1-20 NWR Vilsack to Dairy Exports

1-20 NWR Vilsack to Dairy Exports

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
This is your Northwest report for Inauguration Day 2017 I'm David Sparks and as everyone knows, big changes are occurring in Washington and, that includes a significant transition for outgoing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

 

It was announced Wednesday that following his service at USDA, Vilsack will now lead the U.S. Dairy Export Council.  He talks about why he's excited to make this transition, and about his hopes for the future of U.S. dairy exports. "Probably more than any other aspect of agriculture, dairy producers are working 365 days a year, 24/7. so they are hard-working, they care deeply about the industry and about their families and their farms so I am excited about this opportunity because I am working for and with people I like. Number two, it's a great product. It is very easy to sell and to advocate on behalf of dairy producers and processors because we have a great product, a safe product, a nutritious product, high quality product we can sell around the world.

And speaking of Secretaries of Agriculture, President-elect Donald Trump made it official yesterday, naming former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue as his choice for Agriculture Secretary, drawing an immediate endorsement from Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts who will play a key role in Perdue's confirmation process.

New research suggests that agricultural subsidies have done little to help those below the poverty line become more food secure.

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