President Trump’s pick for USDA Deputy Secretary is facing a full Senate vote. Stephen Vaden would fill the role formerly held by Xochitl Torres Small,
Speaking before a Senate panel, Vaden said he grew up on a family farm and acknowledged the recent tariff action, but he said there is a bigger problem brewing.
“If we’re going to be throwing punches on behalf of America’s economy, there are some punches that need to be thrown on behalf of American farmers, too. Because, while tariffs are the headline, what blocks so many American agricultural products from other countries are phony phytosanitary concerns, supposedly raising health or other welfare concerns about American products.”
Vaden argues U.S. ag exports face more hurdles than others, reminding the President’s trade team to always be on the offense and be aggressive with opening new markets. When it comes to tariffs, just yesterday, President Trump announced India would be dropping their rate to zero on several U.S. products, like steel and auto parts.
Stagger buys and diversifies fertilizer sources — watch CBAM, India’s tenders, and Brazil’s import pace to time urea, phosphate, and potash purchases.
November 07, 2025 11:16 AM
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Farm CPA Paul Neiffer shares insight into what these new accounts, established in provisions of the Big, Beautiful Bill, could mean for the farm families.
November 06, 2025 02:34 PM
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The Court may limit emergency tariff powers, complicating a key bargaining tool; ag could see shifts in input costs and export dynamics as China, Brazil, and India talks evolve.
November 06, 2025 10:04 AM
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A SCOTUS ruling on Trump’s tariffs could have long-term implications on the authority of future administrations to control U.S. trade policy, according to RFD-TV legal expert Roger McEowen.
November 05, 2025 11:08 AM
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Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl shares more about the tour to gather farmers’ insights on the economic challenges they face in the ag economy.
November 04, 2025 01:15 PM
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November 03, 2025 01:29 PM
Farm Bureau Economist Faith Parum discusses key outcomes from the U.S.-China trade agreement and the benefits of expanding trade across Southeast Asia.
October 30, 2025 03:25 PM
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Rich Nelson, a commodity broker for Allendale Inc., joins us to break down what the U.S.-China trade agreement means for the ag economy.
October 30, 2025 12:04 PM
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Expect incremental near-term lift for feed grains, proteins, and ethanol as tariff cuts and smoother approvals translate into real orders.
October 29, 2025 03:04 PM
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