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Audio from our weekly Newsmakers show
House Agriculture Committee members will have a lengthy markup next week to find the instructed $230 billion in budget reconciliation savings. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., explains Democrats' opposition to nutrition cuts and the scrubbing of the term "climate" at USDA.Then, former USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Robert Bonnie discusses downsizing at the agency and Angela Rachidi from the American Enterprise Institute outlines proposed SNAP cuts in reconciliation.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Republicans on the House Ag Committee are trying to reach agreement on cuts to nutrition assistance and increases in farm bill spending. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, says Democrats will be largely opposed to SNAP cuts to fund a boost to commodity programs. “We can’t rob Peter to pay Paul,” she said.Then, Tom Sell with Combest, Sell & Associates and Gina Plata-Nino with the Food Research and Action Center discuss the political hurdles ahead with proposed cuts to the SNAP program.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the USDA's downsizing plan due in May could include some consolidation. Recording at the White House Easter Egg Roll, we also asked her about the department's plans to address bird flu this spring, her thoughts on the timing for trade assistance and whether she’s confident Congress will provide needed funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation.Then, we speak with Emily Metz from the American Egg Board, Cathy Burns from the International Fresh Produce Association and Philip Good from the United Soybean Board to discuss the commodities on display at the event.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Congressional Republicans are still a long way from agreeing on the giant budget reconciliation bill, but NCFC leader Chuck Conner says he sees ‘glimmers of hope’ for a boost to the farm safety net in the package. Conner also discusses the possibility for ag labor reform this Congress as well as tariffs and brain drain at USDA. Then, Dan Halstrom from the U.S. Meat Export Federation and Krista Swanson from the National Corn Growers Association discuss how tariffs are affecting their industries. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up for free!
President Donald Trump this week temporarily paused country-specific reciprocal tariffs while those applied to China increased to 125%. We asked Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., how the move could change the U.S.' ag trading relationship with China and his thoughts on staff reductions at the Agriculture Department.Then, Tim Lust from the National Sorghum Producers and Ken Barbic with Invariant discuss the tariffs, including how long producers can wait for government payments for market loss.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
President Trump unveiled a massive tariff plan this week adding a 10% across-the-board tariff on imports, plus a higher reciprocal tariff on many U.S. trading partners. We asked Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., how the tariffs will affect producers and how farm bill elements may be incorporated into budget reconciliation.Then, the American Soybean Association's Virginia Houston and Joe Glauber from the International Food Policy Research Institute discuss which producers could be hurt the most by the tariffs and how farmers' cost of production will increase.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
After three hurricanes hit her Florida district in 13 months, Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., overviews recovery efforts and the possibility to embed USDA staff in FEMA to assist with future disasters. She also discusses the potential for including farm bill elements in budget reconciliation, saying it is “absolutely feasible.”Then, T.A. Hawks with Monument Advocacy and Mike Stranz from the National Farmers Union discuss USDA’s release of $10B in market relief payments and the potential impact of the administration’s trade policies on agriculture.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The agriculture industry is beginning to feel shocks from retaliatory tariffs aimed at U.S. farm products. We speak with National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney about how President Trump’s aggressive trade agenda is impacting American agriculture and look ahead to NASDA’s farm bill priorities.Then, Scott Gerlt with the American Soybean Association and Roger Cryan from the American Farm Bureau Federation discuss whether farmers should be concerned about another trade war.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
It’s been a big week for farm country as President Donald Trump enacted, then delayed, tariffs on Mexico and Canada. We spoke with farm group leaders at Commodity Classic in Denver about their top priorities in 2025, including tariffs, the state of the farm economy and renewable fuels.Tune in to hear from American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland, National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr., National Sorghum Producers Chair Amy France, National Association of Wheat Growers President Keeff Felty and Association of Equipment Manufacturers Ag Sector Board Chair Greg Petras.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Agriculture Department’s staff was downsized by federal employee layoffs. We asked Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., how the staff changes will impact rural America and if farmers should be concerned about the Department of Government Efficiency.Then, Tara Smith with Torrey Advisory Group and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s Mike Lavender discuss the impact of the federal aid freeze and how budget reconciliation could shape the farm bill debate.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
House Republicans are moving a budget plan that would slash USDA funding by $230 billion. South Dakota Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson joined Newsmakers to discuss the possible cuts, which will likely come from nutrition assistance.Then, Jim Richards from Cornerstone Government Affairs explains how SNAP program cuts in budget reconciliation could shape farm bill debate and Nick Levendofsky from the Kansas Farmers Union discusses how mass layoffs at the U.S. Agency for International Development are impacting the distribution of U.S. commodities for food aid.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Trade has been top of mind for farm country this week as President Donald Trump imposed and delayed tariffs on the country’s top trading partners. Former Ag Secretaries Dan Glickman and Mike Johanns, USDA leaders during the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations, discuss the impact of enacted and potential tariffs.They also share their thoughts on Trump’s cabinet nominees, including Ag Secretary-nominee Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary-nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., is the new ranking member on the House Ag Committee. We sat down with her and Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Penn., to discuss their vision for leading the committee and their stance on nutrition programs, which could be subject to cuts in budget reconciliation.Then, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall joins the show from the organization’s convention in San Antonio, Texas, to discuss concerns he’s hearing from farmers.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States Monday. We asked former House Ag Committee Chair Frank Lucas how this Trump administration could be different than the last and if farmers should be concerned about another trade war.Then, Michael Marsh from the National Council of Agricultural Employers and Jonathan Coppess of the University of Illinois discuss how farm and nutrition programs may fare in federal budget cuts and how the executive order directing mass deportations could impact farm labor.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
After serving 12 of the last 16 years as agriculture secretary, Tom Vilsack will end his tenure leading USDA at the change of administration Monday.In an exit interview, he discussed the potential fate of climate and equity programs under the incoming administration and how his vision for USDA has changed since he first took office in 2009. He also discussed his ongoing concerns for the agriculture industry.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Avian flu was first identified in dairy cattle in March. We asked Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, how USDA’s nationwide milk testing strategy is being implemented to safeguard the food supply and what additional measures may be needed.Then, Invariant’s Anne MacMillan and Tom Sell with Combest, Sell & Associates discuss the $10B market relief package and what issues they’re watching as the 119th Congress begins.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
As 2024 comes to a close, Agri-Pulse Newsmakers looks back at some of the biggest stories in ag and food policy, including the farm bill, bird flu in dairy cattle, reports from the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, Hurricane Helene's agricultural impact, and more.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Farm Credit System has experienced many changes in recent decades to better support rural America. Todd Van Hoose, retiring president and CEO of the Farm Credit Council, discussed the viability of lenders in 2025 and looked back at a historic farm bill advocacy push. Christy Seyfert will succeed Van Hoose in January.Then, The Russell Group’s Jessica Schulken and John Weber from Monument Advocacy discuss the potential impacts of DOGE and what influence RFK Jr. may have on the food and agriculture industries.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Republicans will take control of the Senate in January, making John Boozman chairman of the Senate Ag Committee. We asked him about his plans for the committee, including collaborating with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who's in line to be the ranking member, and how Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees may influence agriculture.Then, Laura Wood from LWP Consulting and Invariant’s Danielle Beck discuss the contentious House Ag Committee ranking member race and the future of the farm bill in a new Congress.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
California Rep. Jim Costa is challenging the House Ag Committee’s current ranking member, David Scott of Georgia, and Angie Craig of Minnesota for the top Democratic position on the panel. We ask about Costa’s vision for the committee.Then, we talk with two of Brooke Rollins’ former colleagues to learn how she may lead the Ag Department if confirmed. Drew DeBerry from Axis Strategies and Corey Rosenbusch from The Fertilizer Institute share their perspective.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up for free!: http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
A challenging farm economy and clean fuels tax credit decision could lead to changes for farm country in 2025.We look ahead at big issues for the new year with farm group leaders, including American Soybean Association President Josh Gackle, National Sorghum Producers Chairwoman Amy France, National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. and United Soybean Export Council Board Director Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The race is on to pass a farm bill extension before the end of the year after Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow released her farm bill text this week and it was rejected by Republicans. We asked Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., about the future of the farm bill and prospects for a package of market loss relief and disaster aid in December.Then, NASDA’s RJ Karney and NFU’s Aaron Shier discuss what agriculture can expect from the Trump administration.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
It’s official: Republicans have won control of the House as well as the Senate and White House.Biofuel policy, the farm bill and trade could see changes under the new administration and Congress. We asked Torrey Advisory Group President Michael Torrey, NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys, American Sugarbeet Growers Assn. CEO Luther Markwart and ACE CEO Brian Jennings about their outlook from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Donald Trump won the presidency and the GOP won control of the Senate this week. Some House race votes are still being tallied.We sat down with two former agriculture secretaries, Dan Glickman from the Clinton administration and Mike Johanns from the Bush administration, to discuss what could be ahead regarding trade and immigration policy, as well as the possible role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the Trump administration.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up for free! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
2024 World Food Prize laureates Cary Fowler and Geoffrey Hawtin were honored for their life work protecting crop biodiversity at the Borlaug International Dialogue. We asked Fowler about the creation of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.Then, Jim Snee, CEO of Hormel, and his wife and community advocate, Tammy discuss Hormel’s Hometown Food Security Project, and Manuel Otero, IICA director general, spoke on farmers’ challenges to adopt new technology.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Election day is less than two weeks away. Senate Ag Committee member Peter Welch, D-Vt., joined the show to discuss what a Harris-Walz presidency could mean for agriculture.Then, American Farm Bureau Federation’s Joby Young and Jonathan Coppess from the University of Illinois discuss the possibility of a farm bill being passed this year and how a disaster aid package may be written to support farmers.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Multiple hurricanes have caused destruction for southeastern farmers this year. House Ag Committee member Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., joined the show to discuss damage in his district, the call for disaster aid funding and the farm bill.Then, the Farm Service Agency's John Berge and StoneX's Josh Linville join to talk about USDA disaster assistance and the hurricane's impacts on fertilizer availability and prices.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
EPA’s final herbicide strategy was developed to protect threatened and endangered species. We asked Alex Dunn, president and CEO of CropLife America, about the effectiveness of the strategy and Office of Pesticide Programs funding.Then, Ashley Smith with Torrey Advisory Group and Paul Winters from the Clean Fuels Alliance discuss what industry and farmers should expect when the Clean Fuels Credit goes into effect in January 2025.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Robert Bonnie, USDA’s undersecretary for farm production and conservation, surveyed Hurricane Helene’s damage this week. He joins the show to discuss damages to crops, livestock facilities and infrastructure, as well as the support affected producers can receive from USDA.Then, Peter Friedmann with the Ag Transportation Coalition and Danny Munch from the American Farm Bureau Federation join an ag transportation panel. We spoke with Friedmann and Munch before an agreement was reached to end the dockworkers' strike.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up for free! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Nearly 1,000 women gathered in Denver for the Women in Agribusiness Summit this week. We connected with Mary Kay Thatcher from Syngenta to discuss EPA's Final Herbicide Strategy and an outlook for the November election. Then, Terryn Lawrence from Rabobank discusses her experience at Climate Week in New York City and Fidela Irigoyen with Wells Fargo Agribusiness discusses water and ag labor challenges for the Western U.S. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Farm groups are concerned about Trump’s threat to increase tariffs on U.S. trading partners. House Ways and Means Committee Chair Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., joined Newsmakers to discuss ag tax and trade policy, including what’s at stake in the election.Then, Kristine Tidgren from Iowa State University’s Center for Ag Law and Taxation and Jim Richards with Cornerstone Government Affairs discuss how farm country will be affected when TCJA provisions expire in 2025.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
North Dakota Republican Sen. John Hoeven joins the show to discuss the potential impact on agriculture of Donald Trump’s tariff proposals.Then, incoming National Sorghum Producers Chairwoman Amy France and American Soybean Association director Ronnie Russell discuss the unique farm bill push from coalitions of row crop farmers on Capitol Hill this week.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up for free! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
A handful of races will determine which party controls each chamber of Congress. We spoke with Senate race analyst Jessica Taylor from the Cook Political Report about the probability of Republicans winning the Senate.Then, Anne MacMillan of Invariant and the Russell Group’s Andrew Harker discuss Republican and Democratic election priorities and what to expect in Congress this month.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
We spoke with House Ag Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson about potential farm bill movement and the growing ag trade deficit. United Soybean Board Chair Steve Reinhard joined the show to discuss export prospects for the record soybean crop and Rabobank economist Stephen Nicholson previewed the farm economic outlook.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Cheri Bustos, a former Illinois congresswoman and ex-chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, discussed rural perspectives on the presidential race and recounted her experience in Congress with vice presidential nominee Tim Walz.Then, we asked Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack — who attended the DNC in his personal capacity — what a Harris administration will approach some key issues for agriculture.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Republican Rep. Brad Finstad represents Minnesota’s first district, the same area Tim Walz represented while in Congress. We asked Rep. Finstad how Walz got reelected so many times, then discussed potential GOP administration policies and the farm bill.NAWG’s Chandler Goule and Tom Sell from Combest, Sell & Associates also join to discuss GOP and Democratic Party policy differences on trade, labor and climate.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Kamala Harris tapped former House Ag Committee member and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. Instead of telling you about his agriculture record, we went to Minnesota Farmfest to ask those who know it best: Farmers, senators and farm group leaders.Then, we asked Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., about taking over as Democratic Senate Ag Committee leader after Debbie Stabenow’s retirement.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The U.S. is facing a growing ag trade deficit. Ways and Means Committee member Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., discusses the possibility of Trade Promotion Authority being passed by a Republican Congress and how the election could impact provisions included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.Then, Phil Karsting with OFW Law and T.A. Hawks from Monument Advocacy offer their thoughts on how the election may affect ag trade policy.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
President Biden chose not to run for reelection and endorsed Kamala Harris. Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., discusses what a Harris presidency could mean for agriculture.Then, Mike Stranz with NFU and Ethan Lane with NCBA share their thoughts on The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 agriculture and nutrition proposals being implemented in a Trump-Vance presidency.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Delegates, elected officials, farmers, and industry representatives gathered in Milwaukee for the Republican National Convention this week. We dove into discussions about trade, immigration, and energy proposed in the GOP platform that could change the policy landscape after the November election.Kellyanne Conway, Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign manager and also his former counselor, joined the show to discuss the role rural voters could play in the 2024 election. She also shared her perspective on action Trump could take as president to balance trade, including potentially providing a bailout for farmers similar to his last presidency if retaliatory tariffs impact ag markets.Then, House Ag Committee Chair Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson and Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member John Boozman join the show together to discuss their outlook on what a Trump-Vance administration could mean for agriculture. They look forward to the opportunity for a changing regulatory environment for agriculture and immigration reform.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
After the Supreme Court’s recent overruling of the Chevron doctrine, many major House committees are probing for regulations that may “run afoul” of the new administrative regime, according to North Carolina Republican Rep. David Rouzer. He joins Newsmakers to discuss how the Biden administration’s “waters of the U.S.” rule could be vulnerable due to the decision, as well as priorities Republicans want to convey to voters at the Republican National Convention next week.Then, Ray Starling of the North Carolina Chamber and Barbara Patterson from Torrey Advisory Group discuss issues important to rural voters and the potential impact of the GOP platform’s proposed tariffs on farm country.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Presidents for two of the nation's largest farm organizations joined Newsmakers for a conversation about mental health in rural America, how the stigma has changed throughout their careers and current policy that could provide better support for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, recount stories of those they've met traveling across rural America and in their own communities. They also dive into personal accounts reflecting on their own mental health, including how Zippy received support from the agriculture community after his wife Bonnie passed away in 2020. If you or someone you know needs support, dial 9-8-8 around the clock for free, confidential resources. Visit the AFBF Farm State of Mind and the NFU Farm Crisis pages to learn more about how you can help your friends, family and neighbors in rural America. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Kansas Republican Rep. Tracey Mann represents the Big First District of Kansas and is a member of the House Agriculture Committee. He joined the show this week to discuss CRP rental rates, water challenges across the Plains, and the benefits of using U.S. commodities in international food aid programs. Rep. Mann also gives his perspective on funding farm safety net programs in the farm bill. Then, Katie Naessens with Torrey Advisory Group and Joe Gilson with the American Farm Bureau Federation join the show to discuss the prospects of a farm bill being passed this year and how presidential and congressional campaigns may figure into policy debates. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Congress is running out of time to get a farm bill passed this year. Maine Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to talk about some of the challenges the bill currently faces and provides an update on the impact of inflation on the organic sector.Then, farm policy consultant Ferd Hoefner and Chase Adams with the National Pork Producers Council discuss the bill's chances of getting passed this year despite the polarization in Congress.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Senate Ag ranking member John Boozman laid out his framework for a new farm bill this week, but the bill crosses some red lines for Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow. She joins us on this week's episode of Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to give her reaction to Senator Boozman's proposal as well as her thoughts on the future of the bill.Then, Anne MacMillan with Invariant and Sam Kieffer with the American Farm Bureau Federation talk about the prospects of passing a farm bill before the end of the year with the partisan divide in Congress.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
House Ag Committee Chair and Pennsylvania Republican Glenn Thompson is hard at work trying to gather the support he needs to advance his farm bill on the House floor. Thompson joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to share his thoughts over the bill's markup session and bill's future.Then, John Weber with Monument Advocacy and Nick Levendofsky with the Kansas Farmers Union share their thoughts on whether the bill will pass this year.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
A week after the House Ag Committee advanced the farm bill, Oklahoma Republican Frank Lucas joins us to discuss how the markup went and what the next moves are for the farm bill.Then, Jim Richards with Cornerstone Government Affairs and Laura Wood with LWP Consulting join to further discuss the politics around the farm bill and what the next few months will look like on Capitol Hill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
As the House Agriculture Committee held its first farm bill markup this week, former Ag Secretaries Dan Glickman and Mike Johanns join Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the political environment around a farm bill. Focusing on bipartisan solutions, Secretaries Glickman and Johanns discuss potential roadblocks Republicans and Democrats must overcome to pass farm and food legislation.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
California Democrat Jim Costa sits on the House Agriculture Committee, which will markup a farm bill on May 23. He joins this week’s show to discuss the latest developments on the farm bill and shares more about the conversations Democrats are having before next week’s markup. He also dives deeper into specialty crop issues and the recent developments with trade.Then, Danielle Beck with Invariant and Matthew Dillon with the Organic Trade Association join this week’s show to discuss the organic industry and the political environment around a farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
South Dakota Republican Dusty Johnson sits on the House Agriculture Committee, which will mark up a farm bill on May 23. He joins this week’s show to discuss the latest developments on the farm bill and what the next few weeks will look like. He also dives deeper into the rural broadband efforts.Then, Joby Young with the American Farm Bureau Federation and Jonathan Coppess with the Gardner Agriculture Policy Program at the University of Illinois join this week’s show to discuss the political environment around a farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Minnesota Democrat Tina Smith sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee. She joins this week’s show to discuss the latest movement on the farm bill and what the next couple of months will look like. She also dives deeper into the latest Sustainable Aviation Fuel announcement that was made this week.Then, Tara Smith with the Torrey Advisory Group and Brian Jennings with the American Coalition for Ethanol join this week’s show to further discuss farm bill politics and the continued improvements that are needed to be made to the recent SAF announcement.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: April 26, 2024: USDA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt on bird fluUSDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt oversees the Agricultural Marketing Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. She joins us to discuss the latest on the bird flu outbreak and how USDA is responding.Then, Michael Dykes with the International Dairy Foods Association and Fred Gingrich with the American Association of Bovine Practitioners join to chat more about the impact the bird flu has had on the dairy industry.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
California Democrat Salud Carbajal sits on the House Ag Committee and is working on his first farm bill. He joins us to discuss the latest politics surrounding a farm bill timeline and whether or not the House Ag Committee can meet a Memorial Day deadline proposed by House Ag Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa. He also discusses the challenges facing the specialty crop industry and how mechanization can be used to help workforce shortages.Then, Dennis Nuxoll with the Western Growers Association and Tom Sell with Combest, Sell & Associates join to chat about the political environment facing a farm bill and challenges facing specialty crop producers.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Nebraska Republican Deb Fischer sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee. She has been a strong supporter of biofuels and says the Biden administration is missing a key resource when looking to lower carbon emissions. She also discusses the importance of passing legislation aimed at bringing more transparency to cattle markets.Then, Geoff Cooper with the Renewable Fuels Association and Ben Prochazka with the Electrification Coalition join to discuss the impact of biofuels and electric vehicles on the economy.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Connecticut Democrat Rosa DeLauro is the ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee. She recently helped steer conversations to pass the FY2024 appropriations bills which allocated money to USDA and FDA. DeLauro joins the show to discuss how Republicans and Democrats found bipartisan support to pass the funding bills.Then, Roger Szemraj with OFW Law and Mollie Van Lieu with the International Fresh Produce Association further discuss nutrition policy and FDA’s reorganization strategy.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Arkansas Republican Rick Crawford is one of the co-chairmen of the House Ag Committee’s Agricultural Labor Working group, which released their final report earlier this month with bipartisan and unanimous approval. He joins the show to discuss how the group came to agreement on a politically polarized issue.Then, ag policy lawyer Kristi Boswell with Alston & Bird and Michael Marsh with the National Council of Agricultural Employers further discuss the impacts of politics on ag labor reform and the potential challenges that need to be overcome.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
House Ag Committee Chair and Pennsylvania Republican Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson has long pointed to this spring as his potential window to move a farm bill through the House. Now, he stops by Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer an update on that possibility and what will need to happen for it to come to fruition.Then, Virginia Houston with the American Soybean Association and Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union examine this week’s committee hearing discussing China’s impact on American agriculture and where things stand on the farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The White House rolled out its annual budget this week, kicking off the FY 2025 appropriations process. But spending discussions are also top of mind for the upcoming farm bill, and House Ag Committee Democrat Nikki Budzinski stops by Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer her thoughts on where things stand.Then, farm policy consultant Ferd Hoefner and RJ Karney with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture take a look at the factors facing lawmakers working on moving a new farm bill and whether or not those obstacles can be overcome.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Lawmakers rolled out a government funding package this week that includes funding for USDA to better track the country’s farm, ranch and forest land owned by foreign buyers. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to talk about what’s concerning lawmakers right now and what needs to be done in the future to protect America’s national and food security.Then, Micah Brown with the National Agricultural Law Center and Randy Dickhut with Agricultural Economic Insights talk about how state laws are impacting foreign farmland ownership and factors influencing the market for American farmland.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
This year's Commodity Classic crowd set a record as members of the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and Association of Equipment Manufacturers gathered in Houston. Leaders of all five organizations sat down with Agri-Pulse Newsmakers at the Pivot Bio booth on the trade show floor to discuss the farm bill, government funding, trade, regulatory issues and more.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
USDA’s use of Inflation Reduction Act conservation funds is a hot topic on Capitol Hill as lawmakers prepare for the next farm bill. Undersecretary Robert Bonnie heads up the department’s Farm Production and Conservation mission area and joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the status of those investments and other key issues like the status of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program.Then, Ken Barbic with Invariant and Laura Wood with LWP Consulting share their thoughts on the politics of conservation spending, the government funding debate, the farm bill and more.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
This week marked USDA's 100th Annual Ag Outlook Forum, which brings together the industry's leading economists for a look at the financial picture for the upcoming year. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the projections he offered to kick off the meeting and take a look at the overall health of the farm economy. Then, economists Mac Marshall with the United Soybean Board and Krista Swanson with the National Corn Growers Association offer their thoughts on the upcoming growing season for their respective commodities and what major factors they see influencing the ag economy.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
House Ag Committee Republican Brad Finstad of Minnesota joins Newsmakers this week to discuss his thoughts on the upcoming farm bill, including cybersecurity legislation says is critical for agriculture.Then, Brandon Lipps with Caprock Strategies and Mike Seyfert with the National Grain and Feed Association share their thoughts on some of the key discussions playing out in farm bill negotiations and how the underlying politics of Capitol Hill might impact the legislation.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Rep. Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M., serves on the House Agriculture Committee’s Conservation, Research and Biotechnology Subcommittee and Forestry Subcommittee. He says USDA needs to have the staffing, opportunities and levels to be properly equipped to support farmers and ranchers and that means maintaining the funds allocated to conservation programs from the Inflation Reduction Act.Then, Dave White with the 9b Group and James McKitrick with the American Forest Foundation join to discuss challenges with the U.S. Forest Service and a farm bill timeline.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Senate was in town this week, but no progress on avoiding an early March government shutdown was observed. Despite the long to-do list and growing partisan climate in Washington, Kansas Republican Jerry Moran remains optimistic some accomplishments can still be notched in the win column for agriculture, as he discusses on this week’s Agri-Pulse Newsmakers.Then, Alexa Combelic with the American Soybean Association and Jim Richards with Cornerstone Government Affairs offer their thoughts on where things stand with government funding and the current state of sustainable aviation fuel policy.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
As Congress continues to work through appropriations bills, passing a farm bill looks further down the road. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the latest impact on a farm bill timeline and the top trade priorities for 2024.Then, ag lobbyists Mary Kay Thatcher with Syngenta and Anne MacMillan with Invariant discuss the Iowa caucuses, and the politics surrounding the 2024 appropriations bills and the next steps for addressing FY2025 spending levels.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Congress was back in town this week, but work toward avoiding a government shutdown was minimal. Arkansas Republican and House Ag Committee member Rick Crawford joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the politics unfolding on Capitol Hill and what that environment might mean for key ag policy priorities like the farm bill, labor and more.Then, appropriations expert Roger Szemraj with OFW Law and ag labor specialist Kristi Boswell with Alston & Bird discuss the farm policy dynamics of Capitol Hill and what they're watching going forward.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Farm policy leaders are getting ready for the year ahead, including the conversations that will take place on Capitol Hill and across the country. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on the upcoming congressional calendar and what he expects will be on the agenda when his members convene soon in Salt Lake City.Then, Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union take a look at the upcoming government funding and farm bill debates.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
As 2023 comes to a close, Agri-Pulse Newsmakers looks back at some of the biggest stories in ag and food policy, including the farm bill, the U.S.-Mexico genetically modified corn trade dispute, nutrition program funding, and more.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The Food and Drug Administration's food safety oversight has been under the microscope this year, and there have been some changes at the agency as a result. One of those changes was appointing Jim Jones as FDA's first deputy commissioner for human foods, and he joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss his work in the early days of the position and what that might ultimately mean for consumers.Then, Sarah Gallo with the Consumer Brands Association and Roberta Wagner with the International Dairy Foods Association offer their thoughts on FDA's ongoing reorganization and how industry stakeholders have viewed the process.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
Many in farm policy are reporting a more positive reception for agriculture at the recent COP28 climate conference, including Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. The nation's top agriculture official joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss his experience at COP28, his thoughts on the congressional approach to the U.S.-China relationship, and the big news from the Department of Agriculture in 2023.Then, Debbie Reed with the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium and Ernie Shea with Solutions from the Land continue the COP28 conversation and discuss what to watch in the time following the conference.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
The upcoming farm bill is poised to be at the top of the House Ag agenda in 2024, but a senior GOP member of the panel says it might be time to rethink the way Congress approaches the legislation. Hear from Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., on what changes he thinks should be on the table in his interview with Agri-Pulse Newsmakers.Then, Robbie Minnich with the National Cotton Council and Jessica Schulken with The Russell Group offer their thoughts on the politics facing several ag policy fights, including the farm bill, government funding and the future of crop insurance.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD
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
