Agri-Pulse DriveTime

The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list the Monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley discusses farm legislation on Capitol Hill. 

House Ag Committee Democrats will vote next week for their party leader. Minnesota Congresswoman Angie Craig and California's Jim Costa will attempt to unseat Georgia's David Scott. 

The USDA will begin more extensive testing for H5N1 in dairy cattle and milk and agriculture leaders in Washington continue to work for economic assistance and a new farm bill. 

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says Congress has no choice but to provide financial assistance to farmers who have suffered economic losses or severe weather events. 

A delay in action on renewable fuel regulations by the Treasury Department is impacting demand for feedstocks for the first quarter of 2025. Recent Biden administration regulations may come under review by the 119th Congress. 

The latest USDA farm income forecast suggests a very challenging bottom line for crop farmers across the country. Congressional ag leaders continue to press for economic assistance this year. -

Senator Charles Grassley has low expectations for the Lame Duck Congress this year. The Iowa legislator says GOP leaders will target tax and spending cuts as well as a new farm bill next year. 

Kansas Senator Jerry Moran is this week's guest on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers. Moran speaks to pending ad hoc assistance for farmers and thoughts on a second turn for Donald Trump in the Oval Office. 

China and Brazil have expanded trade deals to include a number of industries including agriculture. The country is also amending domestic policy that may reduce sales of used cooking oil. 

Members of congress continue to set their sites on approving farm and nutrition legislation. Agri-Pulse's Lydia Johnson gathered comments from key leaders this week on Capitol Hill. 

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley took his turn at criticizing the Democratic farm bill proposal submitted by Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow. He says the work will have to be done next year. 

Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow released a near 1,400 page farm bill draft today and spoke from the chamber floor to support her bipartisan plan. 

President-elect Trump has yet to appoint a Secretary of Agriculture, but one possible candidate spoke to farm broadcasters meeting in Kansas City Friday, and ethanol producers are more optimistic about the Summit Carbon pipeline project with approval from North Dakota

Farm broadcasters are meeting in Kansas City and hearing from ag organizations and companies about challenges and opportunities in 2025 and today we have comments from the American Farm Bureau Federation, Farmers National Company, RCIS, USDA’s Farm Service Agency Administrator, and Rabobank

 Sen. John Thune was elected Senate Majority Leader and we have reaction from newsmakers at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting to that and to President-elect Trump’s choice for EPA Administrator.

A new award honors veterans who are also farmers and the first recipient is a retired Army Colonel from Indiana.

Two former USDA Agriculture Secretaries discuss trade tariffs, farm policy and disaster assistance. 

The Fed lowered interest rates again this afternoon. The nation continues to watch state election returns for clues to which party will control the Lower Chamber. 

Arkansas Senator John Boozman says leaders have a mandate from voters to deliver a better American economy. Boozman feels the urgency to help farmers and ranchers financially to secure financing for the new crop year. 

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley see's little chance for a new farm bill in the Lame Duck Session of Congress. He did express hope for an extension of the blenders credit for biodiesel. 

Agriculture groups are keeping an eye on state ballot initiatives as voters go to the polls tomorrow. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reports work continues on a H5N1 vaccine and responds to questions of the way the department handled investments in the Pure Prairie Poultry processor. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA will begin bulk testing milk for H5N1 and global food leaders say the issue of chronic hunger is being ignored in the U.S. elections.

A global agriculture leader supports genetic engineering and a U.S. trade advisor says market promotion funding offers tremendous return on investment. 

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley says failure to approve a new farm bill this calendar year will force compromise on farm and nutrition programs next year. Meanwhile, the 2023 farm safety net will provide little if any assistance for farmers this year.