U.S. Ag Secretary Senior Advisor Andy Green talks market competition, fertilizer, seed production at National Farmers Convene ’23
(Bettendorf, Iowa) March 9, 2023 — Andy Green, senior advisor on fair and competitive markets to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, spoke yesterday at National Farmers Convention in Bettendorf, Iowa.
Green noted the difficulties farmers and ranchers and consumers have faced in the marketplace, saying the current administration and USDA are tackling the issues of fair market opportunities along with fair prices.
To achieve fair opportunities and fair prices, Green highlighted three strategies USDA is pursuing – helping farmers retain the value of their products, enhancing the regulatory environment and antitrust laws, and investing in competition.
The goal – to create a more level playing field for producers of all sizes. Competition is key to ensuring producers have the freedom to choose among different suppliers, employers, and retailers he said.
Green said billions of dollars have been invested in expanding meat and poultry processing facilities. “This administration cares about giving farmers and ranchers choices and the needed support,” said Green. Investments in cooperatives and training of processing and inspection workers have been funded. But work goes far beyond the meat industry, he noted.
Millions of dollars have been invested in domestic, sustainable American fertilizer production and the seed industry. Encouraging the production of fertilizers in the U.S. will overcome some of the supply chain issues and rising costs that farmers have faced recently, he emphasized.
Investments in plant breeding and prioritizing regionally adapted and indigenous varieties will give farmers the opportunity to utilize seed that is well adapted to their specific soils and climate. “Added seed varieties, giving farmers a choice, will help ensure sustainable and adaptable crops in the face of environmental changes,” Green noted.
Adjusting product labeling so farmers are able to label items grown in the US, not simply only those products processed here, will provide farmers added income as consumers opt for domestically grown products.
Committed to fair and competitive markets, Green invited all farmers and ranchers to share their insight with him. “We are tackling challenges farmers are facing on the ground,” Green said.
Wanting to represent producers and be an agent of change ensuring a fair marketplace, Green wants to act as a conduit, channeling the collective voice of farmers and ranchers for all to hear. More information is available at ams.usda.gov.
National Farmers markets milk, livestock and crops for thousands of American agricultural producers. We offer six decades of experience representing farmers and ranchers. We help producers market together by grouping production from many ag operations increasing each farmer’s ability to compete in the marketplace. National Farmers’ experienced marketing professionals negotiate on conventional and certified organic farmers’ behalf in cash and contract sales, establishing commodity sales terms with the farmers’ interests in mind.
