Agriculture Secretary Rollins Outlines Priorities for Farm Economy

US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins spoke at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, outlining four priorities for agriculture: data modernization, biofuels, fertilizer, and cattle. She pointed to gains in agricultural exports, including a trade deficit cut roughly in half since her administration took office. Soybean oil exports are up 129%, dairy exports have increased by 15%, corn exports are up 35%, and ethanol exports have risen by 21%.

Rollins announced a modernization effort to improve how the USDA collects information from farmers and produces acreage, yield, and other agricultural estimates. The plan has four components: modernizing producer reporting experience, improving acreage and yield estimates, integrating USDA data and technology platforms, and increasing trust and transparency. Farmers have been involved in developing these changes, providing feedback on repetitive surveys and outdated systems.

The Secretary also highlighted the administration's support for biofuels, including proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volumes and continued backing of year-round E15. Biofuel production has increased by 150 million gallons annually since the beginning of her administration. Ethanol exports are up $475 million compared to last year.