The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.

Today, Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway issued the following statement upon the announcement of President-Elect Donald Trump's selection of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to be the nominee for Secretary of Agriculture.

"Agriculture is the backbone of our nation. However, America's farmers and ranchers are facing difficult times under current farm conditions, and they deserve a Secretary who will work diligently to turn those tides. As we begin working on the next Farm Bill, the Secretary will play a vital role in implementing positive changes for our producers and must understand every aspect of the job at hand. We need someone who is willing to work every day with the mindset of protecting America's farmers and ranchers, especially when it comes to introducing regulatory actions. I look forward to working with Sonny Perdue, especially on the committee's priorities as Congress begins its work toward the next Farm Bill."