Hundreds of women gathered in Orlando for the Women in Agribusiness Summit. We spoke with Alejandra Castillo from the North American Export Grain Association about how the ag sector could be affected by port fees set to go into effect Oct. 14. We also ask Polly Ruhland with FTI Consulting about the shifting dynamic between food producers and consumers, and Maria McWhorter from Kynetec about farmers’ views of the farm economy.Sara Neagu-Reed was awarded the Women in Agribusiness Demeter Award of Excellence at the event. We discuss how her upbringing in Oakland, California, and roots in Romania have guided her career.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

China, the largest purchaser of U.S. soybeans, has yet to make a purchase from this fall's crop. We asked executive head of Terrain Ag John Newton how long the lack of purchasing could go on, if U.S. grain storage capacity can accommodate the bin-busting crop with limited export markets, and how softening interest rates may affect the farm economy.Plus, Krista Swanson from the National Corn Growers Association discusses a recent survey that shows a majority of corn farmers see an economic crisis brewing and Brandon Lipps with Caprock Strategies explains the potential far-reaching impacts of the Make America Healthy Again Commission's final report on other pieces of policy like the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The Make America Healthy Again Commission unveiled a final report which suggests easing some regulations on farms, increasing research on precision agriculture technology and removing restrictions on whole milk sales in schools. We asked Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall about the report and how MAHA could expand through states in the future.Then, T.A. Hawks with Monument Advocacy and Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union discuss trade, concerns about brain drain at USDA and the prospects for emergency farm assistance as well as a skinny farm bill this fall.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Congress has returned to Washington after the August recess. House Ag Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson tells us he still wants to take committee action on “farm bill 2.0” in September and is eyeing including farm aid payments funded through tariff revenue. During our conversation, we discuss some of the top issues facing agriculture this fall: Farm income, trade, ag labor reform, the USDA reorganization plan, and his priorities in "farm bill 2.0." Then, Callie Eideberg with the Vogel Group and Tom Sell with Combest, Sell & Associates discuss the USDA’s farm income forecast, trade and the possibility of farm aid payments this fall.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Harvest is quickly approaching, but grower groups and the ag industry are on edge as China has yet to make a purchase from the fall U.S. soybean crop. At the Farm Progress Show, we asked American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland about the letter ASA sent to President Trump urging a trade deal with China and about his conversation with Deputy Ag Secretary Stephen Vaden at the show. Rabobank's Stephen Nicholson says he thinks circumstances have changed too much since the China Phase One trade agreement to secure a similar deal now.Plus, National Corn Growers Association first vice president Jed Bower says the expected record corn crop is causing a push for year-round E-15. Austin Gellings from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers discusses how equipment companies are dealing with tariffs and Robb Ewoldt with the United Soybean Board discusses diversifying uses of U.S. soy both domestically and internationally.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

China has not made any U.S. soybean purchases from this fall's crop, which has growers concerned about the relationship with the largest U.S. soybean purchaser ahead of harvest. We asked Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, about the trade landscape and what he's watching for in USDA’s quarterly ag trade outlook due out next week. Plus, we discuss how NASDA members are partners in New World screwworm eradication efforts.Then, Texas State Veterinarian Dr. Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges and Boehringer Ingelheim's Steve Boren discuss Ag Sec. Brooke Rollins' recent New World screwworm investment in Texas and the private sector's role supporting eradication and treatment efforts.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The public is anxiously awaiting the release of the second Make America Healthy Again Commission report. Cathy Burns, president and CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association, discusses the opportunities her group sees in the upcoming guidance, the need for ag labor reform and when consumers may begin to see higher produce prices caused by tariffs.Plus, Dan Basse from AgResource Company discusses USDA's bin-busting corn crop projections and China's lack of soybean purchasing this year. Becky Rasdall Vargas from the International Dairy Foods Association joins the conversation to discuss the current trade landscape and the foreign shipbuilding port fees that will go into effect this fall.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

House Ag Committee Chair "GT" Thompson wants to take action on a skinny farm bill this fall. We spoke with ranking members of both the House and Senate Ag Committees, Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, at the Minnesota FarmFest about their priorities within a skinny farm bill and their willingness to negotiate after nutrition program cuts in reconciliation.Plus, AFBF President Zippy Duvall discusses his group's priorities for the second Make America Healthy Again Commission Report due to be released next week, Rep. Brad Finstad defends the need to include a Prop 12 legislative fix in a skinny farm bill, and Rep. Michelle Fischbach reviews President Trump's trade negotiations so far.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

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

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