This week’s Open Mic guest is Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers. Consumers are showing an increased demand for fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets, but U.S. growers of these crops are facing increased headwinds from a reduced water supply, increased input costs, a shortage of farm workers and increasing state and federal regulations.  Puglia says their members are looking for biological solutions to replace traditional synthetic crop protection products and robotics to offset an aging and reduced workforce. He also discusses the consequences of organic production mandates, a forced transition to electric trucks and forklifts and a potential extension of the 2018 farm bill.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Mark Eisele, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. The Wyoming rancher says even though profits are now better for cattlemen than row crop producers, they still need a new farm bill to ensure herd safety and provide opportunities to maintain and grow global markets. Sustainability is important and Eisele discusses how cattlemen are working to produce safe, high quality protein with an even smaller environmental footprint. He also discusses the legal challenges one South Dakota rancher is facing with USDA's Forest Service.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. The renewable fuels industry has clawed its way into a significant portion of the liquid fuels industry. Potential growth for both refiners and farmers hinges on regulatory decisions by government agencies and litigation in the court system. Skor says the Treasury Department’s decision on what sustainable agriculture practices will be required for the pending 45Z rule is critical for the industry’s future and if the Biden administration’s climate goals will ultimately be met.  

This week’s Open Mic guest is Brent Boydson, Immediate Past Chairman of the U.S. Grains Council. While there are immense headwinds to maintaining and growing markets for U.S.corn, sorghum and barley, Boydson believes emerging markets in Africa and India will provide tremendous growth opportunities for US farmers. He says U.S. efforts to verify sustainable ag practices, as well as the continued reliability and quality of products and increasing demand for more meat and protein, will open new markets. 

This week’s Open Mic guest is Cathy Burns, President and CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association. From a statistical perspective, the produce industry has tremendous potential for growth with only a small fraction of Americans consuming the daily recommended allowance of fruits and vegetables. Burns says domestically, the produce industry faces tremendous challenges from high input costs, a lack of an adequate labor force and uncertainty over a new farm bill from Washington. She says the obstacles are limiting opportunities for growth and IFPA needs Congressional leaders to help.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council. The profit pendulum has swung deeply into the red for U.S. cotton farmers. Adams says many producers faced challenges finding operating loans this year and may be left wanting without a new farm bill that reflects the current economic climate. He also discusses the impact of the Supreme Court's Chevron decision and potential concerns about international trade.