Farmers Need Positive Market Movements Soon

This is a challenging climate for American farmers.  Commodity prices are low, farm incomes are dropping and the number of farm bankruptcies are increasing.  And farmers and ranchers are growing increasingly worried about their ability to weather the storm.

Chris Skorupa, a cattle producer and Vice President of the Rural and Agriculture Council of America, says markets need to make a positive move soon before more farms and ranches are lost.

“This issue isn’t only affecting ranchers in Montana, but those across the country. For example, the USDA released an amazing stat in March that showed America lost an average of seven dairies every day in 2018. For most states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, that depend on a vibrant dairy sector, that is alarming. Something needs to change ASAP before these bankruptcies spread throughout Main Street.”

Skorupa, said the easiest way to quickly move the market is a renewed focus on increasing trade opportunities.  This he says would help ease commodity surpluses that are hammering the heartland.

“Congress has a very attractive trade deal in front of it right now. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. Once approved, it will lock in export access to key North American markets, it will level the playing field for America by addressing Canada’s unfair trade policies and will expand sales. Congress needs to bring USMCA up for a vote immediately, and they need to ratify the trade deal without haste.”

Skorupa added the U.S. needs to open new markets as well.  He said that’s why the negotiation of free and fair deals with China, Japan and Europe are so important.

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