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 titl...
Jun 11, 2017
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 prote...
Jun 04, 2017
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...
May 28, 2017
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 l...
May 21, 2017
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 i...
May 14, 2017
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 ...
May 07, 2017
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 adminis...
Apr 30, 2017
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.
Apr 23, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Darren Ash, Chief Information officer for the Farm Service Agency. As legislators prepare to write new farm policy, work is already underway at the USDA to receive, store, manage and share data to implement the new plan. The National Ag Imagery Program includes up to date aerial photography as well as digitizing over a half century of farm images to be used by various federal agencies.
Apr 16, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Congressman John Shimkus, who represents the 15th district in Illinois. He talks about the challenges his fellow GOP leaders face in changing Washington. As a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Shimkus discusses a rewrite of the Renewable Fuel Standard and how he views the Trump administration’s role in making needed improvements in the nation’s infrastructure as well as reform of WOTUS regulations.
Apr 09, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Andy LaVigne, President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association. In this week’s interview LaVigne describes an industry in a state of regulatory flux. Decisions are pending on regulations proposed under the Obama administration and anticipated under the Trump administration on biotech labeling and approval of new techniques in plant breeding. LaVigne shares industry concerns on global trade agreements and goals for the 2018 farm bill.
Apr 02, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. In this interview, the Kentucky Republican shares thoughts on this year’s legislative outlook including immigration reform, corporate tax reform and the challenges endured by the coal industry. McConnell says the status quo on “Obamacare” is not sustainable and the “ball is in his court,” when it comes to President Trump and new trade agreements.
Mar 26, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Tom Hammer, President of the National Oilseed Processors Association. Fresh from a meeting with Trump administration trade officials last week Hammer provides a firsthand account of the discussion between agriculture leaders and the White House. Hammer gives an accounting of the oilseed processing industry’s overall health and growth outlook including the growing bioeconomy. Hammer echoes calls for domestic infrastructure investment and regulatory reform.
Mar 19, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council. Despite what appears to be higher cotton plantings in 2017, the cotton industry is still under siege from low crop prices, global competition and competing synthetic fibers. In this interview Adams outlines goals for the upcoming 2018 farm bill as well as continued hopes for short term financial assistance until the new policy is implemented. Adams says the cotton industry is keeping a close eye on the...
Mar 12, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Ohio Representative Bob Gibbs. As a farmer and Republican Member of Congress, Gibbs has been outspoken in the need to roll back government regulation. He supports President Trump's executive order on the EPA WOTUS rule. In this interview Gibbs outlines his legislation to end duplicate regulations on point source pesticide application, the need to curtail federal spending, SNAP program reform and an overhaul of government tax reform.
Mar 05, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Minnesota Seventh District Congressman Collin Peterson. As Ranking Member on the House Agriculture Committee, Peterson delivers thoughts on the need for timely action on a new farm bill with several reforms. Peterson shares his thoughts on bi-lateral trade negotiation, immigration reform and his reservations on corporate tax reform proposals.
Feb 26, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Leif Magnusson, President of CLAAS Global Sales Americas, Inc and Chair of the AEM Infrastructure 2050 Task Force. In this interview Magnusson shares thoughts on the challenge of the extended downturn in U.S. farm income and industry hopes for stability in 2017. Magnusson discusses the implications of the Trump administration’s trade agenda, need for corporate tax reform and regulatory relief. Magnusson outlines the challenges of a failing transportation infrastr...
Feb 19, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is John Bode, President and CEO of the Corn Refiners Association. In this interview Bode shares his hopes for a more active pace from Washington to ease regulation, reform taxes and negotiate trade agreement to stimulate the American economy. While many fear a renegotiation the North American Free Trade Agreement, the CRA sees opportunity to enhance trade growth. Bode anticipates a better working relationship between the USDA and EPA to stimulate the bio-economy. Bo...
Feb 12, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Tom Stenzel, President and CEO of the United Fresh Produce Association. In this week’s interview Stenzel identifies the top threat to the fruit and vegetable industry and how a shift in cabinet jurisdiction will still not resolve the matter. Stenzel welcomes a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement but strongly opposes a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for a wall between the two countries. Stenzel says the produce industry supports the ...
Feb 05, 2017
This week's guest on Open Mic is House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway. In this informative interview the Texas Republican outlines his faith in the Trump administration's trade agenda as well as thoughts on how to unwind the Obama WOTUS rule. Chairman Conaway discusses the challenging economic climate and the timing of discussion and consideration of a new farm bill. Conaway says the budget baseline will be a challenge for developing food and agriculture policy and will remain a top priority ...
Jan 29, 2017
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Tracy Brunner, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. As the group prepares for its 120th convention next month, Brunner reflects on the obstacles the industry has overcome and shares high hopes for the Trump administration and the 115th Congress. In this interview the 4th generation Kansas cattleman calls for regulatory reform, an end to the death tax, and a fair fight for trade agreements including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and with T-TIP n...
Jan 25, 2017
This week's guest on Open Mic is Mike Brown, president of the National Chicken Council. With much of U.S. agriculture struggling with low commodity prices, Brown says the poultry industry is beginning an upswing with good domestic and global consumer demand. Brown is outspoken in opposition to the USDA's new GIPSA rules and expects litigation or legislation to thwart executive branch attempts to levy greater restrictions on the meat and livestock industry. Global markets represent over a fifth o...
Jan 15, 2017
This week's guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senator John Boozman. As a member of senate committees on Appropriations, Agriculture, Budget as well as Environment and Public Works, the Arkansas Republican will be in the thick of major issues for agriculture and rural America. In this interview, Boozman discusses scaling back the Obama administration's regulatory agenda, budget reconciliation, a Trump appointment for the Supreme Court, comprehensive tax reform, the challenge of balancing the agriculture ...
Jan 08, 2017
This week's guest on Open Mic is Georgia farmer Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. In this interview Duvall previews highlights of the group's 98th Convention coming January 6-11th in Phoenix, Arizona. Aside from contests, awards and keynote speakers, the AFBF's delegate session promises a thorough preview of potential policy proposals for a new farm bill. Duvall details last year's victories including biotech disclosure legislation and outlines where the fight again...
Jan 01, 2017
This week's guest on Open Mic is Bill Even, who was selected as CEO of the National Pork Board in June. The former South Dakota Director of Agriculture discusses both growth and growing pains in the pork industry. With a fourth of U.S. production destine for export customers, Even shares hopes for global growth in the year ahead. Animal health is a priority for the pork industry and Even shares the National Pork Board's continuing efforts for disease preparedness and industry efforts to meet con...
Dec 25, 2016
This week's guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts. In this year-end interview the Kansas Republican discusses the USDA's recently announced GIPSA rules and the challenges he sees the language presents for packers and livestock producers. Looking at Trump's trade agenda, he's concerned about what's ahead for farm exports and renewable fuels. Roberts also shares thoughts on a new farm bill, including suggestions for those who want to separate nutrition and farm programs...
Dec 18, 2016
This week's guest on Open Mic is Tom Martin, President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation. In this week's interview Martin explains forest owners desire to amend federal policy to treat wildfires as natural disasters preserving funding for land conservation and stewardship programs. Martin explains how estate taxes threaten family forest owners and says amendments to corporate taxes could provide benefits as well as challenges for the nation's tree farmers. The American Forest Foundation ...
Dec 11, 2016
This week's guest on Open Mic is Philip Seng, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. A shift in global markets has brought a rebound to U.S. red meat exports in 2016. In this week's interview, Seng talks about the year ahead for meat trade and how the protectionist rhetoric from the campaign trail is already impacting our trading partners. He also addresses the risks and potential rewards from trading with China and the strong dollar's effect on U.S. meat export sales. Jeff Nalley...
Dec 04, 2016
This week's guest on Open Mic is Carrie Calvert, Director of Tax and Commodity Policy at Feeding America. The United States is said to be the best fed nation on the planet, but one in seven of its residents is considered food insecure. Calvert outlines how her organization, often in partnership with public and private programs, helps bring food to those in need. Calvert discusses potential nutrition program cuts through budget reconciliation and the important links between farm and nutrition pro...
Nov 27, 2016
This week's guest on Open Mic is Ambassador Michael Froman. The Obama administration stands ready to ratify the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, but following this month's elections, congressional leaders appear unwilling to take up the multi-lateral trade deal. In this week's interview Ambassador Froman responds to critics of the plan who see trade agreements as a scapegoat for job losses instead of a stimulus for economic growth and job creation. Froman discusses the Chinese led Regional C...
Nov 20, 2016
