USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden filled in for his boss at the 2025 Farm Progress Show Tuesday, chatting on the mainstage with Mike Pearson of This Week in AgriBusiness and answering question from farm reporters on site.
The first topic addressed was New World Screwworm in light of the latest headlines about human case in Maryland. “So the good news is, that case, which is a solitary human case, was because a citizen of this country traveled to Central America, was exposed to it there and brought it back, and it has no implications for agriculture,” said Vaden. “It’s bad for that particular human, although it’s easily treatable with modern medicine. But what we are worried about is ensuring that the fly does not enter into our cattle supply.” To that end, Vaden says USDA has shut the border to cattle from Mexico and is working with Mexican officials on a sterile fly program to keep the pests from entering the U.S.
Vaden also expressed the administration’s strong support for domestic biofuels. “I think it’s fair to say that the second Trump administration has been the most pro biofuels administration that we’ve had,” said Vaden. “We at USDA are very supportive of the Environmental Protection Agency and the proposed renewable volume obligations. We think those numbers are wonderful and are where they need to be and meet the current ability of America to produce biofuels.
On the trade front, Vaden talked about the Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s trading practices and increasing export market opportunities for corn and soybeans.
On stage and answering media questions, Vaden also discussed USDA team and nominees, agency reorganization, modernization of funds distribution to farmers, regional USDA hubs, farm bill future, commodity prices, short term relief, meetings at FPS, markets for ethanol, and staffing questions. Listen to both below:
USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden mainstage (27:18)