Agri-Pulse Newsmakers

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 Uni...

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...

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...

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. Th...

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 Gr...

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...

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 Bleib...

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...

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 Steenhoe...

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...

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...

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 & Associ...

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...

The Biden administration is approaching a key deadline to publish annual volume targets for biofuel blending. There’s also the ongoing effort to redefine the definition of a Water of the U.S. and looming concerns about the loss of crop protection tools through the Environmental Protection Agency’s approval processes. EPA Administrator Michael Regan joins Newsmakers to discuss the work the agency i...

The House and Senate Agriculture Committees both convened hearings to examine the beef sector this week. Now, Congress is left to determine its next steps and whether or not to pursue big reforms to the nation's cattle sector. Want to receive Newsmakers direct to your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

New figures released this week by the International Monetary Fund were cause for concern around the world as the potential for increased food costs is weighed against potential political uncertainty that might result. Dan Glickman, the ag secretary for the majority of the Clinton administration, joins Newsmakers to discuss what the report means and what the U.S. can do about it. Then, an esteemed...

The Biden administration made news this week with the announced emergency action to allow E15 to be sold this summer. The move satisfies a major request of the biofuels industry but also leaves the sector wondering what comes next. Iowa Republican Randy Feenstra joins Newsmakers to discuss that as well as ag input issues and efforts to define a Water of the U.S.There’s also a panel discussion on t...

The Department of Agriculture has responded to farm group entreaties to consider allowing production on Conservation Reserve Program acres, leaving many wondering what comes next. Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux joins Agri-Pulse to discuss the future of the program as well as the current state of FSA programs. Then, a panel of experts explores farm programs, this year’s productio...

An updated piece of legislation seeks to reform the way cattle are bought and sold across the country, but the new bill includes a provision that caused two major farm groups to oppose the initial version. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., explains why the regional cash trade mandate remains in the bill and what she sees as the path forward for the legislation. Then, a panel of beef producer group leaders...

Congress has funded a White House conference on nutrition, hunger and health, setting the stage for the first such gathering since 1969. The issue has been a longtime priority for House Ag Committee member and Massachusetts Democrat Jim McGovern, who joins this week’s Newsmakers to discuss what he hopes will come from the event and how it might shape the upcoming farm bill. Then, a panel of expert...

The Federal Reserve announced an increase to interest rates this week in an effort to soften the blow of inflation on the economy. This we talk to Farm Credit Council’s Todd Van Hoose about the impacts the rate hike - and more planned increases in the future - will have on the farm economy. There’s also a panel discussion on the current state of the farm economy and what a leading panel of experts...

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is dominating the news as the world reacts on the battlefield and the trading floor. National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule offers his thoughts on how the action will impact American producers and consumers. Then, a panel discussion explores how the response to the invasion can be expected to look both domestically and globally. All that – plus a look...

The world reacted to a new military conflict this week as Russian forces launched attacks in Ukraine. The U.S. ag sector had reactions of its own on the commodity markets, but experts are also keeping a close eye on the potential long-term ramifications on trade relationships. Ag groups are also getting ready for the upcoming farm bill as Capitol Hill picks up the pace on oversight with more heari...

USDA officials are back on the road to promote U.S. ag goods to overseas buyers. Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitley joins Newsmakers to discuss the first trade mission in more than two years and what he’s hearing about the reputation of U.S. agriculture abroad. Then, a panel of experts talks about the trade conversation on Capitol Hill and across the country as a key authori...