to add something? Nope, okay.1085    Thank you so much, Chairman.1086    Chairman Boozman. Mrs. Mikesh, your testimony highlights1087the request for official agencies to take part in research1088activities. As the Vice President of an official agency, can1089you speak to the impact this clarification would have on your1090family's business and the inspection system as a whole?1091    Mrs. Mikesh. Thank you, Chairman. Yes, we have seen over1092the years that FGIS has worked very hard to help get technology1093going, but it is a difficult process. Nick and I, a few years1094back, went to an agricultural marketing services innovation1095summit, and we were there with, you know, fruits and vegetables1096and organics. Everyone else was having a little bit easier of a1097time finding technology to help aid in their inspection1098process.1099    You know, when people think that, you know, you are in an1100isolated area and you feel maybe that you are a unicorn,1101everything is a lot more difficult for our area. We found that1102for grain, that was definitely true. You know, when you are1103looking at a tomato, you can see things pretty visibly, whereas1104we are looking at tiny little kernels and looking at them1105individually per sample we do for railcar.1106    With that, there is a lot that has been going on in1107technology. There is definitely a bottleneck in having the1108Federal Government do all of the testing or all of the analysis1109on it to determine if something is fit for purpose.1110    One of the things that we discuss in the advisory committee1111is, you know, new technologies will come through, but you1112always have to make sure that it is the same or better. That is1113difficult to do and takes a lot of time. One of the things that1114we have discussed is that official agencies could take on some1115of that in the beginning, let's say 80 to 90 percent.1116    When I was talking about mycotoxins earlier, that is where1117you have seen the most evolution in technology is things that1118there is a great scientific base that is outside of the1119official agencies' purview as well, whereas when you are1120talking about visual grading, that is something that there are1121very few that are experts in, FGIS being one, as well as1122official agencies.1123    We think that official agencies would be able to take on a1124lot of that and help escalate the timeliness of getting1125technology improved, as well as being able to see a lot of1126real-life examples that happen right away, instead of figuring1127it out when something is already approved.1128    You know, our agency provides service in nine states. That1129is a lot of different types of damages, different types of1130corn, soybeans, and different geographical environments. We1131think that that would be an added benefit for official agencies1132to help as well.1133    Chairman Boozman. Very good.1134    Mr. Wipf, you outlined the successful and swift action by1135FGIS and stakeholders to remedy the ``soybeans of other color''1136issue a few years ago. Can you speak to the need for this1137process to be adaptable to new seed technologies that maintain1138the expectation of consistency and quality worldwide?1139    Mr. Wipf. Yes, so to me that situation that I highlighted1140with the soybeans of other color, it just shows us that the1141system worked. It is robust enough to deal with a curveball we1142had not seen before maybe. Luckily, we were able to work1143through that process and very grateful that we were able to do1144so and that nothing was disrupted for the farmers. I think it1145is important that we continue to offer that flexibility because1146of the unknown unknowns. We do not know maybe what the next1147sort of similar situation might be, but I am grateful that the1148system worked.1149    Chairman Boozman. Very good. Mr. Friant, you served many1150years on the Grain Inspection Advisory Committee. Can you share1151additional insight in the importance of the advisory committee1152and if the committee has tried to tackle some of the priorities1153you raised today?1154    Mr. Friant. Yes, thank you, Chairman. I appreciate that1155question. Very much so the advisory committee has served a1156really important function for the agency and then for industry1157producers, official agencies, as I mentioned previously, that1158public forum to have the conversations and for FGIS to hear1159from stakeholders, what do we need.1160    I think one really good success story--and I want to thank1161Senator Hyde-Smith, and Senator Hoeven had to leave--dealing1162with FDA actionable grain, and that was something that the1163committee brought to the agency and said here are some1164concerns, here are some changes we would like to see happen.1165FGIS took those recommendations from the committee back, worked1166with FDA, and then, as I mentioned, the support from Senator1167Hyde-Smith and Senator Hoeven to help the process along. We1168ended up with some new directives and direction that has made1169it significantly easier for the industry to manage. Really,1170truly a good success story of how that advisory committee1171worked, and the agency took what was recommended and turned it1172into something actionable for the industry.1173    Chairman Boozman. Very good.1174    Senator Hyde-Smith, have you got any other questions or1175comments?1176    Senator Hyde-Smith. I do not have anything to add.1177    Chairman Boozman. Well, thank you again, witnesses, for1178being here. You did a tremendous job, and this was very, very1179helpful. This helps us understand how important it is for us to1180get our work done and get this reauthorized. We do appreciate1181the fact that you took time, especially when it brings you out1182of the field and things like that. Tell your daddy I am sorry.1183    The record will remain open for five business days. Again,1184thanks always to all of the staff that worked so hard to make1185this happen on both sides.1186    With that, the hearing is adjourned.1187    [Whereupon, at 4:03 p.m., the Committee was adjourned.]11881189=======================================================================11901191                            A P P E N D I X11921193                             July 29, 202511941195=======================================================================1196[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]11971198=======================================================================11991200                         QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS12011202                             July 29, 202512031204=======================================================================12051206[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]12071208                                 [all]