U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack gave a sequester day speech at the 2013 Commodity Classic in Orlando on Friday.

“On this day in particular, it’s great to be outside of Washington,” Vilsack said. “Frankly, I have to apologize to all of you. This is crazy what is happening. In a functioning democracy this shouldn’t happen.”

Vilsack told corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum farmers that USDA furlough notices will be sent out next week and there will be some offices where people “simply aren’t there.”

Listen to Sec. Vilsack’s speech here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/classic-13-vilsack-speech.mp3″ text=”Sec. Vilsack Speech”]

Listen to Sec. Vilsack’s press conference here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/commodity-classic/classic-13-vilsack-presser.mp3″ text=”Sec. Vilsack Press Conference”]

2013 Commodity Classic Photo Album