Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins faced tough questions this week from a Senate Subcommittee.
She is standing by President Trump’s plans for trade and says that while things may get rocky, she plans to keep the conversations going.
“It’s never easy to change the status quo. The easiest thing for us to do is just say, ‘Oh, it’s great, and we don’t want to make anyone mad, and let’s just keep moving forward and keep adding money to the programs.’ This is what I believe voters asked for, and we’ll continue to have these discussions.”
Rollins emphasized USDA’s commitment to taxpayers, saying several programs, like the McGovern-Dole program, must return to their original intent. She also said she will lay out her plan next week to re-organize USDA, which will include bringing back some Farm Service Agency and APHIS staff.
Dr. Faith Parum discusses fertilizer market conditions, Farm Bureau’s new strategic fertilizer report, and policy options to strengthen the U.S. fertilizer supply chain.
USDA Under Secretary for Trade Luke Lindberg discusses the Port of Seattle’s role in ag exports, meetings with Washington producers, and the administration’s priorities for trade and expanding export opportunities.
The delegation toured farms, fields and grain facilities to learn more about U.S. wheat and export opportunities.
A Senate proposal would require congressional approval for some tariffs as lawmakers also push to advance the next farm bill before the August recess.
Renewable Fuels Association data show ethanol output climbed as exports nearly doubled.
Fund selling, weaker demand and upcoming USDA reports are adding uncertainty to the cattle market.
