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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Tracy Brunner, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
As the group prepares for its 120th convention next month, Brunner reflects on the obstacles the industry has overcome and shares high hopes for the Trump administration and the 115th Congress. In this interview the 4th generation Kansas cattleman calls for regulatory reform, an end to the death tax, and a fair fight for trade agreements including the Trans-Pacific Partnership and with T-TIP negotiations with the European Union. Like other commodity groups, Brunner says NCBA hopes for immigration reform and a revamp of the Endangered Species Act. Brunner supports key provisions in debate for a new farm bill and says food labeling should remain voluntary and respect their high standards for animal husbandry.
This week's guest on Open Mic is Mike Brown, president of the National Chicken Council. With much of U.S. agriculture struggling with low commodity prices, Brown says the poultry industry is beginning an upswing with good domestic and global consumer demand. Brown is outspoken in opposition to the USDA's new GIPSA rules and expects litigation or legislation to thwart executive branch attempts to levy greater restrictions on the meat and livestock industry. Global markets represent over a fifth of domestic poultry production. Brown says the broiler industry supports Donald Trump's call for fair trade and is ready to work with the new administration to grow markets for U.S. poultry. Brown comments on the poultry industry's stake in the nation's immigration laws and looks for a resolution with the new congress and administration.
This week's guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senator John Boozman. As a member of senate committees on Appropriations, Agriculture, Budget as well as Environment and Public Works, the Arkansas Republican will be in the thick of major issues for agriculture and rural America. In this interview, Boozman discusses scaling back the Obama administration's regulatory agenda, budget reconciliation, a Trump appointment for the Supreme Court, comprehensive tax reform, the challenge of balancing the agriculture and manufacturing agendas in U.S. trade policy as well as the process of writing comprehensive food and agriculture policy.
This week's guest on Open Mic is Georgia farmer Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. In this interview Duvall previews highlights of the group's 98thConvention coming January 6-11thin Phoenix, Arizona. Aside from contests, awards and keynote speakers, the AFBF's delegate session promises a thorough preview of potential policy proposals for a new farm bill. Duvall details last year's victories including biotech disclosure legislation and outlines where the fight against Obama WOTUS rules will continue this year. AFBF supports aggressive trade policy and is anxious to work with the Trump administration to maintain and grow access to global markets. Duvall also shares his thoughts on new GIPSA rules proposals from the USDA.
This week's guest on Open Mic is Bill Even, who was selected as CEO of the National Pork Board in June. The former South Dakota Director of Agriculture discusses both growth and growing pains in the pork industry. With a fourth of U.S. production destine for export customers, Even shares hopes for global growth in the year ahead. Animal health is a priority for the pork industry and Even shares the National Pork Board's continuing efforts for disease preparedness and industry efforts to meet consumer demands for product quality and product labels.
This week's guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts. In this year-end interview the Kansas Republican discusses the USDA's recently announced GIPSA rules and the challenges he sees the language presents for packers and livestock producers. Looking at Trump's trade agenda, he's concerned about what's ahead for farm exports and renewable fuels. Roberts also shares thoughts on a new farm bill, including suggestions for those who want to separate nutrition and farm programs
