Claim OwnershipAgri-Pulse Open Mic Interview
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In-depth interviews with ag policy leaders. New episode every Sunday!
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This week's Open Mic guest is Tom Zacharias, President of National Crop Insurance Services. As risk factors for crop and livestock farmers have grown over the years, crop insurance has become a critical tool to manage risk not only from catastrophic events but from intense economic pressure on the nation's producers. Zacharias says Congress provided much needed improvements in not only farm programs but crop insurance in HR-1 legislation earlier this year. He explains how this unique public-private partnership has evolved and key economic factors impacting insurance providers as well as farmers.
This week's Open Mic guest is Melissa Ackerman, CEO and Co-Founder of Planet Harvest. During the Covid pandemic, Ackerman worked with the Produce Alliance to provide channels for unharvested produce to those in need. Her work with the Farmers to Families Food Box Program led to a relationship with Ivanka Trump and the birth of Planet Harvest with a mission of incorporating sustainably sourced produce into the supply chain. Ackerman says almost a third of produce remains unharvested each year, meaning billions of dollars of losses for farmers and billions of pounds of food that could help feed hungry people.
This week's Open Mic guest is Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. Dairy farmers are seeing better financial returns than in previous stages of a traditionally cyclical market. Doud says beef demand is providing uncharacteristically strong income support for dairy calves and cull animals, while consumer's protein demand is a boon for the industry. Milk producers are hopeful the new Dietary Guidelines report and MAHA Commission will provide an additional boost for their industry. He also discusses agricultural trade issues with Canada, Mexico and China and the need to get negotiations back on track.
This week's Open Mic guest is Tim Lust, CEO of the National Sorghum Producers. As the group prepares to celebrate their 70th anniversary, sorghum growers face daunting challenges from a loss of export markets and a future that hinges on developing domestic demand from renewable fuels and new market opportunities. He says the race for acres is an obstacle for growers as is adequate water to raise crops and maintaining profitability for growers who face rising input costs. Farm policy improvements in HR-1 were a benefit for growers, but Lust says they still need advancements in a new farm bill.
This week's Open Mic guest is Tom Michels, Director of Government Affairs for United Airlines. Global aviation fuel demand is near 100 billion gallons annually and farmers can play a crucial role in producing renewable fuels for a portion of that demand. United Airlines continues to not only consume but invest in sustainable aviation fuels. Michels says the market shows tremendous opportunity to lower the environmental footprint for the airline industry while providing sustainable solutions for airline carriers, but federal and state policies have substantial impact on the outcome.
This week's Open Mic guest is Corey Rosenbusch, President and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute. A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing last week heard testimony from industry and farmers about higher input costs and the impact on producers. Rosenbusch says the industry recognizes the challenges crop farmers are facing, but are also forced to adapt to global and geopolitical events in the market beyond their control. That's why TFI members are calling on short- and long-term policy initiatives to aid the domestic industry and provide more reliable and affordable nutrient solutions for farmers.
This week's Open Mic guest is David Newman, CEO of the National Pork Board. Pork producers are finally seeing improved returns for their animals following a long cyclical downturn in hog prices. Newman says consumer demand for protein has brought renewed interest in the nutritional value of pork cuts in the meat case. The National Pork Board's new strategic plan focuses on priorities including pork value, anticipation and adaptation to change as well as improving the lives of pigs and people. Newman says a new campaign "Taste What Pork Can Do" focuses on the priorities of the new millennial shopper.
This week's Open Mic guest is Patrick Ewan, Chairman of the Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology and General Manager, Helena Products Group. This group of industry representatives continues to work for innovative products to balance the objectives of productivity growth and crop protection for the environment and consumers. Ewan shares how industry is working with the Environmental Protection Agency on regulatory reform as well as approval for new chemistries. He laments the economic challenges producers are facing and calls on leaders in Washington to respond with favorable legislation and regulations to help weather the cyclical downturn facing many crop producers.
This week's Open Mic guest is Jonathan Spalter, President and CEO of USTelecom -The Broadband Association. Despite billions of dollars invested to close the digital divide, millions of Americans either have no service or lack a reliable connection to the internet. Spalter says the same government that supports universal connectivity maintains antiquated regulations preventing the upgrade of copper wire or installation of fiber to households in need. He also discusses permitting issues and other barriers to advancing rural connectivity.
This week's Open Mic guest is Ben Kruger, senior vice president at Roeslein Renewables. The International Maritime Organization is set to vote on policy that would embrace greater use of renewable fuel in the global shipping industry. Kruger says this move would present a tremendous opportunity for the domestic renewable fuel industry and biodiesel from soybeans and other sources. Kruger says a positive vote by the IMO and steps by Washington to pursue the opportunity could bring $5 to 10 billion dollars to the rural economy.
This week's Open Mic guest is James Glueck, Executive Director of the Plant Based Products Council. He says the same consumer who is demanding more sustainably produced food is also showing a desire to purchase more plant-based products and USDA says the ag bioeconomy added over $489 billion dollars to the nation's economy. The Ag Bioeconomy Coalition is lobbying Congress to continue funding for the USDA's BioPreferred Program in a new farm bill as well as two key pieces of legislation on Capitol Hill.
This week's Open Mic guest is Representative Tracey Mann. As the representative of the Big First District in Kansas, Mann is concerned about the farm economy and the challenges especially crop farmers are facing now. He sees the need for financial assistance for row crop farmers but also recognizes the fiscal challenges before the nation. He is hopeful to see a farm bill approved before the end of the year but says budget and and spending issues are at the top of the list of priorities facing the nation.
This week's Open Mic guest is Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association. This week nearly 300 OTA members will celebrate "Organic Week" in Washington.Dillon says consumer demand for organic products is growing at nearly twice the pace as demand for conventional food items. Consumers purchased over $70-billion dollars of organic products last year. Dillon says OTA is hopeful for legislation to prevent fraud in imported foods and an investment in infrastructure to allow the industry to expand and meet demand.
This week's Open Mic guest is Pam Marrone, Co-founder and Executive Chair of the Invasive Species Corporation. Marrone says there are over 37,000 invasive species in the world with over 3,500 that are considered harmful. Combined, these species have cost the global economy over $1 trillion dollars. As the climate warms, Marrone says these species are migrating farther north, impacting an even larger area and bringing danger to plant and animal species as well as industries essential to rural communities. Marrone says prevention is key but greater investment in biologicals and ag research is needed to help limit the spread of these harmful pests.
This week's Open Mic guest is Illinois 13th District Representative Nikki Budzinski. On the sidelines of last week's Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Budzinski said she was anxious to get back to Washington to work on budget legislation and farm policy. Budzinski is aware of the looming financial challenge facing row crop farmers and anticipates large federal outlays may be necessary to prevent significant farm losses. She hopes some funding cuts to Medicade can be restored and hopes the majority side of the aisle brings a spirit of bipartisanship back to the ag committee.
This week's Open Mic guest is Jill Bramble, President and CEO of the National 4-H Council. Over 100 years ago the Cooperative Extension Service learned the younger generation was more eager to accept new science and technology. The growth was positive for farms and communities. Today over 6 million young adults ages 8 to 19 are still embracing new technology to set career goals and improve the world around them. Jill Bramble, President and CEO of the 4-H Council says a new farm bill is important to the continued success of growing the future of America through extension learning.
This week's Open Mic guest is Duane Simpson, President and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. Simpson brings a wealth of experience from the private sector as well as farmer and retail associations. Despite a bolstering of Title 1 policy in the Budget Reconciliation Act, Simpson sees headwinds in Washington from completing the farm bill, labor reform and a resolution to many regulations facing farmers and the ag industry. Simpson sees a need for verifiable standards for words like sustainability and phrases like "regenerative agriculture practices".
This week's Open Mic guest is Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council. The group recently celebrated its 65th anniversary and delegates voted to align their name with the practice of not only selling grains but also fuels and other bioproducts. LeGrand discusses some new export records, future market opportunities and the ongoing threats of global competition from countries like Brazil. He is looking forward to new trade deals and additional global market promotion dollars allotted in the recent budget reconciliation legislation.
This week's Open Mic guest is Laurie Wayburn, President and Co-founder of Pacific Forest Trust. Over 30 years ago PFT was created to find new economic incentives to reward private forest owners for conserving their lands and practice sustainable forestry. She discusses the important role forests play in protecting water sources, pollinators and wildlife habitat. Wayburn is concerned about staff reductions in the Forest Service and talks about pending legislation to protect more forests. The organization has conserved more than 270,000 acres and holds easements on more than 100,000 acres.
This week's Open Mic guest is Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association. The Budget Reconciliation Legislation approved by Congress included significant cuts to Medicaid. Morgan says rural healthcare facilities are already financially strapped and bear the brunt of providing health care to a disproportionate share of the populous that depends on government assistance for their needs. Morgan is hopeful legislators will find additional funds to assist rural communities who may lose hospitals, healthcare clinics and long-term care facilities unless those funds are restored.
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