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Northey says no official word yet from USDA

Iowa ag secretary Bill Northey says there’s no formal signal from the Trump Administration that he’s been chosen to for a top position in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Speculation ramped up over the weekend after D.C.-based “Agri-Pulse” reported Northey was in line to become Undersecretary of Farm Production and Conservation.

Northey confirms he has had several conversations with Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue.

“I know he’s had that with lots and lots of folks as he’s trying to put his puzzle pieces together of where all the strengths are and who he needs in different positions,” Northey said. “You know he just announced the reorganization of USDA., so some of these positions are even new to what they’ve had and the way that they’re formed.”

In addition to the Northey report, Agri-Pulse and several other media outlets are reporting that American Soybean Association CEO Steve Censky is the choice to be USDA deputy secretary and Indiana state ag director Ted McKinney will be nominated to be Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

Radio Iowa contributed to this report.