Newly appointed US Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack has laid out his priorities for the year ahead and has put cutting childhood obesity and supporting the development of biofuels at the top of the list.

Both are very laudable aims. But perhaps the one farmers will be most keen to see come to fruition will be the introduction of a financial 'safety net' to ensure the profitability of ranchers and farmers.

The whole US agricultural sector is under financial strain and any move by Vilsack to alleviate this will be welcomed with open arms in rural communities.

I just wonder whether it is possible to achieve all these aims, given the wide remit that Vilsack's job covers. And if not, which should be his highest priorities?