Big news expected from the Environmental Protection Agency was delayed this week, leaving biofuels supporters a little more time to advocate for changes in last year’s proposed volumes for 2023-2025. Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss what he hopes to see in the announcement as well as how he plans to advocate for his priorities - including stricter payment limits - through the upcoming farm bill.Then, Texas A&M’s Bart Fischer and NSAC’s Mike Lavender take part in a panel discussion on the history of payment limits and what tightened policies would mean for producers and taxpayers alike.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: June 9, 2023: Rep. Tracey Mann, Angela Rachidi and Ellen Vollinger on farm bill priorities and politicsThe House Agriculture Committee stepped up its farm bill work this week with a lengthy hearing on the bill’s nutrition title and the end of a timeline for members of Congress to submit their priorities for consideration in the legislation. Committee member and Kansas Republican Tracey Mann joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on how lawmakers will sort through the long list of issues in the bill and what will be at the top of his agenda. Then, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program policy experts Angela Rachidi of the American Enterprise Institute and Ellen Vollinger with the Food Research & Action Center offer their thoughts on the nutrition title hearing as well as where the issue stands headed into the farm bill after the changes made in the debt ceiling bill. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

One year ago, highly pathogenic avian influenza was a major concern in the poultry industry; now, detections have dropped considerably, but USDA and the nation’s producers are maintaining their vigilance. USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the situation as well as how the department hopes its regional food centers will benefit producers.Then, Joel Brandenberger with the National Turkey Federation and Ashley Peterson with the National Chicken Council discuss the current HPAI outlook across the country, the issues surrounding vaccination conversations, and how the industry hopes to move forward.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The House Appropriations Committee delayed the consideration of a bill to fund several government agencies key to food and ag policy this week as debt ceiling talks lingered. Committee member and California Republican David Valadao joins Newsmakers to discuss that delay, his thoughts on some critical parts of the bill and analyze this week’s news on the Colorado River.Then, Sara Neagu-Reed with AmericanHort and Dennis Nuxoll with Western Growers join a panel discussion on issues critical to western producers and growers of fruits, vegetables and tree nuts throughout the country including water rights, labor, automation research and the upcoming farm bill. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The White House and Capitol Hill leaders continued their talks this week to find a deal that will raise the nation’s debt limit, and welfare program work requirements are playing a bigger and bigger role in the conversation. Former Ag Secretary Dan Glickman, who led USDA during the 1996 welfare reform effort, joins Newsmakers to offer his assessment of the ideas on the table as well as some farm bill changes being discussed. Then, Christine Cochran with SNAC International and Adam Wartheson with Organic Valley discuss what food companies are monitoring in the upcoming farm bill, the Federal Milk Marketing Order reform process, and throughout their supply chains. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The White House stepped up its involvement in a pair of issues key to farm policy this week, hosting meetings with congressional leaders to discuss the debt ceiling and the next farm bill. Kansas Republican and Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee member Jerry Moran joins Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on how the next few months in farm policy will shake out. Then, Chandler Goule with the National Association of Wheat Growers and Chelsea Good with the Livestock Marketing Association discuss how the issues will impact farmers and ranchers throughout the country.

President Joe Biden is set to welcome congressional leaders to the White House next week for debt ceiling negotiations, and farm policy experts are keeping a close eye on what the talks could mean for ag and food spending. Georgia’s Sanford Bishop, the top Democrat on the House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee, joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to offer his thoughts on the process and what it might mean for the upcoming farm bill and ag appropriations processes.Then, James Glueck with the Torrey Advisory Group and Jessica Schulken with The Russell Group discuss the lessons learned from previous debt ceiling debates and how the farm bill might be impacted based on how things have unfolded before.

House Republicans passed a bill to raise the nation’s debt ceiling this week, but the bill also includes several policy provisions certain to be targeted by the Biden administration and Senate Democrats in upcoming negotiations. House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Andy Harris, R-Md., joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss his thoughts on the bill and his priorities in the upcoming appropriations process.Then, Jim Richards with Cornerstone Government Affairs and Roger Szemraj with OFW Law take a look at the politics of the debt ceiling debate and offer their thoughts on what is up ahead as lawmakers look to fund the government and advance a farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Debt ceiling news ruled the day in Washington this week after House Republicans touted their plan to raise the nation’s debt limit. South Dakota Republican and Senate Ag Committee member John Thune, a key member of the chamber’s GOP leadership, takes a look at the possible implications of the proposal’s work requirement language and offers his thoughts on the upcoming farm bill.Then, Jeremy Peters with the National Association of Conservation Districts and Laura Wood Peterson with LWP Consulting take a look at the climate-smart funding in the Inflation Reduction Act and how it could impact conservation programs in the farm bill and beyond.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

A new survey out this week shows USDA is making improvements in its employee satisfaction, but attrition is hitting the workforce hard. Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux joins Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss the staffing needs in county offices across the country and offer a look at how.a more proactive approach to debt servicing is working for USDA borrowers.Then, Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union join to discuss the funding dynamics and political backdrop facing the upcoming farm bill.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD