Agri-Pulse Open Mic Podcast

This week's Open Mic guest is Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council. The group recently celebrated its 65^th anniversary and delegates voted to align their name with the practice of not only selling grains but also fuels and other bioproducts. LeGrand discusses some new export records, future market opportunities and the ongoing threats of global competition from countries like Brazil. He is looking forward to new trade deals and additional global market promotion dollars allotted in the recent budget reconciliation legislation.

This week's Open Mic guest is Duane Simpson, President and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. The group held their annual fly-in last week and lobbied congressional leaders to complete a new farm bill and pass ag labor reform legislation,  among other issues. Simpson says farmers are stressed with high input costs and low commodity prices threatening the survival of many operations nationwide. 

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.