Farmer Says Trade Policy Needs to Give a Boost Soon

A Kansas farmer says time is running out for the administration’s trade policy to deliver benefits to producers ahead of the next growing season.

Shale Porter says, “If we continue with our trade talks, maybe we might get a bump in prices. That’s my concern if we raise a good crop, but it’s not worth very much.”

Porter says the tariff strategy hasn’t had much of an impact on his operation. “Going forward they might, though. If we continue implementing more tariffs on certain countries that we get parts and chemicals from it may hurt us for next year.” He says he plans on locking in input prices in the next several weeks for the 2026 crop year.

Speaking with reporters in Nebraska recently, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said it could take a couple of months for countries to begin purchasing more U.S. commodities. She said the administration continues to build out the recently announced trade agreements in principle.  

And, Rollins said, they are looking at different “stop-gap measures” to help offset negative impacts from trade negotiations.

EDITOR’S TAKE:

As we have stated many times in this AIR, exports help farmers/ranchers create a stronger price foundation for the various commodities they produce. We are currently running a trade deficit for ag in the U.S. Expanding trade vis a vis new trading partners and expanding sales to current partners is critical to improving prices and incomes down on the farm/ranch. USDA plays a critical role in helping farmers/ranchers and their commodity organizations to expand trade. Let’s be optimistic that trade expansion and the tariff agreements begin to bear fruit in the near future.

In the meantime, be sure to emphasize that your dealership can help those farmers/ranchers in your area to maintain their current vehicles. By having your service and parts departments extend an invitation for that oil/lube job, new tires or a discount on common parts, could prove to be great service just before harvest.