Agri-Pulse Newsmakers Podcast

China has not made any U.S. soybean purchases from this fall's crop, which has growers concerned about the relationship with the largest U.S. soybean purchaser ahead of harvest. We asked Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, about the trade landscape and what he's watching for in USDA’s quarterly ag trade outlook due out next week. Plus, we discuss how NASDA members are partners in New World screwworm eradication efforts.

Then, Texas State Veterinarian Dr. Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges and Boehringer Ingelheim's Steve Boren discuss Ag Sec. Brooke Rollins' recent New World screwworm investment in Texas and the private sector's role supporting eradication and treatment efforts.

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The public is anxiously awaiting the release of the second Make America Healthy Again Commission report. Cathy Burns, president and CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association, discusses the opportunities her group sees in the upcoming guidance, the need for ag labor reform and when consumers may begin to see higher produce prices caused by tariffs.

Plus, Dan Basse from AgResource Company discusses USDA's bin-busting corn crop projections and China's lack of soybean purchasing this year. Becky Rasdall Vargas from the International Dairy Foods Association joins the conversation to discuss the current trade landscape and the foreign shipbuilding port fees that will go into effect this fall.

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House Ag Committee Chair "GT" Thompson wants to take action on a skinny farm bill this fall. We spoke with ranking members of both the House and Senate Ag Committees, Rep. Angie Craig and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, at the Minnesota FarmFest about their priorities within a skinny farm bill and their willingness to negotiate after nutrition program cuts in reconciliation.

Plus, AFBF President Zippy Duvall discusses his group's priorities for the second Make America Healthy Again Commission Report due to be released next week, Rep. Brad Finstad defends the need to include a Prop 12 legislative fix in a skinny farm bill, and Rep. Michelle Fischbach reviews President Trump's trade negotiations so far.

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A longtime crop insurance agent and member of both the Iowa and American Soybean Association board of directors, Pat Swanson may be new to USDA but not to the many crop insurance programs farmers depend on. On Newsmakers this week, we speak with Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson about her plans to lead the agency and how her background serving on the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation has prepared her for the role.

Plus, hear from two former USDA undersecretaries, Robert Bonnie and Bruce Knight, for perspective on USDA's reorganization plan, which will move more than half of the 4,600 current Washington-based staff to five regional hubs across the U.S.

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Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins released the long-awaited USDA reorganization plan this week including closure of some facilities and relocation of many staff to regional hubs across the country. We spoke with Maryland Rep. April McClain Delaney about the plan, including the closure of the Beltsville Ag Research Center in her state, as well as rural broadband deployment.

Plus, Eric Steiner with OFW Law discusses what to expect in the skinny farm bill House Ag Chairman "GT" Thompson wants to move this fall, and Shirley Bloomfield from NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association explains what's needed to continue expanding broadband connectivity.

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The Trump administration said ag would be exempt from immigration raids, then said that "no amnesty" will be shown for those employed in agriculture. We speak with Rep. Andrea Salinas, a Democratic Congresswoman representing Oregon's Willamette Valley, about the strain this uncertainty is putting on her district's producers as well as how staff reductions at the Forest Service could impact wildfire fighting abilities.

Then, Rebeckah Adcock with the International Fresh Produce Association discusses her industry's trade concerns as President Trump's reciprocal tariff rate increase looms on August 1 and Michael Marsh with the National Council of Agricultural Employers discusses what he's hearing about ICE raids of agricultural businesses across the U.S.

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