Trade was a major topic at this year’s World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa, where USDA Undersecretary Greg Ibach and Gregg Doud, chief agriculture negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, were among the speakers. But other topics, including a Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank, were up for discussion.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2017 - The Senate on Thursday confirmed a second new undersecretary for the Agriculture Department, Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach, who will oversee the department’s marketing and regulatory programs.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22, 2017 - Congressional Republicans will set the stage this week to begin work on a $1.5 trillion tax-cut bill, while the Senate is poised to approve two more undersecretaries for the Agriculture Department.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2017 - The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the nominations of Bill Northey and Greg Ibach to serve as undersecretaries at USDA, but a potential legal snafu could hinder Northey’s initial work at the department.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2017 - Senate Republicans this week will seek to squeeze through a budget resolution critical to passing tax cuts, and several of President Trump’s nominees critical to agriculture also could move out of committee.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5, 2017 - Bill Northey, the Iowa agriculture secretary nominated to oversee USDA’s farm and conservation programs, promised senators he would work to protect crop insurance, improve customer service and assist farmers in addressing water quality issues.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2017 - The Senate is close to finally confirming two key nominees for the Agriculture Department this week, and lawmakers also are moving budget resolutions that will pave the way for the GOP’s No. 1 priority, cutting business and personal taxes.