A standing ovation greeted U.S. Secretary of Agriculture as he took the stage at the general session during 2018 Commodity Classic in Anaheim, CA, on Feb. 28. And Sonny Perdue was ready to talk, in spite of a nagging cough.

Service

Perdue’s mission at USDA is to serve farmers better.

Deregulation

As in previous speeches, Perdue reminded farmers that deregulation is in process with this administration.

He told farmers that they’re working on killing SAM and DUNS.

Trade

Perdue reminded the crowd he is at the White House every week talking about trade. And he’s committed to helping U.S. farmers.

Immigration

Ag gets caught in the crossfire regarding immigration, Perdue said.

“I know we can have an easier more effective system,” he says. “President Trump understands the need for a legal ag workforce. We’re working to get the ag workforce included in a comprehensive immigration bill.”

 

Farm bill

Sharing his principles for the farm bill, Perdue has three specific inclusions he wants to see.

Tax code

An easier and friendlier tax code is making it easier for farmers to own their business, Purdue said.

“The federal tax code shouldn’t pick winners and losers in the marketplace,” he said. “Fairness should be important to everyone even if 199 doesn’t directly affect you.”



RFS

President Trump stands with corn farmers, biofuel farmers and the RFS; I stand with him and I stand with you,” Perdue told the crowd.

And he also said we should “be smart in agriculture and think about how to create and build demand rather than build a law that will expire. I think some people have confused RIN prices with demand.”In closing, Perdue was gracious to America's farmers, thanking them for toughing it out.