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.
USDA raised exports by $2.5 billion from February, while imports are forecast at $205.5 billion. The resulting $29 billion agricultural trade deficit remains a reminder that higher shipments alone do not resolve trade pressure.
Corn is the clear export leader heading into summer.
The U.S. Meat Export Federation says the agreement could be used to improve market access for American beef and pork producers in Africa.
Industry leaders highlighted trade concerns, export opportunities and the importance of maintaining momentum behind the agreement.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss Canada’s livestock import restrictions, producer reaction to the New World screwworm detection in Texas, and the potential implications for cross-border livestock trade.
HTS Commodities’ Lewis Williamson joins us to recap USDA’s latest Crop Progress Report, troubling winter wheat conditions, and key market factors shaping the markets as the growing season progresses.
