Today’s guest is USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden, who joins Tony St. James to discuss competition across farm equipment, fertilizer and seed markets.
Vaden explains USDA’s work with the Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department, including a new request for farmer input on machinery competition, possible upcoming action involving fertilizer markets, and the department’s $180 million Seed Sovereignty Initiative. He also discusses USDA’s reorganization and modernization efforts, including new acreage-reporting technology, One Farmer, One File and plans to improve online access to Farm Service Agency and Rural Development loan information.