Agri-Pulse Open Mic Podcast

This week’s Open Mic guest is Michael AuBuchon, Managing Director of Fuel Strategies and Management for Southwest Airlines Company. Farmers and the renewable fuel industry are eagerly anticipating the exponential growth potential of satisfying demand from the airline industry for sustainable aviation fuel. AuBuchon reports a significant investment from Southwest Airlines Company for the development and production of SAF from renewable ethanol. Southwest has targeted goals toward ramping up production of cleaner burning fuel to help meet their climate goals by 2030 and beyond. AuBuchon says decisions over the amended GREET model and pending tax advantages from the Inflation Reduction Act as well as other state government incentives will play a vital role in meeting their demand for millions of gallons of cleaner burning fuel for their planes.

This week's Open Mic guest is Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Demand for electricity is growing across the nation because of data centers and other demands at the same time that coal fired power plants are being taken off-line. Matheson says the base load of electricity is running close to capacity in many areas of the country and vulnerable to failure in summer and winter weather extremes. He discusses why cooperatives need finances to restore electric generation and transmission following growing weather extremes in the nation. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Oregon's 2^nd District Congressman Cliff Bentz, who says a dry spring has impacted the diverse list of crops grown in his state as well as challenged ranchers with forage supplies. He supports the USMCA trade accord and hopes the review of the North American trade agreement will keep borders open and provide opportunities for fair trade. Bentz supports additional financial assistance for farmers and makes the case for ending endangered species protection for wolves.

This week's Open Mic guest is Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited. Count members and leaders of Ducks Unlimited among those lobbying Congress to approve new farm programs. Putnam, the former Florida legislator, says the farm bill is the single largest conservation program in the nation. He describes how DU members actively work with farmers and ranchers improving wildlife habitat by conserving water and improving tillage and grazing

This week's Open Mic guest is U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. The Mississippi Republican was pleased to see a new farm bill proposal approved by the House and is eager to discuss policy options with other ag leaders on the Senate Ag Committee. Hyde-Smith says farmers in the Delta states have seen their own set of challenges this year and makes the case for additional financial assistance. She discusses her bill, the Buying American Cotton Act and how it can revitalize the cotton industry in the South.

This week's Open Mic guest is Sam Kieffer, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers. Wheat growers are pleased to see the House version of the Farm Bill approved, including several provisions important to their industry. Kieffer says high input costs and uncertain markets are pressuring growers and without additional financial assistance from Congress, more producers will be forced out of business. He also describes several promising new opportunities for wheat and calls on Congress to approve more research dollars.