Agri-Pulse Newsmakers Podcast

It's been a big year for farm policy. President Donald Trump was inaugurated in January and quickly followed through on many of his campaign promises: an aggressive trade agenda, renewed focus on food inflation, and the use of a Republican-controlled House and Senate to enact a sweeping budget reconciliation bill that included major agriculture spending. At the same time, USDA announced a broad reorganization plan, and $42 billion in farm aid was unveiled to support the struggling farm economy and ongoing lack of export markets.

On this special year-in-review episode, we revisit the most influential interviews from Agri-Pulse Newsmakers in 2025 that brought you to the heart of ag policy each week.

Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is nearing the end of her first year leading USDA. We sat down with two former agriculture secretaries, Dan Glickman of the Clinton administration and Mike Johanns of the George W. Bush administration, to reflect on the top issues of 2025.

Tune in for a conversation on the farm economy, beef prices, and possible farm policy reforms. We also asked the leaders what advice they would offer Rollins as she looks ahead to 2026.

Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The Trump administration unveiled a $12 billion farm aid package last week, but some lawmakers are already saying more aid is needed. Before Congress left Washington for the year, we spoke with Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman about the future of the farm bill, the potential need for more farm aid in early 2026, and if there will be a time when farmers don't need to rely on government payments.

Plus, Peter Bachmann with the USA Rice Federation and Dennis Nuxoll with Western Growers join the show to discuss the market and commodity market losses rice and specialty crop growers are grappling with, and the need for an additional farm aid package in early 2026.

Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

The Trump administration unveiled a $12 billion Farm Bridge Assistance aid package to compensate farmers impacted by market and commodity market losses. House Ag Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig, D-Minn., said farmers are in need of economic support, but added "the administration has called this a bridge. Where's the bridge? This is more like a circle."

Plus, Jonathan Coppess with the University of Illinois Gardner Agriculture Policy Program and Eric Gibson with Rabobank outline when farmers should receive payments and if a second farm aid package should be moved by Congress in 2026. The pair also discuss concerns about the effect repeated farm aid payments will have on the next generation of farmers.

Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD