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