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Report: Idaho’s governor vetted for top USDA post

A new name has surfaced in speculation over the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture—Idaho Republican Governor Butch Otter.

The Idaho Statesman newspaper reports that Otter is one of several candidates being vetted for the post.

The chief Washington, D.C. lobbyist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Colin Woodall, says Otter has been a great friend to the U.S. cattle industry.

“He understands what we’re trying to do. He understands the issues that we face, not only in the West, but across the country,” Woodall says, “and so the fact that he is being considered is a very good thing for us.”

Otter served in the U.S. House of Representatives for six years before becoming Idaho’s governor in 2007. He previously served as president of potato giant Simplot International, a company founded by his then father-in-law, J.R. Simplot.

Woodall says NCBA wants a Secretary of Agriculture who “understands what agriculture really is”.

“That it’s not just about organic farms. It’s not just about having 40 acres, a mule, and a patch of carrots being irrigated by rainwater.  That it takes true innovational agriculture that utilizes production technologies in order to make sure that we can not only feed ourselves, but feed the world,” Woodall says.

Woodall made those comments Thursday night during an NCBA webinar on policy issues.

AUDIO: Colin Woodall