From the Desk of American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall

LEAD

The New World screwworm has migrated from Mexico to the Southern United States.

In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tells us all of agriculture must work to eradicate the pest.

SCRIPT

The return of New World screwworm in the United States after 60 years will have an immediate impact on farmers and ranchers in the affected areas.

We’re confident that the longstanding coordination between the states and USDA will enable a quick response and hopefully limit negative impacts and market volatility.

It is important to be clear that the screwworm does not threaten the safety of our food supply.

We are fortunate to have one of the safest food supplies in the world, which includes multiple layers of protection.

Farmers must be vigilant and report possible infections to their veterinarians.

Farmers and ranchers - working with state and federal governments - defeated the screwworm before.

We’ll do it again if we work together.

I’m Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

LEAD

Artificial Intelligence has made its way to the farmgate.

In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tells us AI could open new doors to improving agriculture.

SCRIPT

I recently visited the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, where researchers are putting AI to work for farmers in real ways.

I saw how AI can help farmers target weeds in tomato fields and reduce herbicide use by as much as 70%, while also lowering costs.

Farmers have always adopted tools that help us do more with less, and AI is another tool to improve efficiency and care for the land.

At the same time, farmers understand that this innovation comes with concerns, especially as more data centers move into rural communities.

Farmers deserve a seat at the table as these conversations move forward because no one understands stewardship better than the people who work the land every day.

I’m Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

LEAD

A new tool is helping farmers protect trees from citrus greening.

In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tells us scientific innovation is critical to producing safe and healthy food.

SCRIPT

Agriculture never stands still.

Every season brings new challenges, and innovation has always helped us keep our farms moving forward.

Last month’s approval of a new gene-edited citrus rootstock was an important step forward for agriculture.

Citrus greening has devastated America’s citrus industry for years.

The newly approved rootstock gives farmers another option to help protect trees from the disease.

Farmers have always worked to improve crops and livestock through careful breeding and selection.

Gene editing allows scientists to build on that work by making those same kinds of changes that could otherwise take decades.

Gene editing is another tool to help us keep producing safe, healthy food.

I’m Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

LEAD

China has agreed to purchase billions of dollars in agricultural goods from the U.S. in addition to previous commitments to buy American soybeans.

In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tells us it’s an important step toward improving the farm economy.

SCRIPT

Farmers are encouraged by President Trump’s recent trip to China.

He left Asia with a commitment from China to purchase an additional 17-billion dollars in agricultural goods per year from the United States.

When added to previous soybean commitments, total farm exports to China could be up to 28 to 30-billion dollars.

That’s still well below record highs set in 2022, but we’re pleased that the president made agriculture one of his priorities at the summit.

Trade disruptions have created uncertainty for America’s farmers and ranchers, who depend on open and fair markets.

The trip to China was a positive step forward, and we urge the administration to continue seeking avenues for American grown agriculture products.

I’m Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation.