Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

This week’s guest on Open Mic is Todd Van Hoose, President and CEO of the Farm Credit Council. While there are challenges with various commodities in different regions of the country, Van Hoose says generally 2022 should be profitable for most producers. However, the outlook for 2023 and beyond appears much more daunting with higher interest rates, increased input costs and uncertain outlook with both government regulations and legislation. In this interview, Van Hoose discusses potential changes to farm risk management tools, permanent disaster assistance and land values.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Terry Wolters, president of the National Pork Producers Council. Justices on the Supreme Court recently heard arguments on both sides of the California ballot initiative known as Proposition 12. Minnesota producer Terry Wolters says the measure would cause problems for producers and processors and increase food costs for consumers. In this interview, Wolters offers his observations of the discussion and expands on the possible implications of the ballot measure. Wolters offers insight on trade, border security, labor and USDA’s processing protocols.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation. The calendar year 2022 has yet again proven challenging and full of surprises for the nation’s farmers and ranchers. In this podcast, Duvall discusses current agriculture- related cases before the Supreme Court as well as ongoing regulatory decisions that are pending from the Environmental Protection Agency. Duvall is encouraged that disaster assistance funds may be considered by Congress in an Omnibus spending package after the November elections. The Georgia farmer applauds the Biden administration’s efforts to address hunger and nutrition and believes agriculture technology, research and development should be a part of the discussion. Farm bureau members are currently working on farm policy proposals that will be debated at their national convention, set for Puerto Rico in January.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Yin Woon Rani, CEO of MilkPEP. The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board sees a certain opportunity for growth from a growing health-conscious consumer base. However, fluid milk consumption continues to decline largely due to the fast-paced lifestyle of many Americans today. Yin Woon Rani brings an extensive career in the food industry to her role in promoting milk and educating younger generations about the benefits of milk. MilkPEP collaborates with other dairy promotion groups and is reaching back to a true performer and the “Got Milk” campaign.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Dr. Nathan Pumplin, president and CEO of Norfolk Healthy Produce. Improvements in mechanization, nutrient management and crop protection have helped farmers make tremendous strides in productivity and sustainability, but Pumplin believes the industry is on the cusp of a tremendous revolution of more and better food for consumers through genetic engineering. The company is working with Washington now to gain full commercial status for a purple tomato with improved health benefits for consumers. Pumplin responds to questions on the safety of the science behind the new variety and the regulatory obstacles to growth in the industry.

This week’s Open Mic guest is Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association. The group — formed earlier this year by a merger of the United Fresh Produce Association and the Produce Marketing Association — is preparing for the upcoming White House meeting on hunger and nutrition as well as its own gathering in the nation's capital, where Burns says the group’s focus is the ongoing nutritional challenges in the nation and the world. IFPA is watching closely the development of the 2023 farm bill with a special interest in research as well as nutrition programs. Labor remains a top priority for IFPA members, and Burns is hopeful Congress can still address the issue this year.