The Indiana Ag Policy Podcast

Indiana native Nancy Martinez joins Hoosier Ag Today's Eric Pfeiffer and Steve Howell from the Indiana Corn Growers Association for this edition of the Indiana Ag Policy Podcast to discuss trade. Martinez is Director of Public Policy, Trade and Biotechnology for the National Corn Growers Association based in Washington, D.C.

Martinez discusses the latest on the Mexico-U.S. biotech corn ban and the USMCA dispute panel as well as ongoing investigations by the U.S. Department of Commerce into tariffs on phosphates and 2,4-D that are passing increased costs on to farmers.

Martinez was a 10-year 4-H member from Marion County and studied politics and religion at Indiana University. She previously worked for Senator Todd Young before joining NCGA.

The Indiana Ag Policy Podcast is presented by the Indiana Corn Growers Association and Indiana Soybean Alliance. This episode is recorded on-site in Washington, D.C.

Farmers Joe Stoller and Kevin Cox with the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Steve Howell, Senior Director of Industry Affairs for ISA, join host Eric Pfeiffer to discuss policy priorities for soybean growers like biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel, property taxes, trade, and others. We also discuss some upcoming events that you won't want to miss!

Indiana Pork Executive Director Josh Trenary and current National Pork Producers Council board member Jeb Stevens from Osgood, Indiana join Eric Pfeiffer on this podcast to discuss Prop 12, market access programs, protecting herd health, and much more as it relates to policy priorities for pork producers in the Farm Bill and at the Indiana Statehouse.

American Soybean Association Director of Government Affairs Kyle Kunkler says the new Herbicide Strategy from the Environmental Protection Agency to comply with the Endangered Species Act could "revolutionize" the farming industry and not in a good way. It could cost farmers significant amounts of money if it were implemented tomorrow. The good news is that it's not being implemented tomorrow, and folks like Kunkler and Kala Jenkins, Government Affairs Advocate for Beck's Hybrids, are advocating for farmers like you.

Hear more about this issue from Kunkler and Jenkins in the Indiana Ag Policy Podcast!

On this edition of the Indiana Ag Policy Podcast, Indiana cattle producers Kelley Sheiss and Brian Shuter discuss their recent trip to Washington, D.C. to chat with legislators about their Farm Bill priorities. They also share why IBCA supports the House version of the Farm Bill and opposes the Senate version.

Other topics discussed include:

• Value of the Beef Check-off and fending off attacks to this critical producer controlled investment program
• Black Vulture Depredation Relief Act - allowing for increased ability to protect herds from this growing predator problem
• Blocking USDA's move to allow Paraguayan Beef Imports to protect our herds and food supplies
• Reinstating the July Cattle on Feed Report that USDA has announced the discontinuation of
• Protecting tax provisions that are set to sunset at the end of 2025 at a minimum of current levels, while asking for additional cuts including the complete repeal of the Death Tax
• Importance of International Trade and Market Access to remain science-based

Chris Cherry, President of the Indiana Corn Growers Association, invites Eric Pfeiffer to his Greenfield farm to discuss EPA's approval of year-round E15 sales in 2024 and how this is becoming an annual tradition. ICGA Senior Director of Industry Affairs Steve Howell joins us to explain why we can't make this a permanent law.

They also discuss the possibility of a farm bill getting done this year and the impact of Mexico's ban on GM corn on Indiana farmers.

Our first guest on the Indiana Ag Policy Podcast is the lone full-time farmer at the Indiana Statehouse, State Representative Kendell Culp from Jasper County. Culp takes us behind the scenes of the creation and passage of House Bill 1183 that banned China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba from owning or leasing Indiana farmland.