The Senate failed to reach a compromise Friday, which means the doors will be closed for a lot of federal offices on Monday. With the partial shutdown starting on a weekend, and right after the federal payday, the impact will be different than the last time around. Essential services from delivering mail to keeping airports going will remain in force - and even the National Parks and monument will remain open.

However, the federal offices that support ag may be dark come Monday morning. The National Association of Wheat growers issued a statement about the partial shutdown noting that failing to fund the government has impacts for farmers across the country.

Gordon Stoner, NAWG president and Outlook, Mont., farmer said that shutting down the government "means vital services like USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency local offices are closed or functioning on a limited basis. Growers won't have access to data and reports needed for planting and harvesting, farm loans and credit, and other critical services needed to run their operations."

He added that the shutdown also means "Congress has failed to act on a [fiscal year 2018] funding bill which holds several beneficial programs for wheat growers. Several important wheat research provisions in both the House and Senate ag appropriations bills would help farmers grow more and better crops while using fewer inputs."

Gordon and the association called on Congress to get the government re-opened soon.

According to Bloomberg, there was talk that the shutdown might end before the weekend is over as both sides continue to talk. There is talk of a short-term funding measure through Feb. 8 to keep the lights on.

The Senate is to return to negotiate at Noon Saturday (1/20) where there could be a vote on a shorter funding measure if both sides can come to an agreement. The shutdown comes due to a snag over discussions regarding immigration and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program,

Earlier the House had agreed on funding the government through Feb. 16, but that was blocked in the Senate.

There's finger pointing on both sides of the aisle over the issue as the negotiations continue.

Source: National Association of Wheat Growers/Bloomberg