A new Congress means fresh faces, but newcomers might not be as well-versed in agriculture as others. One horticulture group says it is a good opportunity to advocate for agriculture.
“That’s always a challenge, both with what we call ‘freshmen,’ or the new members within Congress, as well as, frankly, a lot of the veterans [legislators],” said Kate Tynan, Senior Vice President at the Northwest Horticultural Council. “And you have new staff who are coming in, and that can be an opportunity, as much as it is a challenge, to make sure folks are up to speed.”
Tynan says the biggest issue they are trying to drive home is the growing ag trade deficit, which is set to hit more than $45 billion this year.
Related Stories
The government reopens after 43 days. USDA resumes key reports, weighs farm aid, and watches China’s next move on U.S. soybean purchases.
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom shares how recent trade talks are influencing U.S. red meat global sales and the importance of key trade agreements like the USMCA.
Iowa Ag Secretary Naig recaps discussions surrounding a potential federal aid package for farmers and shares insights on producer sentiment in the Heartland.
Enforceable origin labels could create clearer premiums for U.S. cattle and address concerns some producers have had with competition from foreign imported beef.
A court decision that overturns Enlist labels would remove two major herbicides from use and reshape EPA’s future mitigation policies for other pesticides.
A Reuters report shows China has a soybean “glut,” finding stockpiles at Chinese ports are at record levels, with crushers there holding the most supplies since 2017.
