Balanced Reporting. Trusted Insights. Friday, June 12, 2026

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers Podcast

Audio from our weekly Newsmakers show. New episode every Friday!

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Karen Ross on California agriculture, water, MAHA, Prop 12

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Duration: 26:00
06-05-2026

California agriculture operates at a scale and under conditions unlike anywhere else in the country, yet the policy decisions extend far beyond state lines. We spent the week in Sacramento for the annual Agri-Pulse Food and Ag Issues Summit West and caught up with California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross to discuss the challenges, opportunities and innovations shaping California agriculture, and why the rest of the country should be paying attention to the Golden State.

Plus, Ag Council of California President Emily Rooney outlines concerning plastic and packaging regulations and Chris Zanobini, president and CEO of Ag Association Management Services Inc., describes the "regulatory jenga" plaguing California agriculture.

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Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin on product approvals, MAHA, year-round E15, RVOs

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Duration: 26:00
05-29-2026
Many row crop farmers are concerned about having access to an array of crop protection tools. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin explains the shrinking backlog of approvals, how the agency will continue to engage with the Make America Healthy Again movement, and year-round E15. Plus, Mitchell Hora with Continuum Ag outlines the testimony he gave on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit and Megan Boutwell with Stillwater Associates discusses how state low carbon fuel standards are shifting demand for ag products.


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Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Year-round E15, farm bill, Nebraska wildfire recovery with Sen. Deb Fischer

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Duration: 26:00
05-22-2026
A bill to allow year-round sales of E15 passed the full House and now awaits a vote in the Senate. Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer details the push for E15, as well as her farm bill priorities ahead of text being released in June. Plus, former Chief Ag Negotiator and current president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation Gregg Doud discusses his key takeaways from the bilateral meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Tammi Arender provides an update from the field on Reservoir Farms, a new ag tech innovation hub in California.


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Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Farm aid, USMCA review, EU deforestation regs with Rep. Austin Scott

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Duration: 26:00
05-15-2026
The need for farm aid is clear, but a vehicle to move the funding remains uncertain. Georgia Republican Rep. Austin Scott explains the "differing opinions" on how the payments should go out. Scott also discusses the USMCA review, EU deforestation regulations, and his vision for leading the House Ag Committee if selected as the panel's top Republican next Congress. Plus, Callie Eideberg with the Vogel Group outlines what to watch as the Senate farm bill is developed and Robbie Minnich with the National Cotton Council discusses the benefits of the Buy American Cotton Act.
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Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: USDA reorganization & brain drain, farm bill recap with Rep. McClain Delaney

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Duration: 26:00
05-08-2026
The century-old Beltsville Ag Research Center in Maryland is relocating more than 1,000 jobs and dozens of research projects as part of the USDA’s reorganization. House Ag Committee member Rep. April McClain Delaney, D-Md., joined the show to argue why the facility should remain open & why she voted "no" on the farm bill in the House last week. Plus, Anthony Reed with FGS Global explains why he sees the tentative May 13 House vote on year-round E15 as "the gas price vote of 2026," and Mike Stranz with the National Farmers Union discusses what farm bill fights will arise in the Senate.


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Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Farm bill passes in the House & heads to Senate; Year-round E15 punted again

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Duration: 26:00
05-01-2026
After overnight debate, the farm bill passed the full House on Thursday. We spoke with House Ag Committee Chair Glenn "GT" Thompson right after the vote. Plus, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney discusses the importance of the legislative progress on the farm bill. On the panel, Anne Steckel with Ardent Strategies explains the fallout of the year-round E15 provision in farm bill negotiations and Ken Barbic with Invariant discusses proposed USDA budget cuts that passed through the House appropriations committee.


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