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Perdue could be sworn in as Ag Secretary before April

A National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Board Member tells Brownfield Sonny Perdue could be sworn in as USDA Ag Secretary before the end of the month.

During meetings with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. earlier this week, Tom Haag of Minnesota says he and other NCGA officials met with Senate Ag Committee chairman Pat Roberts.

The Kansas senator suggested the drawn-out process of confirming the next leader of USDA is coming to a close.

“He’s saying that hopefully he gets a chance to interview next week, and by the end of the following week to have a Secretary of Ag in place.”

The Senate Ag Committee has since announced it will begin the confirmation hearing process Thursday.

Haag says there are concerns the delay in nominating an Ag Secretary indicates the Trump Administration has marginalized the Department of Agriculture.

“Maybe it’s not as important in our President’s mind.  So people in the ag community, especially on our corn board (whether) Minnesota or national, want to make sure we have (an ag secretary) there and get some positive information coming back from him.”

Haag says NCGA would like to see Perdue address trade and the new Farm Bill once he’s sworn in as Ag Secretary.