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

Republicans will take control of the Senate in January, making John Boozman chairman of the Senate Ag Committee. We asked him about his plans for the committee, including collaborating with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who's in line to be the ranking member, and how Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees may influence agriculture.Then, Laura Wood from LWP Consulting and Invariant’s Danielle Beck discuss the contentious House Ag Committee ranking member race and the future of the farm bill in a new Congress.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

California Rep. Jim Costa is challenging the House Ag Committee’s current ranking member, David Scott of Georgia, and Angie Craig of Minnesota for the top Democratic position on the panel. We ask about Costa’s vision for the committee.Then, we talk with two of Brooke Rollins’ former colleagues to learn how she may lead the Ag Department if confirmed. Drew DeBerry from Axis Strategies and Corey Rosenbusch from The Fertilizer Institute share their perspective.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up for free!: http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

A challenging farm economy and clean fuels tax credit decision could lead to changes for farm country in 2025.We look ahead at big issues for the new year with farm group leaders, including American Soybean Association President Josh Gackle, National Sorghum Producers Chairwoman Amy France, National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. and United Soybean Export Council Board Director Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The race is on to pass a farm bill extension before the end of the year after Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow released her farm bill text this week and it was rejected by Republicans. We asked Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., about the future of the farm bill and prospects for a package of market loss relief and disaster aid in December.Then, NASDA’s RJ Karney and NFU’s Aaron Shier discuss what agriculture can expect from the Trump administration.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

It’s official: Republicans have won control of the House as well as the Senate and White House.Biofuel policy, the farm bill and trade could see changes under the new administration and Congress. We asked Torrey Advisory Group President Michael Torrey, NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys, American Sugarbeet Growers Assn. CEO Luther Markwart and ACE CEO Brian Jennings about their outlook from the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual meeting.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Donald Trump won the presidency and the GOP won control of the Senate this week. Some House race votes are still being tallied.We sat down with two former agriculture secretaries, Dan Glickman from the Clinton administration and Mike Johanns from the Bush administration, to discuss what could be ahead regarding trade and immigration policy, as well as the possible role of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the Trump administration.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up for free! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD