Agri-Pulse Open Mic Podcast

This week’s Open Mic guest is Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill. As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture and chairwoman of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee, Bustos is encouraged by President Joe Biden’s commitment to agriculture, renewable fuels, climate and rural issues. The Illinois Democrat says the 117^th Congress has work to do to win the support of rural voters but believes members of the Biden cabinet, including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, can help to generate momentum. Bustos is hopeful diplomacy can yield better trade relations with China, Europe and Cuba and is hopeful for new opportunities with the U.K. and other developing nations of the world. Bustos says climate will be an underlying theme in nearly all policies approved in Washington this year.   

This week's Open Mic guest is Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Demand for electricity is growing across the nation because of data centers and other demands at the same time that coal fired power plants are being taken off-line. Matheson says the base load of electricity is running close to capacity in many areas of the country and vulnerable to failure in summer and winter weather extremes. He discusses why cooperatives need finances to restore electric generation and transmission following growing weather extremes in the nation. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Oregon's 2^nd District Congressman Cliff Bentz, who says a dry spring has impacted the diverse list of crops grown in his state as well as challenged ranchers with forage supplies. He supports the USMCA trade accord and hopes the review of the North American trade agreement will keep borders open and provide opportunities for fair trade. Bentz supports additional financial assistance for farmers and makes the case for ending endangered species protection for wolves.

This week's Open Mic guest is Adam Putnam, CEO of Ducks Unlimited. Count members and leaders of Ducks Unlimited among those lobbying Congress to approve new farm programs. Putnam, the former Florida legislator, says the farm bill is the single largest conservation program in the nation. He describes how DU members actively work with farmers and ranchers improving wildlife habitat by conserving water and improving tillage and grazing

This week's Open Mic guest is U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. The Mississippi Republican was pleased to see a new farm bill proposal approved by the House and is eager to discuss policy options with other ag leaders on the Senate Ag Committee. Hyde-Smith says farmers in the Delta states have seen their own set of challenges this year and makes the case for additional financial assistance. She discusses her bill, the Buying American Cotton Act and how it can revitalize the cotton industry in the South.

This week's Open Mic guest is Sam Kieffer, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers. Wheat growers are pleased to see the House version of the Farm Bill approved, including several provisions important to their industry. Kieffer says high input costs and uncertain markets are pressuring growers and without additional financial assistance from Congress, more producers will be forced out of business. He also describes several promising new opportunities for wheat and calls on Congress to approve more research dollars.