Agri-Pulse DriveTime

Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union and Jed Bower, President of the National Corn Growers Association discuss the economic challenges facing the nation's farming community and appeal to both the legislature and the administration to get back to work and take action.

A GOP plan to reopen the government failed again today in the Upper Chamber. The American Soybean Association called on the Trump administration to resolve trade differences with China. A Brazilian crop agency is forecasting another season of record production for both corn and soybeans.

President Trump today threatened to pull financial support for Argentina's economy and continued tariff and trade threats with China. The National Farmers Union today appealed to the White House and Congress to approve assistance for farmers. JBS USA plans a new processing plant in Iowa.

President Trump is threatening to restrict technology exports and impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese imports following China's move to further restrict rare earth minerals. The American Farm Bureau sent letters to the Oval Office and Congress today appealing for help from the current farm economic crisis.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the government will have to reopen before an aide package for U.S. farmers can be implemented. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says says the U.S. finalized a currency swap worth $20 billion dollars today with Argentina's central bank. China took action to further restrict the export of rare earth minerals.

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley and Nebraska Senator Deb Fisher have both spoken out about the need for Congress to act to support farmers on multiple fronts. Advancing E-15 legislation, addressing high input costs and opening global markets for fair trade are on their list to bring balance to crop farmers.

Today President Trump seemed willing to embrace free North American Trade between the U.S., Canada and Mexico whether in multilateral or bilateral deals. The government shutdown is impacting both conservation and nutrition programs under the USDA.

Agri-Pulse reports today that over two hundred ag groups wrote President Trump requesting financial assistance. With no reports from the USDA traders are left with private forecasts for harvest progress and overall production. Brazilian farmers are off to a quick start planting soybeans.

North Dakota Senator John Hoeven says the government shut-down could impact the Trump administration's announcement of an assistance package for crop farmers. Hoeven is featured on this week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers and says there are multiple reasons for Washington to support farmers.