Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

This week’s guest on Open Mic is US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. In this exclusive interview, the Kentucky Republican shares a very dismal view for approving a new trade agreement this year and his plans to see the appropriations process complete under regular order. McConnell shares his frustration with the Obama administration’s environmental agenda and thoughts on finding a compromise on federal preemption legislation to prevent state labeling laws on foods with ingredients from genetically enhanced crops.Jeff NalleySenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

This week’s guest is Alabama 4th District Representative Robert Aderholt, who chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture. In this week’s interview, Aderholt discusses his views on how appropriators addressed issues like SNAP benefits, rural development, sodium restrictions, additional testing for antibiotics in livestock production, crop insurance and funds to educate consumers on genetically engineered crops - and some of the challenges ahead when the bill hits the House floor, perhaps as early as next month.Jeff NalleyRepresentative Robert Aderholt - Alabama

This week's Open Mic features U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman and Kevin Kester, a California beef producer and vice president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. In this interview, Froman and Kester layout what they say are the short- and long-term advantages of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Ambassador Froman talks about the effect TPP will have on China and potential consequences of failing to ratify the trade deal. Froman and Kester also preview the next round of trade discussions with Europe in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership talks later this month in New York.

Jeff NalleyUS Trade Ambassador Michael Froman and Kevin Kester, VP NCBAFromanKester.JPG

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association. The Federal Communications Commission followed last year’s designation of broadband as a utility with additional support for internet service providers to bring communications to a larger section of rural America. In this week’s interview, Bloomfield discusses the complicated decisions involved with providing greater broadband access to farmers, rural businesses, schools, hospitals and more. But big questions remain on who supports those new revenue streams and if funding caps will allow companies to maintain affordable service for rural residents.Jeff NalleyShirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA - Rural Broadband Assoc.

This week’s guest on Open Mic features Kendal Frazier, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. In this informative interview, Frazier responds to the challenges presented by the EPA’s WOTUS rules and how new ozone standards can be a detriment to land management. On trade, Frazier says the TPP agreement must be ratified by Congress to maintain markets and gain access to the globe’s growing middle class. Frazier shares thoughts on a voluntary COOL proposal, the need for congressional action on endangered species laws and the ongoing effort with the CME group to address market volatility.Jeff NalleyKendal Frazier, CEO of National Cattlemen's Beef Assoc.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Paul Johnson,

co-chair of the U.S. Ag Coalition for Cuba.

President Obama’s historical trip to Havana last week was another step

in the administration’s effort to normalize relations between the U.S. and our

closest Communist neighbor to the south.

In this interview, Johnson says Cuban policy is no longer “somebody

else’s issue.” Johnson believes Cuban trade policy has implications throughout Latin America and says Secretary Vilsack has changed the game toward better

relations between the two countries and in establishing new market

opportunities between the two sides.Jeff NalleyPaul Johnson, Co-Chair U.S. Ag Coalition for Cuba

This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senator John Thune. In this interview, the South Dakota Republican shares his frustration with the chamber’s failure to craft a national voluntary labeling bill for foods that contain ingredients from genetically enhanced crops. Senator Thune points attention to the role the minority must play in bringing the issue to a successful conclusion. Thune also addresses President Obama’s plan to cut crop insurance funding and questions the administration’s commitment to seeing congressional approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. While Senator Thune supports additional trade with Cuba, he has reservations about the steps President Obama has taken to normalize trading between the two countries.Jeff NalleySenator John Thune- SD

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Rod Snyder, President of Field to Market. With nearly 100 members and growth in active projects, sourcing programs and participating acres, the alliance for sustainable agriculture is answering consumer calls for transparency in food production. In this interview, Snyder discusses how the food production industry is placing greater emphasis on sustainability and responds to calls for federal standards to define sustainable agriculture.Jeff NalleyRod Snyder, President, Field to Market

This week’s guest on Open Mic is John Bode, CEO and President of the Corn Refiners Association, who talks about the chaos, confusion and higher food costs that could result if Vermont’s GMO labeling law goes into effect July 1. Senate Agriculture leaders are wrestling with a path forward to preempt the law with a new federal labeling standard. In this timely interview, Bode offers results of a study measuring the per household cost of state mandated labels. Bode offers the Corn Refiners view of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement and suggests needed change in how the federal government develops federal nutrition policy.

Jeff NalleyJohn Bode, Pres. Corn Refiners Association

This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, who shares make or break provisions of the GMO labeling bill scheduled for consideration this week. The North Dakota Democrat sees the food labeling debate as another opportunity to consider a voluntary Country-of-Origin Labeling program for meat. She also talks about currency manipulation and expanded trade opportunities for farmers and ranchers. Heitkamp favors expanded trade with Cuba and has introduced legislation to allow private financing for commodities. She’s concerned about attacks to current farm programs and has begun policy discussions on the next farm bill, with a focus on research and rural development.

Jeff NalleySen. Heidi Heitkamp