Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

This week's Open Mic guest is Oregon's 2nd District Congressman Cliff Bentz, who says a dry spring has impacted the diverse list of crops grown in his state as well as challenged ranchers with forage supplies. He supports the USMCA trade accord and hopes the review of the North American trade agreement will keep borders open and provide opportunities for fair trade. Bentz supports additional financial assistance for farmers and makes the case for ending endangered species protection for wolves.

This week's Open Mic guest is Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited. Count members and leaders of Ducks Unlimited among those lobbying Congress to approve new farm programs. Putnam, the former Florida legislator, says the farm bill is the single largest conservation program in the nation. He describes how DU members actively work with farmers and ranchers improving wildlife habitat by conserving water and improving tillage and grazing

This week's Open Mic guest is U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. The Mississippi Republican was pleased to see a new farm bill proposal approved by the House and is eager to discuss policy options with other ag leaders on the Senate Ag Committee. Hyde-Smith says farmers in the Delta states have seen their own set of challenges this year and makes the case for additional financial assistance. She discusses her bill, the Buying American Cotton Act and how it can revitalize the cotton industry in the South.

This week's Open Mic guest is Sam Kieffer, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers. Wheat growers are pleased to see the House version of the Farm Bill approved, including several provisions important to their industry. Kieffer says high input costs and uncertain markets are pressuring growers and without additional financial assistance from Congress, more producers will be forced out of business. He also describes several promising new opportunities for wheat and calls on Congress to approve more research dollars.

This week's Open Mic guest is Bryan Humphreys, CEO of the National Pork Producers Council. Commodity groups are hopeful the House will soon approve a new farm bill. While most hope to see attention to the remaining titles of farm programs, the nation's pork producers want to see a legislative solution to California's Proposition 12 animal welfare law that's attached to the House Ag Committee's farm bill. Humphreys also shares how swine producers support free trade.

This week's Open Mic guest is Dr. Peter Beetham, Co-Founder and President of Cibus. Agriculture technology has made major advances since the introduction of genetic engineering in the 1990's. Beetham says Cibus works to develop traits for seed companies through genetic engineering. Beetham explains how decisions by the European Parliament and the U.S. The Supreme Court can help outline the future of agriculture research. Beetham says genetic engineering can provide a pathway to crop output traits desirable to meet today's consumer needs.

This week's Open Mic guest is Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. Fordyce says USDA staff is working to implement farm program updates provided under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, disburse funds under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program as well as disaster assistance to farmers who have suffered loss to natural disasters and wildfires. He discusses USDA reorganization efforts and how the agency is trying to streamline applications and reporting.

This week's Open Mic guest is John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association. The annual "Feeding the Economy Report" was recently released, indicating the food and agriculture sector contributes over $10 trillion to the nation's economy and provides over 49 million jobs. Bode discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by the recent Dietary Guidelines and by the MAHA Commission. He says CRA members support free trade and hope for a successful review of the USMCA trade agreement.

This week's Open Mic guest is Viren Popli, President and CEO of Mahindra North America. The world's largest tractor manufacturer by volume has been growing its customer base between farmers, ranchers and landowners for over two decades. While the machines are assembled in the United States, Popli says the company has been forced to embrace import tariffs from the Trump administration. He sees hope that India and the U.S. could become better trading partners.  Popli says rural development is a key reason Congress needs to complete a new farm bill.

This week's Open Mic guest is Steve Censky, CEO of the American Soybean Association. Soybean growers face a number of headwinds approaching a new crop year. High input costs and low commodity prices are squeezing producer profit potential. Censky says uncertain export opportunities, questions over government incentives for renewable fuel, and an outdated farm bill only add to grower uncertainty.  He also comments on government efforts to investigate why fertilizer and other input prices are higher.