Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview

28:24

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Dave Puglia - Western Growers...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/10/04

This week's Open Mic guest is President and CEO of Western Growers Dave Puglia. Specialty crop producers are weighed down by high prices for crop inputs and labor, as well as an astronomical regulatory burden, underscoring the need for a broader national discussion about U.S. food production. Puglia says Canada and Mexico are important trading partners, but outlines changes needed to the USMCA trade accord. He also discusses specialty crop provisions in the pending farm bill and shares how

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26:32

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Kasey Cronquist - North American...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/09/27

This week's Open Mic guest is Kasey Cronquist, President of the North American Blueberry Council. The blueberry industry has a vision of blueberries as the world's favorite fruit that is consumed beyond breakfast. While it's a lofty goal, there is plenty of evidence that consumer demand for the healthy and tasty fruit is growing rapidly both domestically and globally. Even better blueberries are on the way, thanks to more research and breeding. He says trade is key to satisfying growing

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24:54

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Julie Anna Potts - The Meat...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/09/20

This week’s Open Mic guest is Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the Meat Institute. The meat industry is enjoying strong consumer demand both in the U.S. and abroad, though Potts says some segments are faring better than others. A smaller cattle inventory is squeezing beef packers and processors as producers contend with drought and high input costs. Potts praises USDA’s efforts to combat New World screwworm and says she hopes the USMCA trade agreement will be renewed. She’s optimistic

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25:47

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Michael Dykes - International...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/09/13

This week's Open Mic guest is Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association. Dykes comments on the significant role Canada and Mexico play in the success of the U.S. dairy industry and his hopes for renewing the USMCA trade agreement. He also shares concerns about EU regulations impacting U.S. exports. On the domestic front, he discusses the tremendous growth of dairy demand and how the dietary guidelines and MAHA movement are catching up to the health

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25:49

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Chris Abbott - Pivot Bio

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/09/05

This week's Open Mic guest is Chris Abbott, CEO of Pivot Bio. Innovation in the form of gene edited microbes may be a solution to helping farmers reduce fertilizer costs. Abbott says farmers are showing renewed interest in the soil biome as a means to improve plant health and harvest nutrients from the atmosphere. He also discusses how new innovations in agriculture need to be economically sustainable and enable greater productivity.

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27:17

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Emily Skor - Growth Energy

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/08/30

This week's Open Mic guest is Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. With record fuel prices, Skor says E15 is already saving consumers sizable amounts of money and those savings could be greater if Congress allows sales of higher ethanol blends all year. The group's Biofuels Summit in mid-September will bring her members to Washington to lobby for E15 legislation. Skor says they're keeping track of the Trump administration's decision on small refinery exemptions to earlier announced renewable

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26:24

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Randy Russell - The Russell Group

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/08/23

This week's Open Mic guest is Randy Russell, President and CEO of the Russell Group. He shares how the farm bill process could play out later this year. He discusses the challenges faced by food companies facing a patchwork of state food labeling and ingredient laws. Russell expects E15 legislation will eventually be approved, but isn't as confident for the outcome of additional bridge assistance or ag labor legislation in this session.

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26:28

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Kam Quarles - National Potato...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/08/16

This week's Open Mic guest is Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance. Specialty crop growers have faced many challenges, including high input prices, low commodity prices and persistent inflation. Quarles says government bridge assistance has been well short of losses and the economic storm has claimed some farms. He's concerned that the lack of adequate farm labor is pushing more production south of the border. Quarles explains

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26:40

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Colin Woodall - National...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/08/09

This week's Open Mic guest is Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. While cattle producers have seen excellent financial returns over the past several months, producers face the challenge of maintaining an infrastructure equipped for industry growth. Woodall says herd health is a primary concern for producers, and his group supports USDA efforts to protect the U.S. herd from New World screwworm. He also discusses USMCA, ag labor needs, and MCOOL in the Senate Ag

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24:07

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Ryan LeGrand - U.S. Grains and...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/08/02

This week's Open Mic guest is Ryan LeGrand, President and CEO of the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council. Following a membership meeting last week LeGrand discusses the global balance sheet for grains trading and how geopolitical events are impacting global markets. LeGrand says European weather conditions may limit grain volumes in that region and says future weather events in Brazil may also impact global grain supplies. He discusses increased potential for corn-based ethanol sales and

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26:05

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Duane Simpson - National Council...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/07/26

This week's Open Mic guest is Duane Simpson, President and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. The group held their annual fly-in last week and lobbied congressional leaders to complete a new farm bill and pass ag labor reform legislation, among other issues. Simpson says farmers are stressed with high input costs and low commodity prices threatening the survival of many operations nationwide.

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27:05

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Geoff Cooper - Renewable Fuels...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/07/19

This week's Open Mic guest is Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association. Leaders of the group recently spent a week in Washington lobbying for Senate approval of voluntary E15 legislation. Cooper cites recent studies suggesting strong support for sales of higher ethanol blends among voters from both political parties. He also discusses opportunity for industry growth in the maritime, airline and related liquid transportation fuels arena. Cooper says RFA supports

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23:23

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Gary Adams - National Cotton...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/07/12

This week's Open Mic guest is Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council. Like other row crop producers, cotton farmers are facing higher input costs and increased global competition. Adams says Brazilian farmers have ramped up production and taken a greater share of the Chinese market. He shares why cotton farmers are hopeful for a new farm bill this year, as well as the Buy American Cotton Act, which would encourage domestic mills to utilize American-grown cotton. Adams

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24:30

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Mike Joyner - Florida Fruit and...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/07/05

This week's Open Mic guest is Mike Joyner, President of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association. At a time when more Americans are turning more health conscious by adding fruits and vegetables to their diets, many of the nation's specialty crop growers are struggling to survive. Joyner says the volume of imports from Mexico and other countries continues to grow, depressing opportunities for domestic growers. Specialty crop growers face ongoing challenges in finding an adequate workforce

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25:55

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Donnell Rehagen - Clean Fuels...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/06/28

This week's Open Mic guest is Donnell Rehagen, CEO of Clean Fuels Alliance America. Members of the groups spent last week in Washington reporting the positive impact the EPA's higher RVO numbers are already having in their industry. Later in the week, USDA finalized the Regenerative Feedstocks rule and provided an updated version of the USDA Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator. Rehagen says the industry is poised for growth and hopes future RVO guidance can provide room for continued

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24:48

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Krysta Harden - U.S. Dairy...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/06/21

This week's Open Mic guest is Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Sales of dairy products in North America and around the globe have seen exponential increases over the past few decades. Harden discusses renewal of the USMCA trade agreement, proposed language in a new farm bill that would improve the outlook for dairy farmers and the International Year of the Women Farmer.

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24:33

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Dr. Paul Bloom - CEO- Gevo Inc.

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/06/14

This week's Open Mic guest is Dr. Paul Bloom, CEO of Gevo Inc. The company is bringing innovation to the renewable fuel sector. Bloom says the company's primary focus is commercializing and scaling a proven alcohol to jet pathway to make aviation fuel. Gevo is engaged in technology, process, and intellectual property development targeted to large-scale deployment of renewable hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals. Potential investors need increased certainty from government programs and tax

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26:18

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: USDA Undersecretary Dr. Scott...

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/06/07

This week's Open Mic guest is Dr. Scott Hutchins, Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hutchins says the USDA's Proving Grounds for Network for AgTech will help farmers adopt technologies to improve production and boost efficiency. Hutchins says the USDA restructuring will streamline operations, strengthen leadership accountability and position resources closer to the ag communities USDA serves.

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26:42

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: Jim Matheson - NRECA

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/05/31

This week's Open Mic guest is Jim Matheson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. Demand for electricity is growing across the nation because of data centers and other demands at the same time that coal fired power plants are being taken off-line. Matheson says the base load of electricity is running close to capacity in many areas of the country and vulnerable to failure in summer and winter weather extremes. He discusses why cooperatives need finances to restore

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25:23

Agri-Pulse Open Mic: U.S. Representative Cliff Bentz

Agri-Pulse Open Mic Interview ·

2026/05/24

This week's Open Mic guest is Oregon's 2nd District Congressman Cliff Bentz, who says a dry spring has impacted the diverse list of crops grown in his state as well as challenged ranchers with forage supplies. He supports the USMCA trade accord and hopes the review of the North American trade agreement will keep borders open and provide opportunities for fair trade. Bentz supports additional financial assistance for farmers and makes the case for ending endangered species protection for

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