Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Kentucky First District Representative James Comer. The Kentucky Republican is one of a few elected officials who actively farms for a living and recognizes the challenge of approving new farm policy. In this interview, Comer discusses proposed budget cuts on agriculture and nutrition programs and Medicaid. Comer says the Dodd Frank legislation has hurt his district and may prevent farmers access to loans next year. As a beef producer, Comer supports efforts to protect livestock farmers but admits funding is an issue.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Terry O’Neel, President of the National Pork Board. The Nebraska hog farmer says growth is the key word for the U.S. Swine industry with increased global demand and expanded offerings for pork at restaurants across the country. In this interview O’Neel shares a new direction for product promotion, the Pork Board’s proactive effort to maintain a secure pork supply and pork producer outreach to a new generation of pork consumers.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Dr. Sally Rockey, Executive Director for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research. The FFAR was established in the 2014 Farm Bill to further the work of the Department of Agriculture by identifying potential immediate and long term researchable questions that could bring stability and growth to the nation’s food supply as well as find matching funds to maximize taxpayer dollars in research. As the Senate Ag Committee focuses on the farm bill research title this week, the FFAR will make its case for reauthorization in the upcoming farm bill to continue efforts to build partnerships asking the right questions for solutions to propel the ag industry forward.

This week’s Open Mic guest is U.S. Senator Steve Daines. The Montana Republican hosted Senate Ag Chair Pat Roberts and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue at the state’s ag summit last week in Great Falls. In this interview, Daines discusses the significance of a return to beef trade with China and his perspective on renegotiating the NAFTA with Canada and Mexico. Daines shares thoughts on the Trump administration’s bi-lateral trade agenda and the need for comprehensive tax reform. Daines supports protecting risk management tools including crop insurance in the new farm bill and offers thoughts on amending implementation of the ARC county program.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Representative Kristi Noem. As a member of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the South Dakota Republican is intent to see tax reform completed this year. While she disagrees with President Trump’s agriculture budget proposals she is pleased to see the effort to reel in the deficit and balance the nation’s budget. Noem fully supports the nation’s crop insurance program and believes an adequate agriculture safety net is a matter of national security.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Jay Vroom, President and CEO of CropLife America. Today’s crop farmers are demanding new technology to maintain profitability and improve the sustainability of their operations. In this interview, Vroom explains the industry’s need for timely legislative action on the Pesticide Registration Enhancement Act and how the Endangered Species Act is affecting the crop protection industry. Vroom is pleased with the direction of the Trump EPA and has high hopes for new leadership at the USDA.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. While U.S. ethanol producers are enjoying growth in domestic and global markets for their product, the industry closely monitors pending decisions in Washington and foreign governments that could impact their outlook. In this interview, Dinneen discusses the crumbling blend wall and why the EPA’s decisions on E-15 and point of obligation are critical to the growing success of the renewable fuels industry. And you’ll hear Dineen clear the air on proposed Trump administrative action on ethanol.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Betsy Ward, President and CEO of USA Rice. The U.S. rice industry is struggling against large global supplies and low prices. In this interview, Ward identifies the challenges of competing globally against subsidized competition and the immediate reaction of Mexican trade officials to the Trump administration announced plans to withdraw from NAFTA. Ward says Title 1 PLC payments and the conservation program are high priorities for US rice farmers in the new farm bill, as well as cooperation of commodity groups. Ward also shares thoughts on cash or commodities for global food aid.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. As the Senate Ag Ranking member, Stabenow is preparing to host the committee’s second field hearing this Saturday at Michigan State. In this interview Stabenow discusses option of rewriting new policy or tweaking current farm programs, increasing idled acres under the Conservation Reserve Program and including urban agriculture in the farm bill. Senator Stabenow shares concern with the Trump trade policy, frustration over the administration’s budget proposal and support for new Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Dan Basse, President of AgResource Company. Congress will soon write a new farm bill in a much different global agriculture climate. In this interview, Basse discusses the challenge of crafting policy for an industry plagued with oversupply and the threat of even lower crop prices. Basse discusses options like supply management and acreage reduction and how President Trump’s trade agenda plays into the challenges facing U.S. farmers and ranchers.