Trade at the Forefront of Agriculture Policy, Farmers’ Worries

One of the biggest concerns for farmers early in the Trump Administration is trade policy. President Trump has promised to renegotiate NAFTA and has withdrawn from TPP – both crucial to farmers’ economic health. Naming Iowa’s Gov. Branstad Ambassador to China, however, is a positive sign for free trade.

Many other daunting challenges for farmers include the large carryover of corn and wheat and the persistent low prices that have caused four years of inordinately low prices, the longest decline since the Great Depression. Farmers also worry about the need to adequately fund crop insurance and maintain a strong ethanol program.

– David T. Crow, Founder, DCLRS