Podcasts about agri pulse

A longtime crop insurance agent and member of both the Iowa and American Soybean Association board of directors, Pat Swanson may be new to USDA but not to the many crop insurance programs farmers depend on. On Newsmakers this week, we speak with Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson about her plans to lead the agency and how her background serving on the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation has prepared her for the role.Plus, hear from two former USDA undersecretaries, Robert Bonnie and Bruce Knight, for perspective on USDA's reorganization plan, which will move more than half of the 4,600 current Washington-based staff to five regional hubs across the U.S.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The Trump administration announced a trade deal with the European Union yesterday.  Meanwhile, talks with China continue to hold promise. US corn condition declined and soybeans improved as more of the crop moves deeper into the reproductive phase of growth. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association. The Budget Reconciliation Legislation approved by Congress included significant cuts to Medicaid. Morgan says rural healthcare facilities are already financially strapped and bear the brunt of providing health care to a disproportionate share of the populous that depends on government assistance for their needs.  Morgan is hopeful legislators will find additional funds to assist rural communities who may lose hospitals, healthcare clinics and long-term care facilities unless those funds are restored. 

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins released the long-awaited USDA reorganization plan this week including closure of some facilities and relocation of many staff to regional hubs across the country. We spoke with Maryland Rep. April McClain Delaney about the plan, including the closure of the Beltsville Ag Research Center in her state, as well as rural broadband deployment.Plus, Eric Steiner with OFW Law discusses what to expect in the skinny farm bill House Ag Chairman "GT" Thompson wants to move this fall, and Shirley Bloomfield from NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association explains what's needed to continue expanding broadband connectivity.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Agri-Pulse's Phil Brasher examines what states may benefit from additional base acres in the Budget Reconciliation Law. The Trump administration cancels loan guarantees for the Grain Belt Express. 

Members of the United Soybean Board, American Soybean Association and the U.S. Soybean Export council presented today in Brazil at a meeting of the International Oilseed Producers Association. ASA President Caleb Ragland responds to challenges raised by the MAHA Committee report. 

National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman says grower leaders made their case for legislation to approve year around sales of E-15, a new farm bill and greater access to global markets last week with legislators on Capitol Hill. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Carrie Vollmer-Sanders, President of Field to Market. Soon to celebrate its 20th anniversary, Field to Market is working to unite the supply chain to deliver sustainable outcomes for agriculture. The group's Fieldprint platform provides credible and measurable results of multiple crops and varied production practices. Field data from over 6 million acres is included in the platform with a new version set to be released in September. Vollmer-Sanders says farmers need innovative financing options to adopt new regenerative practices improving soil health and other benefits for the environment. 

John Bode with the Corn Refiners Association says a shift in ingredients by a major cola company would bring negative consequences for corn farmers and his industry. A possible rail industry merger is prompting concern in the ag industry on both service and fees. 

The Trump administration said ag would be exempt from immigration raids, then said that "no amnesty" will be shown for those employed in agriculture. We speak with Rep. Andrea Salinas, a Democratic Congresswoman representing Oregon's Willamette Valley, about the strain this uncertainty is putting on her district's producers as well as how staff reductions at the Forest Service could impact wildfire fighting abilities.Then, Rebeckah Adcock with the International Fresh Produce Association discusses her industry's trade concerns as President Trump's reciprocal tariff rate increase looms on August 1 and Michael Marsh with the National Council of Agricultural Employers discusses what he's hearing about ICE raids of agricultural businesses across the U.S.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Members of the House of Representatives are set to vote on a Senate approved rescission package tonight. President Trump has nominated Julie Callahan to serve on agriculture's trade front and the Senate Ag Committee has scheduled a hearing to approve another key leader at USDA. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Peter Bachmann, President and CEO of USA Rice. A global glut of rice and unfair trade practices has put U.S. rice producers at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the globe. Bachmann says USA Rice strongly supports the Trump administration using tariffs to create market opportunities for U.S. producers. He also discusses prospects for a new farm bill.

The reconciliation bill passed by Congress this month cuts nutrition program spending by an estimated $186 billion over ten years. We spoke with Rep. Shri Thanedar, an ag committee Democrat who represents the Detroit metropolitan area, who tells us that after the cuts to SNAP, "I don't think it's going to be smooth sailing for what you call the skinny farm bill."Then, Tara Smith with Torrey Advisory Group discusses when producers will see the boost to commodity and crop insurance programs included in reconciliation and Arlan Suderman at StoneX discusses the extension of the country-specific reciprocal tariff deadline.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

This week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers features comments on the farm economy and farm programs from Christy Seyfert of the Farm Credit Council and a look at the commodity market with AgResource Company founder Dan Basse. 

The Supreme Court opened the door for President Trump's plan to downsize the government. Secretary Rollins and some fellow cabinet members announce efforts to protect the nation's agriculture and EPA hears from industry on renewable fuel proposals.

President Trump's new tariffs on Japan and South Korea could challenge U.S. corn export sales. Judge Stephen Vaden was sworn in today as Deputy Secretary of USDA. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Lisa Lazarus, CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. HISA was formed as a legislative response to increased fatalities in horseracing. The body of industry leaders has been successful in establishing rules to protect both jockeys and animals. The successful evidence of their work is providing confidence for renewed  investment in the horseracing industry. Attendance at racetracks is growing and the industry is expanding, providing thousands of jobs across rural America and many urban areas. 

Sentiment in farm country has fluctuated with talk of trade wars, weakened commodity prices, as well as rising input and regulatory costs that are squeezing producers. Christy Seyfert, president and CEO of the Farm Credit Council, discusses the state of the farm economy and the benefits rural America will see from farm provisions passed in President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill.Then, Dan Basse, president of AgResource Company, discusses what the ag industry should brace for as President Trump's 90-day pause on tariffs could end on July 9.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

President Donald Trump is expected to sign budget reconciliation legislation following approval by the House of Representatives in a 218-214 vote today. The nation's economy added more jobs than expected last month. The nation's focus now is on debt and tariff wars. 

In addition to budget reconciliation legislation and better trade deals, President Trump appears to be giving attention to the nation's ag workforce issues. 

The USDA offered only slight downward adjustments in planted acreage for corn and soybeans for 2025. The Senate is working to meet President Trump's goal of July 4th for budget reconciliation legislation. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA The Rural Broadband Association. The Supreme Court confirmed the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund in a decision announced on Friday.  Bloomfield says NTCA applauds the decision as access to those funds is critical for expanding and maintaining broadband service to millions in rural America. Bloomfield says regulatory headwinds from the Trump administration are challenging previously approved work under the Biden administration. She applauds her members for providing broadband service to the nation but says there is still much work to be done. 

White House officials say it's up to President Trump to decide whether trading partners will be given additional time to resolve trade differences with the U.S. Domestic companies say China is proving slow to approve requests for exports of rare earth materials despite an agreement with Trump trade officials. 

Corn prices dropped to prices not seen since last October at just over $4.00 per bushel. Selling pressure is coming from expectations of a large planted acreage report from the USDA on Monday and a large Brazilian Safrinha crop. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Jeff Rowe, CEO of Syngenta Group. He says crop protection companies are looking to improve the health of human beings around the globe and boost agriculture's environmental footprint. In addition to their existing product portfolio, Rowe sees tremendous growth opportunities for artificial intelligence and biological products to enhance crop growth, sustainability, and nutrient efficiencies. However, U.S. regulatory headwinds may slow down access to some new products, especially compared to what's available for South American growers.

Agri-Pulse reports today that some members of Congress are growing uneasy with the pace of trade negotiations given the pending deadline posed by the Trump administration. Global fertilizer supplies are being impacted by the war between Iran and Israel. 

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was in Texas today to announce additional efforts to protect the U.S. from the spread of New World Screwworm. NCBA CEO Collin Woodall says the pest can be deadly for cattle but poses no threat to food safety. 

Fears of New World Screwworm drove livestock futures prices lower today. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will be joined by members of Congress for a press conference tomorrow announcing additional efforts to combat the pest.

U.S. corn and soybean condition and progress continues to advance according to USDA's latest Weekly Crop Progress Report. The Brazilian corn harvest is running behind last year's pace but scouts there see excellent crop potential. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. The most recent food insecurity numbers from the USDA suggest more people are food insecure today than during the Covid Pandemic. Babineaux-Fontenot says food donations and financial contributions are trending lower while more people are seeking assistance. Babineau-Fontenot strongly disagrees with GOP plans to change Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding, saying the cuts could create a 9.5 billion meal shortfall in the nation. 

Trade talks between the U.S. and China are reported going "very well" by administration officials. The Senate approves key positions at USDA and EPA and Trump steel tariffs could increase canned food prices. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Andy LaVigne, President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association. Members of ASTA will be in Washington this week spending time on Capitol Hill to lobby for issues critical to the seed industry's future.  LaVigne says along with their customers, ASTA members need the certainty of a new farm bill, free and open global markets as well as science-based regulations that will protect the industry from litigation. 

Representatives of the National Pork Producers Council continue to call on Congress to approve a completely new farm bill. NPPC is pleased that the reconciliation package included needed farm program updates, but say the budget bill doesn't include everything the industry needs. 

As promised, President Trump is raising tariffs on aluminum and steel. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley supports whole milk on school menus and the World Pork Expo opens tomorrow at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. 

This week's Open Mic guest is U.S. Representative Angie Craig, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee. The Minnesota Democrat stands in strong opposition to the House Reconciliation Act that took billions of dollars from the SNAP program to make room for tax cuts and adds to the nation's budget deficit. Craig opposes the Trump administration's use of tariffs and doesn't believe the nation's farm economy can withstand the economic challenges presented by reciprocal tariffs from offended trading partners. Craig says change to farm and food programs should come from regular order in Congress and not from the MAHA Commission. 

Comments from former Agriculture Secretaries Dan Glickman and Mike Johanns preview this week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers as well as comments from House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig who's featured in the upcoming Agri-Pulse Open Mic. Reconciliation, tariffs and farm programs are featured topics.

The legal challenge over President Trump's authority to impose tariffs on global trading partners took another turn this afternoon. A stay will allow the U.S. to continue to collect tariffs until the appeal process plays out. 

Over 300 agriculture and related groups sent a letter calling on Congress to enact the bipartisan Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act. The groups say state labeling requirements contradict EPA's scientific findings on pesticide safety. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Neil Caskey, CEO of the National Corn Growers Association. Caskey says last week's Make America Healthy Again report overshadowed the news of updates to the nation's farm programs and tax policy in the House of Representatives. Caskey is anxious to see the EPA's pending RVO announcement under the Renewable Fuel Standard and hopes Congress can finally approve year-round E-15 legislation. He says the nation's corn growers are willing to give President Trump's trade policy time to play out, but they hope the exercise leads to increased market access. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Chandler Goule, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers. The budget reconciliation debate introduced much needed changes to farm programs that many agriculture groups have hoped for, but Goule says there are many needed provisions that were orphaned in the reconciliation process and need to be addressed. Like others, Goule is concerned about the consequences of U.S. tariffs and retaliation by other countries. He is also concerned about keeping wheat acres competitive with other crops so acres don't continue to fall. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman. The Arkansas Republican says updating farm programs under budget reconciliation won't be easy but is a way forward to update risk management tools for farmers. Boozman believes SNAP program funds can be cut without reducing benefits for those in need and discusses President Trump's tariff tactics to bring better trade relationships for farmers and industry.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins told farm broadcasters the department's downsizing plan would be released next week. Rollins said President Trump would soon be announcing new global trade agreements. 

Agriculture leaders shared their goals for a new farm bill and updated tax policy with the nation's farm broadcasters this afternoon in Washington. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis for the American Sugar Alliance. Johansson says sugar growers are facing the same economic headwinds of high input costs and marginal commodity prices. Growers hope for a new farm bill with updates in crop insurance and marketing loan prices reflective of current market conditions. Johansson says growers still satisfy a majority of domestic sugar demand and support sound science regarding dietary guidance coming from Washington.

President Trump's proposed budget for 2026 points to continued downsizing of some government agencies and programs. One Maine Democrat says SNAP funds are off limits for upgrading farm programs.

Farm policy makers on Capitol Hill are searching for options in a challenging legislative landscape to update portions of farm policy.  NCBA's Ethan Lane says they're pleased with an agreement between the U.S. and Mexico to keep a dangerous pest south of the border. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Beth Ford, President and CEO of Land O' Lakes. While the cooperative is known for its dairy products, Ford says two thirds of their member enterprises are in other segments of agriculture. Ford says low bulk commodity returns coupled with inflation's impact on inputs have brought financial stress to many operations and uncertainty over global market access further clouds farmer's financial outlook. She now chairs the Immigration Committee of the Business Roundtable and says agriculture desperately needs an adequate workforce as well as a new farm bill and updated tax policy.

This week's Open Mic guest is Steve Censky, CEO of the American Soybean Association.  Soybean farmers face surmountable challenges from low crop prices, high input costs and an uncertain future demand outlook. Censky hopes the current trade war is short-lived and brings worthy results. Censky says soybean farmers are watching closely the downsizing at USDA and holding out hope Congress can deliver a new farm bill this year. The EPA's pending RVO announcement could be the determining factor between profit and loss in 2025. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Congressman Frank Lucas. The Oklahoma 3rd District representative says covid, global military conflicts and trade have heightened concern surrounding the size of the nation's debt. He believes it is right to question government spending with proper oversight and says the upcoming budget reconciliation process will be the "wildest political rodeo" voters have ever seen. Lucas guided the legislature into approving the 2014 farm bill and wants to see a new bill this year.

This week's Open Mic guest is Adam Bergman, Managing Director at EchoTech Capital. While opinions still widely vary regarding what sustainability really means, Bergman stands in the gap between would be investors and those willing to adopt certain sustainable practices.  In agriculture the topics include regenerative farming,  a vast array of climate smart practices and even indoor farming. Washington has proven that financial support for renewable fuels as well as electricity from solar and wind sources can influence growth. Moving forward, the question remains which energy sources will see favor from Capitol Hill and what agricultural practices investors will support toward a greener environment and stronger food security.