Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 2/20/19

Lohr, who was sworn in as chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service last month, tells POLITICO the agency is aiming to finalize by "October-ish" interim rules for changes to conservation programs directed by the 2018 farm bill, H.R. 2 (115).

— "Certainly the shutdown has made things a little bit more complicated," the former Virginia ag commissioner said in a wide-ranging interview with Pro Ag's Liz Crampton.

Also on the list of priorities: Improving customer service for producers, and addressing the chronic staffing shortages — a common complaint among NRCS employees.