USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden filled in for his boss at the 2025 Farm Progress Show Tuesday, chatting on the mainstage with Mike Pearson of This Week in AgriBusiness and answering question from farm reporters on site, expressing the administration’s strong support for domestic biofuels.
“I think it’s fair to say that the second Trump administration has been the most pro-biofuels administration that we’ve had,” said Vaden. “We at USDA are very supportive of the Environmental Protection Agency and the proposed renewable volume obligations. We think those numbers are wonderful and are where they need to be and meet the current ability of America to produce biofuels. But we’re even more excited about the proposal that they have recently put out for public comment to reallocate those RINS that are being waived because of the small refinery waivers which EPA is legally required to provide.”
On the trade front, Vaden talked about the Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s trading practices and increasing export market opportunities. “When it comes to where our trade focus needs to be for agriculture, row crops and that includes biofuels are at the top of the list,” Vaden said. “This is our top ask…new markets for our row crops farmers. Corn, soybens, rice, cotton, you name it, and we are doing everything possible to break open these new markets.”
On stage and answering media questions, Vaden also discussed the USDA team and nominees, agency reorganization, modernization of funds distribution to farmers, regional USDA hubs, farm bill future, commodity prices, short term relief, meetings at FPS, staffing questions, and more.
Listen to both below:
USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden mainstage (27:18)