Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

This week’s guest on Open Mic is US. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith. Speaking on the sidelines of the American Farm Bureau Convention in New Orleans earlier this month, the former state agriculture commissioner spoke in support of the new farm bill and the Trump trade initiatives. Hyde-Smith believes the pain of the current trade war will return better export opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers in seasons to come. Hyde-Smith stands behind President Trump’s efforts to secure the U.S. border with Mexico and introduced legislation last week to use a portion of Chinese tariff revenues to fund border security.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, R-Kansas. The Appropriations Committee member warned last year that approving continuing resolutions to fund the government would only make addressing the nation’s fiscal needs more difficult. In this interview, Senator Moran discusses the implications of the government shutdown, the consequences of failed trade negotiations, and the need for compromise on immigration reform and border security. In addition, he comments on the new farm bill, concerns about farmer suicides and the importance of healthy rural communities.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Massachusetts 2nd District Representative Jim McGovern. As Chair of the Rules Committee, McGovern has vowed to use legal action to prevent the Trump administration from implementing regulations to limit food aid to hungry Americans. In this interview, McGovern expands on his goal to restore integrity to the rules committee vowing not to “rig the process” by denying valid policy debate and promising a restoration of the committee process. McGovern supports the farm bill’s attention to food waste but says government can do more to help the hungry.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is American Soybean Association CEO Ryan Findlay. Soybean farmers remain caught in a global trade war between the Trump administration and China. Despite a new farm bill and Market Facilitation Payments, Findlay says soybean farmers face a challenging outlook this year as well as the threat of future lost market share to global competitors in the years ahead. In this interview, Findlay outlines the primary challenges facing the soy industry including support for biodiesel, regulatory reform and global trade.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee Congressman Collin Peterson. Representing the Minnesota’s 7th district, Peterson says reformed dairy policy is one of the most significant changes in the new language. In this interview, Peterson discusses changes in conservation programs as well as the debate over payment limits. As incoming Chairman of the House Ag Committee, Peterson says he will keep a watchful eye over USDA regulations during farm Bill implementation. In the new Congress, Peterson sees areas of common ground and hopes for a successful conclusion of key issues for agriculture and rural America.

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts. The 2018 Farm Bill was signed into law by President Trump last week in the White House. Kansas U.S. Senator Pat Roberts and leaders of the conference committee crafted a bill that received overwhelming support on both sides of the Capitol. Senator Roberts says the evolutionary bill was diversified and the best language that leaders could offer. In this interview Roberts addresses some of the key provisions of the bill and speaks to the effort of working with the USDA to implement the new legislation. Roberts is hopeful 2018 will bring legislative success to other key issues for the nation.