New on Agri-Pulse this week: Roger Johnson is president of the National Farmers Union. and a past Commissioner of Agriculture in North Dakota. NFU, as an organization, has shown an affinity toward small farmers and democratic party views, however In this year’s farm and immigration debates, they are in step with a broad coalition of farm and labor organizations who …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Shirley Bloomfield
New on Agri-Pulse this week: Shirley Bloomfield, the CEO of the NTCA – Rural Broadband Association says rural customers want the same speed, clarity and quality of service as other Americans, but her members face several challenges delivering 21st Century technology, in part because wireless still needs a wired network. Her association is working with farm groups and others on …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Dr. Robert Fraley
New on Agri-Pulse this week: Dr. Robert Fraley was just named a winner of the 2013 World Food Prize for his role in revolutionary biotechnology discoveries. His career has several parallels with Dr. Norman Borlaug and his passion is as intense. Fraley talks about the use of plant biotechnology to feed a growing population, addressing global hunger and the challenges …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Congressman Rick Nolan
New on Agri-Pulse this week: Congressman Rick Nolan is a democrat from Minnesota’s 8th district. His primary industries are agriculture, forestry and mining. He holds the congressional record for the longest lapse between terms as he served in Congress (1975-1981), then left to go into business where he managed an international trade association and was owner and president of a …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Dr. Steve Meyer
New on Agri-Pulse this week: Dr. Steve Meyer is president of Paragon Economics. He consults with the National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council. As an economist, he examines the Smithfield Foods sale to a Chinese company and speculates on whether it will be given regulatory approval. He looks at the impact of such a move on grain …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Frank Lucas
New on Agri-Pulse this week: Frank Lucas (R-OK) Chairs the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee and succeeded in getting a diverse farm bill through his committee in 2012 and 2013 with over a 3/4 majority. However, the toughest battle lies ahead, with floor debate expected in mid-June. Lucas talks about the major challenges of a bill that has budget restraints …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Rep. Steve King
New on Agri-Pulse this week: Congressman Steve King is an outspoken conservative member of the House Agriculture Committee. He is in line to be the chairman when the next farm bill comes up in 2018. King put through an egg amendment that may keep states from imposing standards that restrict commerce with other states. He also wants to cut the …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Collin Peterson
With the Senate Agriculture Committee set to start writing a new farm bill on Tuesday and the House Agriculture Committee ready to follow a day later, Congressman Collin Peterson offers his views on how a new farm bill can hopefully get passed by both chambers this year. As the ranking Democrat, he talks about the compromises he’s worked out with …
Report Reveals Improper Payments at USDA
A guest post by Agri-Pulse Editor Sara Wyant When lawmakers talk about reducing “waste, fraud and abuse” in federal programs, they usually target the food stamp program, more recently called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In fact, Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., introduced legislation recently that he said would “restore integrity” to the SNAP program, while saving $36 billion in …
Insider Look at 2013 for Food & Agriculture
How about some Farm to Fork Politics? That’s what we got to kick off 2013 National Ag Day activities in Washington, DC. Here are the panelists for the session that was sponsored by Agri-Pulse just prior to their annual reception. Seated l-r are Dr. Keith Collins, former USDA Chief Economist, B. Hudson Riehle, Senior VP of the Research & Information …