Agri-Pulse Open Mic Podcast

This week’s Open Mic guest is Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork Board. The nation’s swine producers are cautiously optimistic given consistent domestic demand for pork and increases in volume and value of U.S. pork export sales. On the home front, Even suggests the industry is focused on protecting the herd from African swine fever and is working at every level along with USDA and other government agencies to safeguard animals and the supply chain. Even says the pork checkoff continues to share the sustainability story of the nation’s hog farmers and is working to identify avenues to see pork production is carbon neutral in the very near future. In the meat case, Even says there’s tremendous consumer acceptance for ground pork and the industry is ramping up to satisfy the consumer appetite for the versatile protein source.

This week's Open Mic guest is Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. Leaders of the group recently spent a week in Washington lobbying for Senate approval of voluntary E15 legislation. Cooper cites recent studies suggesting strong support for sales of higher ethanol blends among voters from both political parties. He also discusses opportunity for industry growth in the maritime, airline and related liquid transportation fuels arena. Cooper says RFA supports efforts by the Trump administration to balance trade with Brazil.

This week's Open Mic guest is Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council. Like other row crop producers, cotton farmers are facing higher input costs and increased global competition. Adams says Brazilian farmers have ramped up production and taken a greater share of the Chinese market. He shares why cotton farmers are hopeful for a new farm bill this year, as well as the Buy American Cotton Act, which would encourage domestic mills to utilize American-grown cotton. Adams also discusses the industry's "Plant not Plastic" campaign which is aimed at helping consumers understand the link between synthetic clothing and the microplastics you inhale.

This week's Open Mic guest is Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. At a time when more Americans are turning more health conscious by adding fruits and vegetables to their diets, many of the nation's specialty crop growers are struggling to survive. Joyner says the volume of imports from Mexico and other countries continues to grow, depressing opportunities for domestic growers. Specialty crop growers face ongoing challenges in finding an adequate workforce and support legislative efforts to revise the nation's H-2A regulations. Joyner says specialty crop growers need better crop insurance coverage options and hope future assistance programs are more equitable for fruit and vegetable farmers. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Donnell Rehagen, CEO of Clean Fuels Alliance America. Members of the groups spent last week in Washington reporting the positive impact the EPA's higher RVO numbers are already having in their industry. Later in the week, USDA finalized the Regenerative Feedstocks rule and provided an updated version of the USDA Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator. Rehagen says the industry is poised for growth and hopes future RVO guidance can provide room for continued expansion of the renewable fuels sector. 

This week's Open Mic guest is Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Sales of dairy products in North America and around the globe have seen exponential increases over the past few decades. Harden discusses renewal of the USMCA trade agreement, proposed language in a new farm bill that would improve the outlook for dairy farmers and the International Year of the Women Farmer.