Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Georgia 2nd District Representative Sanford Bishop. As Agriculture, Rural Development and FDA Appropriations Subcommittee chair, Bishop is pleased with the full committee’s work on the FY20 spending bills. Bishop admits the lack of progress in the Senate could delay timely approval of funds for the coming fiscal year and says it is highly likely that legislators will need to approve additional disaster funds for regions still attempting to recover from natural disasters.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Iowa U.S. Senator Joni Ernst. She has seen firsthand the devastating impact of severe flooding in her region and shares concern with other farmers about the wet season that has forced late planting across the Midwest. In this interview, Ernst discusses the need for additional disaster assistance, reform of farm bankruptcy rules, and funding of a second round of MFP funds for farmers and ranchers. Ernst remains in close contact with President Trump on trade policy and praises the administration’s efforts to allow for year-round sales of E-15 blended gasoline.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Dr. John Newton, Chief Economist of the American Farm Bureau Federation. In this interview, Newton offers insight on how weather, trade conflicts, and surplus commodities have wreaked havoc on the nation’s farm and ranch community. Newton says farmers need details of the disaster assistance and market facilitation programs as well as amendments to bankruptcy laws. Newton outlines the challenges of an antiquated dairy program and calls for additional funds for ag research.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. Farmers and the renewable fuels industry were pleased to see the Trump administration fulfill its promise to amend regulation and allow for year-round sales of E-15 blended fuels. In this interview, Skor comments on EPA's small refinery waivers, desire for reallocation and pending legislation for Congressional oversight. Skor is anxious for a conclusion to trade conflicts and shares hope for export growth opportunities.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senator John Boozman. In this interview, the Arkansas Republican discusses the need for policy to address climate change that includes a favorable role for agriculture, the goals for infrastructure and rural development, trade and the upcoming debate on child nutrition.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin. The senior senator from Illinois returned to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee for the 116th Congress. Durbin is pleased with the bipartisan effort on the farm bill, but fears the downturn in the ag economy may be more than the legislation’s safety net can bear. Senator Durbin shares his view of small refinery waivers granted by EPA and supports the sustainable work farmers are voluntarily playing in efforts to combat climate change. Durbin shares thoughts on the long road to negotiate better trade relations with China and the need for infrastructure legislation.