Wyatt Bechtel reported this week at AgWeb Online that, “Producers are excited to have a Secretary of Agriculture who has first-hand experience working in agriculture and growing up on a farm.
“On April 28, three days after former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue was sworn in as Secretary of Agriculture he visited Kansas City, Mo. for his first official trip away from Washington D.C. representing the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Perdue spoke in front of a crowd of more than 450 people made up of farmers, ranchers, allied industry members, students and FFA members at the American Royal.”
Mr. Bechtel noted that, “The confirmation of Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture is exciting because there are common values shared by the leadership at USDA with farmers and ranchers, says Ramona, Kan. cattle rancher Tracy Brunner. Last year Brunner served as National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president.
“‘As a trained and practicing veterinarian, he brings so much understanding of the livestock industry to the office,’ Brunner says.”
The AgWeb update added that, “Perdue told the crowd about his communication with President Trump on getting U.S. beef into China. Trump even asked Perdue to make some remarks for a letter that will be addressed to the Chinese President in an effort to open up beef exports.
“He also believes Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will be a major part in getting beef access to China once Branstad is confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to China.
“‘Gov. Branstad has done a good job selling Iowa soybeans. We want him to sell some Kansas, Missouri and Heartland beef over there,’ Perdue says of trade with China.”
