agri-pulse.com
Audio of our Agri-Pulse newsmaker video
As 2023 nears its end, attention shifts to how Congress will approach the farm bill in 2024. Senate Ag Committee Democrat Ben Ray Luján joins Newsmakers to discuss his hopes for speedy action and what he hopes will be included in the legislation for producers in his home state.Then, Mike Lavender with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and Tara Smith with the Torrey Advisory Group join a panel discussion to share their thoughts on the major obstacles to farm bill passage and what they expect will be the top issues addressed in the bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Producers are making plans for the 2024 growing season, and fertilizer supplies are top of mind. In this special edition of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers, Corey Rosenbusch with The Fertilizer Institute, Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition, and Mike Seyfert with the National Grain and Feed Association discuss the various aspects of the fertilizer supply chain and what farmers should expect as they make their input decisions.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Agri-Pulse Newsmakers is on location this week, reporting from the 80th Annual National Association of Farm Broadcasting Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Rural Development Farah Ahmad joins to discuss rural broadband and the implementation of the infrastructure bill. Then, American Soybean Association Vice President Josh Gackle offers thoughts on the extension of the 2018 farm bill. Finally, farm policy lobbyist Mike Torrey of the Torrey Advisory Group discusses the congressional agenda for the rest of the year and into 2024.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Leaders of the House and Senate Ag Committee are working on an extension of the 2018 farm bill, giving Congress more time to come up with a new five-year version of the legislation. House Ag Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson, R-Pa., joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the new timeline the extension offers Capitol Hill and how he's hoping to put a bill together.Then, Capitol Hill and farm bill veterans Marshall Matz of OFW Law and Tom Sell of Combest, Sell & Associates offer their thoughts on the major challenges facing lawmakers looking to put a bill together and what history says about the path forward.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Now that Congress is two weeks away from a looming government shutdown, House Ag Appropriator Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, offers the latest on where Congress stands on passing a continuing resolution to keep the government funded and how a farm bill extension could be included in the legislation. Then, T.A. Hawks with Monument Advocacy and Anne Steckel with the National Farmers Union discuss the latest developments on an ag appropriations bill and biofuels policy. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The news many people have been watching for over the last three weeks came Wednesday with the election of House Speaker Mike Johnson. Former House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas offers his thoughts on what Johnson's election means for the future of the House, including his desire for speedy farm bill action.Then, Scott Gerlt with the American Soybean Association and Gary Schnitkey with the University of Illinois reflect on the economic impacts of recent policy news and the ultimate impact producers should expect on their bottom lines.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Setting aside the leadership shuffling in the stalled House of Representatives, the Senate is also working through a government funding debate of its own. North Dakota's John Hoeven is the top Republican on the Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over USDA's budget, giving him a key role in the process. He joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss some of the particulars of the appropriations debate and his vision for the next farm bill.Then, Katie Naessens with the Torrey Advisory Group and Tyson Redpath with The Russell Group offer their thoughts on what some of the recent developments will mean for lawmakers as they sort through the legislative text that will be so key to rural America.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small was promoted to the number two role at USDA earlier this year, offering her a look at more of the department's inner-workings and the needs of its workforce. She joins Agri-Pulse to discuss USDA’s current and future employee needs as well as the relationship the department has with Congress as it works on a new farm bill. Then, Danielle Beck with Invariant and John Weber with Monument Advocacy join a panel discussion to explore the recent changes in the House Republican conference and what the changing dynamics might mean for the farm bill, the agricultural appropriations bill and more. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
This week’s news on Capitol Hill was dominated by the removal of (now-former) House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and the farm bill implications of that news are still being understood. Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., stops by to discuss what the news means for the rest of the year’s calendar and chat about the farm bill dynamics in the Senate.Then, Sam Kieffer with the American Farm Bureau Federation and Bev Paul with Davenport Policy offer their thoughts on this week’s news and the shift in politics it will produce in Washington.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
As Congress rushes to fund the government, Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., discusses the potential impact a government shutdown could have on America’s farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Plus, he dives deeper into climate policy and what the dialog could look like in the upcoming farm bill.Then, USDA Trade Undersecretary Alexis Taylor joins from Santiago, Chile, to discuss the most recent trade mission and potential new U.S. trading relationships.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
How to best utilize billions in conservation funding from the Inflation Reduction Act is at the heart of the farm bill debate right now on Capitol Hill, and Senate Ag Committee ranking member John Boozman of Arkansas hopes to bring many voices into the conversation. He joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss his thoughts on that funding and other farm bill priorities.Then, Robbie Minnich with the National Cotton Council and Laura Wood Peterson with LWP Consulting discuss the major issues facing farm bill reauthorization, including the IRA funding and the regional ag policy issues that might emerge in the process.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The House and Senate were both in action this week, but neither recorded concrete progress on government funding with a Sept. 30 shutdown date looming. North Carolina Republican David Rouzer joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the sentiment among his colleagues on government funding legislation and the path toward a new farm bill.Then, Deb Calhoun with Waterways Council and Anne MacMillan with Invariant join a panel to discuss the appropriations process thus far and what indicators to watch as Capitol Hill goes about its business for the rest of the year.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Congress is back in town after a monthlong recess, putting government funding and the next farm bill front and center for many lawmakers. Senate Ag Committee Democrat Tina Smith joins this week's Newsmakers to offer her thoughts on the timelines for both issues and her priorities as Congress begins writing legislative text.Then, farm policy veterans Jonathan Coppess of the University of Illinois and Randy Russell of The Russell Group take a look at some of the issues facing lawmakers in their efforts to craft new farm policy and avoid a government shutdown at the end of the month.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a fresh definition for a Water of the United States this week, and farm groups are concerned the new language might have some of the same old problems. EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Radhika Fox joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer her firsthand account of the rule and what it means for rural America.Then, Courtney Briggs with the American Farm Bureau Federation and Tom Hebert with the Bayard Ridge Group discuss the next steps for the rule, including possible legislative or legal action.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
As a former physician and state health official, Iowa Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks has a unique perspective on the state of rural health care. She joins this week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the issue and how she hopes to address the issue in Congress.Then, Florence Becot with the National Farm Medicine Center and Alan Morgan with the National Rural Health Association focus on the availability of rural health care across the country and how farmers and ranchers handle their health insurance coverage.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Biden administration is taking the next step in the process of putting a stop to Mexico's proposed ban on biotech corn imports, and U.S. Trade Representative Chief Ag Negotiator Doug McKalip joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to explain what comes next between the two countries and take a look at other trade issues around the world as well.Then, Aubrey Bettencourt with the Almond Alliance of California and Peter Bachmann with the USA Rice Federation offer their thoughts on key trade issues impacting their respective sectors.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Former House Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson discusses the potential hurdles facing the upcoming farm bill and what a timeline to getting a farm bill through both chambers looks like. He also shares the advice he’s told lawmakers as they begin to draft the next farm bill. Then, Tara Smith with Torrey Advisory Group and farm policy consultant Ferd Hoefner share their thoughts on reference prices, cuts to crop insurance, and changes that are needed to support small and beginning farmers. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett is one of the newest members of the House Ag Committee, but that isn't preventing her from bringing a host of priorities to the upcoming farm bill reauthorization. She joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to talk about her plans to address food deserts as well as the process of learning the farm policy ropes as a new member of Congress.Then, former House and Senate Ag staffers Lesly Weber McNitt and Joel Leftwich share their thoughts on how members often get up to speed headed into a farm bill process and what staff and outside organizations can do to ease the process.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The week's farm policy news was dominated by the efforts to move an ag spending bill in the House of Representatives, which ultimately didn't happen due to a variety of factors. But do the circumstances that bogged down the funding package offer any sort of look ahead for the politics that will face the next farm bill? House Ag Republican Dusty Johnson joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss that and his priorities for the upcoming reauthorization.Then, Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Todd Van Hoose with the Farm Credit Council offer their thoughts on some of the policies Congress will, or maybe won't, consider in the next farm bill debate.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Nutrition policy and the nation's dairy program are almost always hot-button issues during farm bill reauthorization, and both topics are critical for New York and its Senate Ag Committee Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand. She joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer a look at her policy priorities for the upcoming farm bill and what she thinks will be the timeline for the committee.Then, Jackie Klippenstein with Dairy Farmers of America and Brandon Lipps with Caprock Strategies join a panel discussion on dairy policy, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and what changes in both might mean for the farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Biden administration is moving ahead with investments to improve the data collection that will be critical for climate-smart agriculture. Undersecretary Robert Bonnie plays a key role on the subject for USDA and joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer an update on the planned investments and the implementation of contracts announced last year.Then, agricultural economists Bernt Nelson with the American Farm Bureau Federation and Arlan Suderman with StoneX offer their thoughts on this week's USDA commodity reports and what they're watching in the farm economy going forward.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall has had his own mental health struggles since the passing of his wife, Bonnie, in 2020. Since then, Duvall has shared how he has worked through his grief and has become an advocate for mental health services in rural America. Then, National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule, Jeanette Jeffrey with HomePorts, and Rural Minds founder and chairman Jeff Winton offer their thoughts on how to break the stigma around seeking out mental health resources in rural areas. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President and CEO Chuck Conner was in and out of meetings with top Biden administration and Capitol Hill officials this week, offering him unique insight on the farm bill, the appropriations process and the latest regulatory developments from the EPA. He joins Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on how those issues are evolving and what comes next across the board.Then, farm policy lobbyists Tom Sell of Combest, Sell & Associates and Mary Kay Thatcher with Syngenta offer their thoughts on where things stand with the farm bill and the major issues facing congressional leaders charged with drafting the upcoming reauthorization.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The House Agriculture Committee announced a bipartisan working group this week to study ag labor challenges. Vermont Democrat Peter Welch spent 16 years in the House of Representatives before becoming a Senator this year, and he joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to talk about previous attempts to fix ag labor issues as well as his priorities on dairy and rural development policy during farm bill reauthorization.Then, Michael Dykes with the International Dairy Foods Association and Rebeckah Adcock with the International Fresh Produce Association take part in a panel discussion on Federal Milk Marketing Order Reform, possible upcoming reductions in WIC fruit and vegetable benefits, and the upcoming farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Big news expected from the Environmental Protection Agency was delayed this week, leaving biofuels supporters a little more time to advocate for changes in last year’s proposed volumes for 2023-2025. Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss what he hopes to see in the announcement as well as how he plans to advocate for his priorities - including stricter payment limits - through the upcoming farm bill.Then, Texas A&M’s Bart Fischer and NSAC’s Mike Lavender take part in a panel discussion on the history of payment limits and what tightened policies would mean for producers and taxpayers alike.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: June 9, 2023: Rep. Tracey Mann, Angela Rachidi and Ellen Vollinger on farm bill priorities and politicsThe House Agriculture Committee stepped up its farm bill work this week with a lengthy hearing on the bill’s nutrition title and the end of a timeline for members of Congress to submit their priorities for consideration in the legislation. Committee member and Kansas Republican Tracey Mann joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on how lawmakers will sort through the long list of issues in the bill and what will be at the top of his agenda. Then, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program policy experts Angela Rachidi of the American Enterprise Institute and Ellen Vollinger with the Food Research & Action Center offer their thoughts on the nutrition title hearing as well as where the issue stands headed into the farm bill after the changes made in the debt ceiling bill. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
One year ago, highly pathogenic avian influenza was a major concern in the poultry industry; now, detections have dropped considerably, but USDA and the nation’s producers are maintaining their vigilance. USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the situation as well as how the department hopes its regional food centers will benefit producers.Then, Joel Brandenberger with the National Turkey Federation and Ashley Peterson with the National Chicken Council discuss the current HPAI outlook across the country, the issues surrounding vaccination conversations, and how the industry hopes to move forward.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The House Appropriations Committee delayed the consideration of a bill to fund several government agencies key to food and ag policy this week as debt ceiling talks lingered. Committee member and California Republican David Valadao joins Newsmakers to discuss that delay, his thoughts on some critical parts of the bill and analyze this week’s news on the Colorado River.Then, Sara Neagu-Reed with AmericanHort and Dennis Nuxoll with Western Growers join a panel discussion on issues critical to western producers and growers of fruits, vegetables and tree nuts throughout the country including water rights, labor, automation research and the upcoming farm bill. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The White House and Capitol Hill leaders continued their talks this week to find a deal that will raise the nation’s debt limit, and welfare program work requirements are playing a bigger and bigger role in the conversation. Former Ag Secretary Dan Glickman, who led USDA during the 1996 welfare reform effort, joins Newsmakers to offer his assessment of the ideas on the table as well as some farm bill changes being discussed. Then, Christine Cochran with SNAC International and Adam Wartheson with Organic Valley discuss what food companies are monitoring in the upcoming farm bill, the Federal Milk Marketing Order reform process, and throughout their supply chains. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The White House stepped up its involvement in a pair of issues key to farm policy this week, hosting meetings with congressional leaders to discuss the debt ceiling and the next farm bill. Kansas Republican and Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee member Jerry Moran joins Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on how the next few months in farm policy will shake out. Then, Chandler Goule with the National Association of Wheat Growers and Chelsea Good with the Livestock Marketing Association discuss how the issues will impact farmers and ranchers throughout the country.
President Joe Biden is set to welcome congressional leaders to the White House next week for debt ceiling negotiations, and farm policy experts are keeping a close eye on what the talks could mean for ag and food spending. Georgia’s Sanford Bishop, the top Democrat on the House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee, joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on the process and what it might mean for the upcoming farm bill and ag appropriations processes.Then, James Glueck with the Torrey Advisory Group and Jessica Schulken with The Russell Group discuss the lessons learned from previous debt ceiling debates and how the farm bill might be impacted based on how things have unfolded before.
House Republicans passed a bill to raise the nation’s debt ceiling this week, but the bill also includes several policy provisions certain to be targeted by the Biden administration and Senate Democrats in upcoming negotiations. House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss his thoughts on the bill and his priorities in the upcoming appropriations process.Then, Jim Richards with Cornerstone Government Affairs and Roger Szemraj with OFW Law take a look at the politics of the debt ceiling debate and offer their thoughts on what is up ahead as lawmakers look to fund the government and advance a farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Debt ceiling news ruled the day in Washington this week after House Republicans touted their plan to raise the nation’s debt limit. South Dakota Republican and Senate Ag Committee member John Thune, a key member of the chamber’s GOP leadership, takes a look at the possible implications of the proposal’s work requirement language and offers his thoughts on the upcoming farm bill.Then, Jeremy Peters with the National Association of Conservation Districts and Laura Wood Peterson with LWP Consulting take a look at the climate-smart funding in the Inflation Reduction Act and how it could impact conservation programs in the farm bill and beyond.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
A new survey out this week shows USDA is making improvements in its employee satisfaction, but attrition is hitting the workforce hard. Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the staffing needs in county offices across the country and offer a look at how.a more proactive approach to debt servicing is working for USDA borrowers.Then, Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union join to discuss the funding dynamics and political backdrop facing the upcoming farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Biden administration’s export agenda has included enforcement of trade agreement provisions critical to American agriculture. USDA Trade Undersecretary Alexis Taylor joins Agri-Pulse to discuss the latest on the discussions with Mexico over genetically modified corn as well as the markets the department has identified as its next trade mission targets. Then, Jaime Castaneda with the U.S. Dairy Export Council and Kam Quarles with the National Potato Council offer their thoughts on the trade issues facing their organizations and how the Biden administration’s trade efforts are working for producers. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The week was full of hearings and other developments certain to impact the upcoming farm bill. Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member and Arkansas Republican John Boozman joins Newsmakers to discuss the latest on how the farm bill is shaping up and what changes he’ll need to see in the legislation to lend it his support.Then, Mary Nowak with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and Andrew Walmsley with the American Farm Bureau Federation discuss the politics and the policies facing Ag Committee leaders in the House and Senate as they draft new farm policy.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The appropriations process is in full swing on Capitol Hill, and many ag policy issues are sure to be impacted by annual spending debates. House Appropriations Committee Republican Ashley Hinson of Iowa joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss her priorities in the process as well as how the farm bill could be impacted by debt ceiling negotiations. Then, Alexa Combelic with the American Soybean Association and Joe Kakesh with Growth Energy offer their thoughts on pending Environmental Protection Agency action on a host of issues facing the biofuels sector. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Senate Agriculture Committee is inching closer to drafting a new farm bill, and many of the committee’s members are working to include their priorities in the upcoming legislation. Among that group is Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock, who joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss what he wants to see from the next farm bill as well as offer his thoughts on USDA’s implementation of disadvantaged producer relief.Then, Dãnia Davy with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and USDA Equity Commission co-chair Dewayne Goldmon join a panel discussion on where things stand on efforts to address long standing issues facing minority farmers and what the federal government can do to address them. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Biden administration is taking another step that could lead to a dispute settlement panel over Mexico’s plans to ban the importing of genetically modified corn. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss how the U.S. can maintain its trade relationship with Mexico and what needs to be done to get a farm bill passed this year.Then, farm policy consultant Ferd Hoefner and Invariant's Danielle Beck offer their thoughts on climate and conservation in the next farm bill, USDA's new proposal limiting the use of "product of the USA" on meat labels and the agency's report on competition in the seed industry.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The House and Senate Ag Committees are gearing up to produce a new farm bill, and the nutrition title is sure to be a focus of many lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. House Ag Republican Brad Finstad, who chairs the subcommittee with jurisdiction over nutrition programs, joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on the upcoming farm bill as well as where things stand on efforts to sell E15 this summer. Then, Gina Plata-Nino with the Food Research and Action Center and Robert Rector with the Heritage Foundation offer their thoughts on the politics facing potential nutrition title reforms and the need demonstrated by the nation’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Department of Agriculture convened its annual Ag Outlook Forum this week and offered production and financial projections for 2023. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer presided over the event’s opening session and joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to expand on what he’s watching in the year ahead and reflect on major factors that will shape the farm economy. Then, Scott Irwin with the University of Illinois and Krista Swanson with the National Corn Growers Association discuss what producers will plant this year and in the years to come as market factors like prices, trade and sustainability influence production decisions across the country. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
New figures from the Congressional Budget Office added new layers to the farm bill discussion this week Senate Ag Committee member and Iowa Republican Joni Ernst joins Newsmakers to offer her thoughts on the upcoming legislation as well as her thoughts on the prospects for legislative or regulatory changes in the biofuels industry.Then, Kathy Bergren of the National Corn Growers Association, Brian Jennings with the American Coalition for Ethanol and Kurt Kovarik with Clean Fuels Alliance America offer their thoughts on existing biofuels issues as well as possible legislative debates to come.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
As she prepares to leave her USDA position at the end of the month, Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh joins Agri-Pulse to reflect on her time as the department’s number two official and how farmers and ranchers have fared during her tenure. She also offers thoughts on USDA’s Equity Commission, which she expects will continue its work long after her departure.Then, Scott Gerlt with the American Soybean Association and Mary Kay Thatcher with Syngenta react to this week’s State of the Union address, USDA’s farm income forecast and the farm bill implications of the current political environment in Washington.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
FDA Commissioner Robert Califf has proposed creating a new human foods program at the agency to centralize FDA’s oversight of 80% of the country's food supply. Maine Democrat Chellie Pingree joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to talk about the idea, funding the agency, and making the next farm bill more climate friendly.Then, a panel including Tom Chapman with the Organic Trade Association, Jacqlyn Schneider with FGS Global and James Glueck with the Torrey Advisory Group discuss the upcoming farm bill and USDA’s recent organic action.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Now several weeks removed from a prolonged process to pick the next House Speaker, congressional Republicans are forming their committees and rolling out policy priorities. House Ag GOP member Don Bacon joins Newsmakers to discuss the obstacles facing the next farm bill and how he hopes to be involved in shaping it.Then, a panel including Lia Biondo with the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association, and Davenport Policy’s Bev Paul walk through how the split control and partisan politics of Capitol Hill will shape food and ag policy for the next two years and beyond.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The federal government has invested billions into connecting rural America with improved internet service, and USDA funds have been a big part of the effort. USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Xochitl Torres Small joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss how that funding has been distributed and how the department plans to invest future resources. Then, Emily Buckman with the American Farm Bureau Federation, Kate Fox Wood of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association CEO Jim Matheson offer their thoughts on how broadband deployment efforts have worked for their members and areas where federal and state dollars could be targeted. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The House and Senate Ag Committees are ramping up preparations for the upcoming farm bill, and Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow has a list of priorities heading into the legislative debate. She joins Newsmakers this week to offer her thoughts on how the process will shake out and how she hopes to bring the nation’s ag groups to the table for any spending fights leading up to the bill.Then, farm policy lobbyists Rob Larew with the National Farmers Union and Tara Smith with the Torrey Advisory Group assess the politics of trying to pass a farm bill across Capitol Hill with narrow majorities and split control in both the House and Senate.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The first week of the 118th Congress has been marked by the requirement of multiple votes to elect a House Speaker for the first time in 100 years. As House Republicans sort out their future leadership team, the next chair of the House Ag Committee – Pennsylvania Republican Glenn “GT” Thompson – joins Newsmakers to discuss how he plans to put a farm bill together in the current political climate. Then, farm policy lobbyists Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Anne MacMillan with Invariant, and Randy Russell with The Russell Group discuss how the House formation delays and the retirement of Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., might impact the farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
As 2022 comes to a close, Agri-Pulse sat down with leaders across the farm policy spectrum to better understand their priorities in the upcoming farm bill as well as their broader legislative and regulatory efforts.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., will be one of the top Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee in the new Congress, offering rural influence in a powerful position on Capitol Hill. In this interview, he discusses the committee’s priorities in the upcoming Congress and what that might mean for farm policy.Then, Agri-Pulse’s Sara Wyant discusses how our annual CEO salary report got started, why we do it and how the information is used in the media and the boardroom.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Colorado Democrat Michael Bennet introduced new farm workforce legislation this week, giving him and the bill’s other supporters one week to build the support the bill will need in the current session of Congress. Bennet, a member of the Senate Ag Committee, also discusses his priorities for the upcoming farm bill and the state of drought in the American west.Then, a panel of experts including Claudia Larson with the National Milk Producers Federation, Michael Marsh with the National Council of Agricultural Employers and Mary Nowak with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives discuss Bennet’s new legislation and the reception it is getting on Capitol Hill and among the nation’s farm groups.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The lame duck session is a busy one in Washington, and several farm policy priorities are hanging in the balance. Senate Ag Committee Republican Roger Marshall of Kansas joins this week’s Newsmakers to discuss reform at the Food and Drug Administration, the chances of passage for ag labor legislation and more.Then, Chandler Goule with the National Association of Wheat Growers, Mary-Thomas Hart with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Matt Valesko with the Conaway Graves Group offer their thoughts on the environment for the upcoming farm bill as well as the other issues facing farm policy in 2023.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Congress is checking off a long list of priorities in the lame duck session and setting the stage for a busy 2023. Georgia Republican Austin Scott is one of the top Republicans on the House Ag Committee and joins Newsmakers to preview his priorities in the upcoming House majority.Then, Danielle Beck with Invariant, Jonathan Coppess with the University of Illinois and RJ Karney with NASDA offer their thoughts on the issues that will face Congress in the upcoming farm bill and what they expect to be the big stories in the new year.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Harvest is wrapping up across the country and Thanksgiving celebrations to celebrate that bounty cost consumers more money this year. As the year comes to a close, Newsmakers discusses the finances of food production in 2022 and looks ahead to 2023. American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist Roger Cryan discusses the group’s Thanksgiving food price survey and what those figures mean for producers as well as the 2023 indicators he’s watching to determine how things are going in Rural America. Then, Erin Borror with the U.S. Meat Export Federation and Cary Sifferath with the U.S. Grains Council talk about the export forecasts for the new year. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Agri-Pulse joined the nation’s farm broadcasting community in Kansas City this week for discussions with some of the leading voices in agriculture, including top officials from the Biden administration. In this week’s show, USDA Undersecretary Robert Bonnie, EPA Ag Advisor Rod Snyder, and Chris Bliley with Growth Energy discuss the latest issues in conservation, water regulations, biofuels policy and more. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Tuesday’s midterm elections brought a shock to the conventional expectations that were expecting a big night for Republicans in the House and Senate. Now, experts like Nathan Gonzales at Inside Elections are working to unpack what voters wanted when they cast their ballots in 2022 and what that means for 2024 and beyond.Farm policy professionals are also keeping a close eye on vote tallies still being finalized across the country. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Christy Seyfert with the American Soybean Association and Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union join Newsmakers to discuss what the results mean for the lame duck, the upcoming farm bill and more.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Voters across the country will cast their ballots on Tuesday, and former House Ag Committee Chair Collin Peterson is concerned about where his party is headed. He joins this week's Newsmakers to share his thoughts on that and the current state of affairs in global trade.Then, Vince Peterson with the U.S. Wheat Associates and Kip Tom with Tom Farms discuss the latest developments on efforts to ship Ukrainian exports from the Black Sea. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Wildfires have burned across the country in 2022, but the acreage this year is comfortably below the record levels of year’s past. Angela Coleman, the associate chief of the U.S. Forest Service, joins Newsmakers to discuss this year’s fire season and steps being taken to better maintain the country’s federal forests and secure a large enough firefighting workforce.Then, Rita Hite with the American Forest Foundation, Connecticut State Forester Christopher Martin, and University of California, Davis, researcher Malcolm North discuss the state of America’s forestland and, the impact of climate change and legislative action available to Congress on the subject.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Department of Agriculture rolled out $800 million in assistance for producers behind on loans this week as well as a new protocol for servicing debt in the future. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack joins Newsmakers to discuss why the department is taking this particular approach and also how he envisions future action on climate-smart commodities and more.Then, Dana Brooks with the Pet Food Institute, Michael Dykes with the International Dairy Foods Association and Dave White with the 9b Group offer their thoughts on the current sustainability discussions taking place in ag policy and how they will impact the next farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Hurricane Ian recovery is in full swing, and agriculture in the areas hit by the storm will have a lengthy road back to normal. Florida Republican Kat Cammack joins Newsmakers to discuss her view of things on the ground and why she would like to wait to pass relief funding until the damages are better understood.Then, American Farm Bureau’s Travis Cushman, Brian Frazelle with the Constitutional Accountability Center, and Elizabeth Rumley with the National Ag Law Center take a look at this week’s Prop 12 arguments before the Supreme Court and what they’ll be watching going forward.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Supreme Court took up the first of two major farm policy cases it will hear at the beginning of its term this week, and observers are working to sort through what the arguments will mean for the future of wetlands regulation. Rep. David Rouzer, R-N.C., joins Newsmakers to discuss that case as well as the upcoming arguments over California’s Prop 12 and the path to recovery from Hurricane Ian.Then, Ben Battles with Pollock Cohen, Travis Cushman with the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Peggy Kirk Hall with The Ohio State University dive into the Sackett vs. EPA arguments before the high court and offer their thoughts on what to watch next week.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Biden administration released a strategy this week to end hunger by 2030 and convened a major gathering Wednesday on the subject. One of the speakers was renowned chef and humanitarian José Andrés, who joins Newsmakers to discuss his message to the conference as well as the World Central Kitchen response to Hurricane Ian.Then, a panel of food and nutrition policy leaders including Vince Hall of Feeding America, Marshall Matz of OFW Law and Mollie Van Lieu of the International Fresh Produce Association reflect on the discussion at the conference and offer insights on what they see as the next steps.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Lawmakers have one more week to agree on a measure to fund the government into the new fiscal year. While a shutdown is not expected to happen, frustration lingers on Capitol Hill about the amount of time the process has taken. Kansas Republican Tracey Mann joins Newsmakers to discuss that issue as well as his priorities for the upcoming farm bill.Then, Mark Dopp with the North American Meat Institute, Jake Westlin with the National Association of Wheat Growers, and Ariel Wiegard with the American Soybean Association discuss the risk management, conservation, livestock and political challenges awaiting lawmakers as they look to draft new farm policy.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
A bill to reform the country’s ag labor language has received House support, but the measure is currently stuck in the Senate. Washington Republican Dan Newhouse, the lead House GOP member on the effort, joins Newsmakers to discuss that bill’s prospects after offering his thoughts on inflation and work to fund the government in the new fiscal year.Then, Kristi Boswell with Alston & Bird, Michael Marsh with the National Council of Ag Employers and Craig Regelbrugge with AmericanHort discuss where things stand with the Farm Workforce Modernization Act and the broader ag labor discussion.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Lawmakers are headed into the final months of the 117th Congress, offering a chance to decide what priorities will see action this year and work on bills for the next session. For Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., that means a big focus on the next farm bill. She joins Newsmakers to discuss that legislation as well as the committee’s agenda for the rest of the year.Then, Robert Guenther of the International Fresh Produce Association, Bruce Knight of Strategic Conservation Solutions and Tara Smith of Michael Torrey Associates offer their thoughts on some of the big topics that will need to be addressed in the 2023 farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Grain is now being shipped out of Ukraine under a fragile agreement, offering some hope to hungry people around the world looking to receive their familiar supplies from the country. But what has the conflict taught us about the importance of food in the world’s global security conversation? Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo joins Newsmakers to offer his thoughts. Then, Phil Karsting of OFW Law, Barron Segar of World Food Program USA and Kip Tom of Tom Farms assess where things currently stand on world hunger and what that means for U.S. agriculture.
The last week saw major progress in efforts to pass the Inflation Reduction Act into law, and the farm policy community is working to understand the particulars of the bill. Illinois Republican and House Ag Committee member joins Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on the bill’s provisions. Then, Daren Bakst with The Heritage Foundation, James Glueck with Michael Torrey Associates and Laura Wood Peterson with LWP Consulting take a look at the investments in the bill and what those funds will mean for the upcoming farm bill. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Senate Democrats are working to advance a reconciliation package that includes $369 billion in climate-related provisions. Sen. Tina Smith, a Minnesota Democrat and member of the Senate Ag Committee, joins Agri-Pulse to discuss why she supports the package and its investment in conservation programs.Then, Kurt Kovarik with the Clean Fuels Alliance America and Rob Larew of the National Farmers Union offer their thoughts on the package and what it would mean for agriculture, including the industry’s preparations for the upcoming farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Department of Agriculture announced $401 million in rural broadband funding this week, kicking off another round of its ReConnect program. USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Xochitl Torres Small joins Newsmakers to discuss the department’s efforts to connect rural America and what else is on the RD agenda. Then, Shirley Bloomfield with NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association and Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins take part in a panel discussion to discuss the demand for rural broadband and what else USDA can do to develop rural areas. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
This week’s activity on Capitol Hill featured a hearing offering growers and crop insurance industry stakeholders the chance to weigh in on what they would like to see in the next farm bill. That hearing was chaired by Illinois Democrat Cheri Bustos, who joins Newsmakers to discuss what she learned and how she’s helping Congress prepare for the upcoming legislation. Then, a panel of crop insurance policy experts including former House Ag Committee Chair Mike Conaway of the Conaway Graves Group, Bev Paul with Gordley Associates and Tom Sell with Combest Sell & Associates describe the politics surrounding crop insurance and other key policy areas as farm bill preparations pick up.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Farm groups and ag lawmakers are drafting their priorities for the upcoming farm bill but are being faced with a limited budget to make those desires happen. Pennsylvania Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, the top Republican on the House Ag Committee, joins Agri-Pulse to discuss how he plans to approach the next piece of legislation and what he wants to learn before he and his colleagues write the bill.Then, Jonathan Coppess with the University of Illinois, Lisa Van Doren with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, and Ryan Yates with the American Farm Bureau Federation discuss the approach the ag community will need to take in the upcoming farm bill process.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The nation’s Independence Day parades earlier this week included candidates waving to people they’ll hope to win over by the time ballots are cast in November. Dave Wasserman of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter joins Newsmakers to discuss the political landscape and some of the House and Senate races key to farm policy.Then, Anne MacMillan of Invariant and Randy Russell of The Russell Group discuss the situation facing Democrats and Republicans across the country in the upcoming midterms as well as the impacts the November elections will have on farm policy.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Biden administration has made addressing diversity, equity and inclusion issues a priority across the federal government, including at the Department of Agriculture. Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh is heading up USDA’s equity efforts and joins Newsmakers to discuss where things stand on that work. Then, a panel of agribusiness leaders, Farm Credit’s Gary Matheson, AFA’s Mark Stewart and NACD’s Jeremy Peters takes a broader look at the American agriculture workforce ranging from how DEI can be improved to what today’s college graduates are looking for from their employers. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Dairy policy has been a hot topic in recent farm bills and saw some big changes in the 2014 and 2018 legislation. The House Ag Committee held a hearing this week on dairy policy, and California Democrat Jim Costa shares his thoughts on what the provisions of the bill might ultimately look like.There’s also a panel discussion from Aubrey Bettencourt of the Almond Alliance of California, Paul Bleiberg with the National Milk Producers Federation, and Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association focusing on the news of the week and the proposed climate reporting rule from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Congress considered legislation this week that House Democrats argued was a necessary step to address inflation in food and fuel prices, but House Ag GOP members offered a counter approach they suggested was the better way to go. Committee Republican Rick Crawford of Arkansas joins Agri-Pulse to discuss that legislation, the broader issue of inflation and his goals for the upcoming farm bill.Then, a panel of experts including RJ Karney with NASDA, Dennis Nuxoll with Western Growers, and Barbara Patterson of Michael Torrey Associates offer their thoughts on the upcoming farm bill and what priorities they expect to see from Capitol Hill for the legislation.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The 2021 infrastructure bill represented a massive investment in the nation’s infrastructure, including in the needs of rural America. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins Newsmakers to discuss the administration’s implementation schedule and what he sees as the big issues facing American ag infrastructure. Then, Peter Friedmann with the Agriculture Transportation Coalition, Mike Steenhoek with the Soy Transportation Coalition and Anne Steckel with the National Farmers Union take a look at other key legislation, the needs of the ag infrastructure workforce, and the role of electric vehicles in the future of the nation’s transportation fleet.
The planting season is catching up to its average pace after weather challenges held some producers back for weeks. But growers in some regions are still facing challenges, and lawmakers representing them in Washington are pressing for relief. North Dakota Republican John Hoeven is one of those lawmakers and joins Newsmakers to discuss his request and the upcoming farm bill.Then, American Soybean Association economist Scott Gerlt and Mary Kay Thatcher with Syngenta join a panel discussion to discuss the current planting efforts and their long-term implications on production and policy. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Rising food prices are having a big impact on the need for assistance from the nation’s most vulnerable consumers, which is leading to swelling demand at the nation’s food banks. Feeding America’s Vince Hall joins Newsmakers to discuss the current situation and look ahead to what he hopes is learned at an upcoming White House conference and the action’s he’s hoping to see in the upcoming farm bill.There’s also domestic hunger analysis from Brandon Lipps of Caprock Strategies and Andrew Cheyne with the Food Research & Action Center and a look at the food security issues due to the war in Ukraine from Kip Tom.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Department of Agriculture rolled out a $6 billion program aimed at helping producers who suffered disasters in 2020 and 2021. USDA’s Gloria Montaño Greene joins the program to discuss what producers should know about how they might receive assistance and takes a look at the broader risk management portfolio under the federal government’s umbrella.Then, Tom Sell with Combest, Sell & Associates and Tara Smith with Michael Torrey Associates discuss the implications of disasters on the crop insurance program, the prospects of permanent disaster relief legislation and their concerns about actuarial soundness.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
New figures this week showed inflation is still impacting American consumers, but some slight moderation was also observed. There was also news on interest in the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Program, leading to questions about the ability for the program to satisfy the existing demand with its present resources. This week's video also features thoughts on immigration and the future of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act from Chuck Conner with the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Allison Crittenden with the American Farm Bureau Federation, Dave Gagner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Cal Poly’s Ricky Volpe. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
