Articles by Lydia Johnson

Congressional leaders were nailing down the final details of a stopgap spending bill Monday night that was expected to include $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers, as well as a one-year farm bill extension, sources tell Agri-Pulse.

The chairman of the House Ways and Means subcommittee that handles trade policy says he’s concerned about the U.S. becoming embroiled in tit-for-tat tariff escalations that could lead to ag producers facing new duties. 

Lawmakers continue what’s described as “intense negotiations” over what’s going to be included with a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill. It’s not clear yet that GOP leaders will agree to add a package of market relief for farmers.

The industry-funded promotion, research and information program will be open to a vote and if approved, overseen by an 11-member board. 

Senate Ag Committee ranking member John Boozman added Brad Weddelman to staff as chief economist. The National Grain and Feed Association hired Berit Linnehan Foss as vice president of feed and sustainability effective Dec. 18.

FTI Consulting hired Polly Ruhland to expand the firm’s food, agriculture and beverage practice. USDA announced appointments to the Cotton Board, Popcorn Board, American Lamb Board, Grain Inspection Advisory Committee and American Egg Board, among others. 

There’s been a lot of speculation about the kind of leader Brooke Rollins would be as ag secretary, so we talked with a couple of men who know her well. One is Drew DeBerry, a government affairs consultant at Axis Strategies, who first met Rollins when she worked for then-Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Democrats on the House Ag Committee are starting to line up behind the candidates seeking to be the panel’s ranking member. Reps. Angie Craig, D-Minn., and Jim Costa, D-Calif., are challenging Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., for the minority’s top spot.

The Westlands Water District board certified the election for five members to its board of directors. Ryan Ferguson, a farmer for 20 years and the 2021-2022 board president, rejoined the board as a newly elected member. Four other individuals were reelected including: William Bourdeau, founder and CEO of Bourdeau Farms based in Coalinga; Jeff Fortune, a second generation Westlands farmer; Frank Coelho, a board member since 1991 and third generation Five Points region farmer; and Jim Anderson, a fifth-generation Westlands Water District farmer. 

The world’s largest commodity trader plans to slash about 8,000 of its global 164,000-person workforce as part of a sweeping effort to cut costs and restructure. 

Colorado farmer-owned cooperative ProEgg tapped Greg Bilobran as CEO. The U.S. Grains Council hired Alicia Koch as director of global ethanol export development. Jennifer Warren departed from the National Sorghum Producers.

Faith Mabry, communications director for Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., left her  position. National Oilseed Processors Association executive vice president of government affairs David Hovermale will retire at the end of the year.