Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

This week’s Open Mic guest is Barron Segar, president and CEO of the World Food Program USA. In a week where the nation celebrates the productivity of the nation’s farms and ranches, the focus of this interview is the daunting challenge of the millions of men, women and children that are malnourished and regions where famine is a looming threat. The United Nations World Food Programme was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to feed the hungry. While donations, government support and corporate partnerships have grown- human conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change continue to challenge millions each day.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers. Few industries have been challenged more than produce growers and shippers during the COVID pandemic. In addition to “senseless regulation,”  challenges from reduced water supplies and a lack of adequate labor, Puglia says some growers are looking outside the U.S. for opportunities to raise crops. Puglia says he’s optimistic the Biden administration and the 117^th Congress will finally address a shortage of available workers and hopes federal and state officials can come to terms with water regulations that balance the needs of agriculture, the environment and metropolitan areas.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork Board. Last year proved challenging for the nation’s swine producers and the pork industry despite a record-setting pace for global pork sales. While the new year offers challenges from higher feed costs, Even suggests the packing industry is processing animals at near capacity and demand for pork remains robust from both domestic and global markets. A continuing shift of consumers purchasing food online has brought new avenues in product promotion and associations in the food industry to reach consumers. Even says net-zero emissions for producing swine is attainable building on a well-documented path of sustainable production practices.