Markets & News: Signal to Noise with Jim Wiesemeyer

Policy analysts, market watchers and especially farmers were caught off guard by President Donald Trump's tweet this week that he will impose new 10% tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese goods. The announcement was a strong signal that farmers need to be prepared for the long haul in the China trade war, according to Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer.  

This week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast looks at the financial and political implications of the new China tariffs, the changing of the ag guard in Congress, and a renewed push against waivers from the Renewable Fuels Standard for refiners.

Wiesemeyer is joined by Farm Journal news director John Herath and AgWeb policy writer Anna-Lisa Laca.

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Farmers this week got details of the first round of 2019 Market Facilitation Program Payments. The program will dump about $7.25 billion into farming areas of the country around September. What impact will that have on struggling rural economies? Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer and AgriTalk's Chip Flory join Farm Journal news director John Herath to look at the difference MFP will, and won't, make in rural America. 

Also in this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast, Wiesemeyer talks about key signals to watch for in next week's China trade talks and Flory shares insights in how the Pro Farmer Crop Tour will look at this never before seen crop year.

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Sources are telling Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer to watch for a USDA announcement of details of the 2019 version of Market Facilitation Program payments on Thursday. But will there be enough detail for farmers to determine the financial impact on their operation? 

This week's DC Signal to Noise podcast has the latest details on the tariff aid program, a somewhat pessimistic update and China talks and potential budget problems on the horizon for agriculture.

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Politics guru David Wasserman picks apart various scenarios for the 2020 elections and how they could impact agriculture in this special edition of the DC Signal to Noise podcast with Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer and AgriTalk Radio host Chip Flory.

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Special guest Jeff Harrison of Combest Sell & Associates joins the DC Signal to Noise Podcast this week and makes the case that USDA should commit to paying all three tranches of tariff aid payments in 2019, even if there are breakthroughs in trade deals with China, Mexico and Canada. 

Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer meanwhile shares where he will be watching for signals of progress as President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping meet at the G20 Conference this weekend.

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Mexico this week approved the U.S., Mexico, Canada Agreement (USMCA) bringing the NAFTA replacement a step closer to ratification. There are positive signs for USMCA approval in Congress this week, according to Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer, but Democrats have not yet issued their list of demands for passage. President Donald Trump appears ready to deliver on some, but not all goodies, to get the trade measure passed. 

This week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast includes updates on the USMCA talks, the latest on prevent plant and tariff aid payments, a look at the June 28 USDA acreage report and more.

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USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue continues to add confusion around the 2019 Market Facilitation Program. Pro Farmer's Jim Wiesemeyer says in this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast that the confusion stems from the fact that USDA is still debating internally how the tariff aid payments should be structured.

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USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue continues to be coy about whether prevent plant acres will be eligible for a Market Facilitation Program payment in 2019, adding to the long list of questions growers have about their prevent plant decisions. In this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast, Pro Farmer policy analyst Jim Wiesemeyer lays out the options being considered by USDA as the agency continues to look for a prevent plant loophole. 

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President Donald Trump plans to impose a 5% tariff on everything imported from Mexico starting June 10 unless the Mexican government addresses illegal immigration to the U.S. In tweeting the demand, the president did not provide any guidance on how Mexico could satisfy that demand. Still, Pro Farmer Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer thinks the two countries will find resolution before the tariffs go in place. Farm Journal news director John Herath and AgWeb.com policy writer Anna-Lisa Laca join in an analysis of the new tariff threat, the growing angst over the tariff aid package and how it relates to prevented plant insurance and the last-minute announcement of year-round E15 in this week's DC Signal to Noise Podcast.

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USDA and the the White House this week unveiled version 2.0 of a tariff aid plan, opting for a single, unified payment for all Title I crops instead of last year's per-bushel, per crop payment. Will the new framework avoid altering planting intentions? Pro Farmer Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer, AgWeb.com policy writer Anna-Lisa Laca and Farm Journal News Director John Herath analyze details of the new Market Facilitation Program in this week's DC Signal to Noise podcast. They also look at what the new MFP means for the future of China trade talks.

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