On Wednesday, then-President-elect Trump named the final member of his Cabinet, selecting former Georgia governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture. If approved by the Senate, Perdue will take lead of the USDA, a government agency that oversees farming, ranching, forestry, food safety, nutrition, and development of rural communities.
For some Midwestern farmers, the appointment of someone from outside the Corn Belt was a disappointment, although Perdue, a veterinarian, does come from a farming background and has managed businesses involved in grain trading and trucking.
Thus far, his nomination has been met favorably by industry groups involved in grain farming, livestock raising, and biofuel production. Perdue could play a major role in shaping farm policy, something that is near and dear to many of our readers.
For agricultural producers, this week brought favorable price action as well. Corn, wheat, soybeans, and cattle all reached multi-month highs on concerns of smaller global grain supplies and stronger beef demand.