5 years, 9 months ago AFBF
“Tariffs are not the ultimate answer,” says Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Speaking to the Washington International Trade Association, Perdue told the group tariffs are rather “a tool to get people’s attention” so both teams “play by the same rules.” Politico reports that Perdue recognized retaliation by China, Mexico, Canada and the European Union to Trump’s tariffs was causing pain in farm country, but he tried to frame it in an optimistically. Perdue said he told the President Wednesday when asked how things are in farm country: "I can't lie to you. It's a little bit like a weight loss program. It's painful when you're going through, but we think there's going to be better days ahead." The comments came the day the House Ways and Means committee heard from farmers and ranchers on the harm the ongoing trade war is causing. A current consensus seems to be that agriculture understands trade could be better when the dust settles, but an American Farm Bureau Federation representative says the decisions made now could be costly for farmers and ranchers.
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Canada Dairy Group Expresses Need to be Vigilant Regarding Trade
Dairy Farmers of Canada highlighted challenges the group is facing during its annual meeting this week. Dairy farmers from across Canada gathered in Quebec as the annual meeting focused on international trade with the industry is facing pressure from the United States through the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiation. Highlighting that the Canadian dairy industry is facing new challenges, including international trade and the questioning of the nutritious value of dairy products. Leadership of the group says: “There is a compelling case for us, as dairy farmers, but also for the whole sector, to speak with one voice.” Industry leaders warn “Canadian dairy is in the sights of the U.S. government in NAFTA renegotiations," adding "we now need to be vigilant." The U.S. wants Canada to make changes to its dairy supply management system through the NAFTA renegotiation, however Canada has maintained that it will not do so.
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Trade Impacts on Land Prices Unknown. Now
The impact of the current trade climate on land prices remains unknown, but Farmers National Company says time will tell. Farmers National says there is no easy answer as to what effect trade issues are having on land prices currently. The company says many factors influence local land values. Supply of land for sale and the level of demand are key factors influencing land prices along with the income generated by the land and interest rates. However, when noticing low commodity prices, the company explains that land is a long-term investment and its true value is an expression of future revenue streams. The group says uncertainty of future events causes today's caution but adds “stay tuned to see what plays out over the next few months” in agriculture and the land market for the answer.
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Administration Proposes ESA Changes
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries announced Thursday proposed revisions to the Endangered Species Act. Several proposed changes deal with procedures for listing species, recovery and designating critical habitat. The agencies propose to revise the procedures for designating critical habitat by reinstating a requirement that they will first evaluate areas currently occupied by the species before considering unoccupied areas. The agencies are also clarifying that decisions to delist a species are made using the same standard as decisions to list species. The Fish and Wildlife Service is separately proposing to rescind its blanket rule which automatically conveyed the same protections for threatened species as for endangered species unless otherwise specified. Ethan Lane, Executive Director of the Public Lands Council, says the proposal takes a “serious and measured approach to modernizing the regulatory side” of the ESA. Lane says the changes could “provide tremendous relief to ranchers once finalized.”
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Drought Increasing in Parts of the Midwest, Despite Spotty Rains
The Midwest saw rains this week in some much-needed areas and some not needed areas. It’s been a spotty season in the heart of the United States as areas such as Western Iowa are wet, in fact nearing too wet. But, to the south, much of northern Missouri is classified in an extreme drought, according to the latest Drought Monitor. Farmers in parts of Missouri are reporting estimated yield losses up to 70 percent for corn, and others are chopping corn for silage, normally a rare occurrence those areas of the state. Farmers report fields “look like September,” when asked about crop conditions in Northern Missouri. Further, with the expectation of the Gavins Point Dam water releases to reach 60,000 cubic feet per second next week, The Missouri River along Iowa and Nebraska into Missouri remains swollen, risking flood stages on a daily basis. Eastern Kansas remains dry, as well, with crops lacking much-needed moisture. The Western region of the U.S. has nearly all of its Southern states in a classified drought. And, much of Texas, parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana, are in a classified drought, as well.
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Roberts Honored with International Trade Award
For his work to fight for open markets for American agriculture, Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas was presented the Congressional Leadership Award by the Washington International Trade Association. Presented to the Republican this week, the award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions in the field of international trade. In accepting the award, Roberts, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, noted that last year the total value of U.S. agricultural exports was over $138 billion. He says, "free trade is not only good for U.S. agriculture, it is absolutely essential." Of the current trade climate, Roberts says trade “should not be used as a weapon,” calling trade a “tool for peace,” national security and economic growth. The International Trade Association says Robert’s has long been outspoken on the benefits of increased access to foreign markets for U.S. agriculture, and addressing those concerns with the current administration.
