AgNet Weekly with Sabrina Halvorson

March 16, 2024 - Representative John Duarte (R-CA)

Congress couldn’t pass a farm bill in 2023, but will it happen this year? Congressman John Duarte, a Republican from California, is unsure if we will see it pass in 2024. That’s just one of the topics discussed in this week’s AgNet Weekly with Sabrina Halvorson.

March 9, 2024: Greg Ruehle on Policy for Sorghum Producers

Sabrina Halvorson stops by the National Sorghum Producers booth at the Commodity Classic and speaks with Executive Director Greg Ruehle. Topics include the Farm Bill and sorghum in California.

March 2, 2024: Brian Kuehl on Ag Tax Bill and Future of the Farm Bill

We're reporting from Commodity Classic this week, where Sabrina talks with Brian Kuehl about a tax bill that's important to agriculture and the future of the farm bill. 

February 3, 2024: USDA Initiatives for Specialty Crops

The USDA is putting a focus on specialty crops with new investments and the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative (SCCI), which is part of a larger effort to support specialty crop producers. In this episode of the AgNet Weekly, Sabrina Halvorson talks with USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs, and fifth-generation California farmer, Jenny Lester Moffitt about these new initiatives.

January 27, 2024 -President Biden Pauses Pending LGN Exports

Friday morning, the Biden administration issued a temporary pause on pending decisions on Liquefied Natural Gas exports – with the exception of unanticipated and immediate national security emergencies. During this period, they will "take a hard look" at the impacts of LNG exports on energy costs, America’s energy security, and the environment.

Within a few hours, a group of Senators sent a letter to President Biden and Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. CC’d on the letter was Ali Zaidi, Assistant to the President and National Climate Advisor. Host Sabrina Halvorson talks with Ziadi to get more information about the decision.

January 13, 2024 – NCBA’s Ethan Lane on what the livestock industry can expect this year

With the new year comes new regulations, new laws, a new chance to get the farm bill done. There’s a lot going on for our nation’s farmers and ranchers. To get a perspective from the livestock industry, host Sabrina Halvorson talked with Vice President of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Ethan Lane. You can hear why he says the consistent threats of a government shutdown are toxic for ag businesses.

January 6, 2024 - What’s Ahead for Ag This Year with guest Brian Kuehl of Pinion

2023 was an active year for agricultural issues, so what can we expect for 2024? Host Sabrina Halvorson talks with Brian Kuehl, Director of Government and Public Affairs with the ag business consulting and accounting company Pinion.

 

December 16, 2023 - USDA Assistance for Distressed Borrowers

The deadline is fast approaching for farmers who have done everything they can and simply remain behind on their loans, and want some help. The Inflation Reduction Act provided more than $3 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct and guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. But the deadline to apply is in less than two weeks. Host Sabrina Halvorson talks with USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small and USDA Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux to get more details.

December 9, 2023 – Alexis Taylor on Trade Missions for Specialty Crops

USDA Undersecretary for Trade, Alexis Taylor, keyed in on trade missions that could be particularly beneficial to the nation’s specialty crop industries. Sabrina Halvorson talked with her at the recent National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention.

December 2, 2023 - Jaime Castaneda on the USMCA Dairy Dispute

U.S. dairy organizations along with elected officials, U.S. trade officials, and ag leaders are expressing disappointment over the recent decision by the USMCA dispute panel in the challenge against Canada’s dairy trade quotas. The U.S. charged that the quotas don’t line up with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA). Last year, a USMCA panel ruled with the U.S. However, Executive Vice President for Policy Development and Strategy for the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council Jaime Castaneda says that case didn’t solve the problem. Another challenge was filed this year and the decision came on November 24 in Canada’s favor. Castaneda joins host Sabrina Halvorson this week to discuss the dairy dispute.