Challenged to enhance sustainability and increase productivity, the crop industry continues to search for new scientific benchmarks to meet the growing demand for food, fiber and fuel. Jim Blome, President and CEO of Bayer CropScience says the company is heavily invested in discovering new benchmarks in genetics, conventional plant breeding, biologics, and crop protection. Blome says the crop science industry needs consistent and predictable domestic and global regulatory system to give farmers access to new innovations in the industry.SELECT NOW FOR DAILY AUDIOJim Blome, Pres & CEO Bayer CropScience

Members of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives have real concerns with the EPA regulatory proposals for waters of the US and are hopeful congress will step up with meaningful immigration reform. Chuck Conner says while farmers are busy in their fields with the 2014 harvest, cooperative members are on task with handling, drying and storing an expected record corn and soybean crop this year.Jeff NalleyChuck Conner, President, CEO of NCFC

Field to Market is a diverse multi-stakeholder alliance including nearly every aspect of the food supply chain to define sustainability in today's agriculture and provide food for future generations. This group of farmers, food manufacturers, agribusinesses and conservationists is guided by science and outcomes to help farmers become better stewards. Fresh from a White House meeting on this topic, President Rod Snyder explains how the sum of their effort is a better understanding of the balance of nature and the growing need for more and better food.Jeff NalleyRod Snyder, President Field to Market

American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman hopes the lame duck session of the congress can agree to preserve cash accounting for farmers and ranchers as well as restoring the Section 179 advanced depreciation option. Stallman hopes the Obama administration stays within their authority on any potential action on immigration reform and still calls on the Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw their proposed rule on Waters of the United States. Stallman encourages trade negotiators to “hang tough” against those countries who are reluctant to open their borders to US agricultural products.SELECT NOW FOR DAILY AUDIOBob Stallman

With last week’s announcement of the final rules for the Agriculture Risk Coverage Program and the Price Loss Coverage Program, farmers and landowners can now begin the process of sign-up for risk protection under the new farm law. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA is ready for what promises to be a challenging task for FSA staff and the nation’s crop farmers. Vilsack has a wish list for the upcoming lame duck session of congress and says ongoing trade talks with the Japanese have implications far beyond the Trans-Pacific Partnership.SELECT NOW FOR DAILY AUDIOUSDA Secretary Tom Vilsack

Dow AgroSciences announced a long awaited USDA approval for a new crop herbicide last week as well as a collaborative research and development agreement to benefit livestock producers. CEO Tim Hassinger says strategic agreements help companies share risk, resources and expertise in an effort to help agriculture meet the food and fiber needs of a growing planet.Jeff NalleyTim Hassinger, CEO Dow AgroSciences

Congress is running short of time to deal with a continuing resolution to fund the government into Fiscal 2015. Alabama 4th District Representative Robert Aderholt, who serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related agencies, shares his outlook on the funding bill and controversial topics like the Export-Import Bank and school lunch guidelines.SELECT NOW FOR DAILY AUDIORepresentative Robert Aderholt

Iowa's 4th District Representative Steve King says a budget agreement for the new fiscal year is a top legislative priority for the House of Representatives this month. On regulations, King says the EPA's Waters of the U. S. Rule is an administrative over reach and another example of an overzealous administration.SELECT NOW FOR DAILY AUDIORep. Steve King

David Friedberg, CEO of The Climate Corporation says new sensor technologies, data management and storage is bringing a transformation to the agriculture industry. His company is a pioneer in data science gathering pertinent data to create a perpetually evolving model allowing farmers to better predict outcomes in their farming operations. Acquired by Monsanto last year, The Climate Corporation is now covering 50-mllion acres with their free service "Climate Basic" and introduced a $3 dollar per acre subscription advisory service fee for a premium service "Climate Pro" this past week at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.SELECT NOW FOR DAILY AUDIODavid Friedberg, CEO of The Climate Corporation

Michael Brown with the National Chicken Council says growing demand for protein and lower feed prices are giving reason for optimism in the chicken industry. Trade issues with Russia are challenging but will be eclipsed by demand from other global and domestic customers.SELECT NOW FOR DAILY AUDIOMichael Brown, President of NCC