President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the EPA is in the hot seat this week. Lee Zeldin has been taking hard questions from Senators, including those about ethanol.
“I think that he was very forthright in saying when he voted against ethanol that he was a freshman Congressman and didn’t understand the issue. I think he’s had enough contact with Trump to know that Trump is pro-ethanol.”
Tariffs are also at the top of Grassley’s mind. He says he has urged the incoming Administration to rethink its strategy, but he admits he has had little success.
“I don’t think that the countervailing arguments that I’m making are going to be satisfactory to the Trump Administration, particularly if they’re going to have some sort of global tariff on 190 different countries that we could be dealing with.”
The expiring tax cuts are another area of concern this year but lawmakers say they are on it. Just this week, the House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing to discuss them. A report by the National Association of Manufacturers shows the ag industry could lose 50,000 jobs if the 2017 tax cuts are not extended.
The farm bill is still moving, but the toughest amendment fights were pushed into today’s session. ASA President Scott Metzger joins us to discuss the risks of tariff actions on soybean exports, concerns over trade policy and production costs, and the importance of Farm Bill updates.
April 30, 2026 10:22 AM
·
Higher biofuel mandates boost long-term crop demand, but a tighter D4 market may pressure biofuel feedstocks and pose new soybean oil demand risks.
April 30, 2026 07:00 AM
·
According to a tweet from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, the full House vote on the Farm Bill will be held until lawmakers return from recess.
April 29, 2026 02:50 PM
·
Roger McEowen joins us to explain the USDA appeals process and how farmers should navigate adverse decisions and crop insurance disputes.
April 29, 2026 02:20 PM
·
EPA’s approval gives citrus growers a new disease-fighting tool against greening at a time when production losses remain severe.
April 29, 2026 01:55 PM
·
The House is moving forward with debate on the Farm Bill after a lengthy session in the House Rules Committee cleared the legislation for floor consideration.
April 29, 2026 11:28 AM
·
