Farmers Need Trade

By Cindy Ramsey

Most people don’t think much about trade, but it is very important for farmers. We are dependent on trade with other countries to sell our products at a fair and equitable price. My husband used a phrase the other day in a media interview that stuck in my mind. He said, “Farmers want trade, not aid.” That is what we want – a decent price for our products and not a government check.

A group of international visitors from the U.S. Soybean Export Council, which works to build global demand for U.S. soybeans and soybean products, recently visited our farm to discuss imports. They wanted to know if the trade wars would affect our crops. The visitors were mostly from South and Central America where they can grow soybeans, but they don’t have the transportation system we have here and that can be a big issue.

The U.S. exports one of every three rows of soybeans grown here to China. And 50 percent of all U.S.-grown soybeans are exported around the world.

We also met recently with members of a Chinese delegation. They were hopeful that the current trade issues would not last long. They want and need our soybeans there.

The U.S. exports one of every three rows of soybeans grown here to China. And 50 percent of all U.S.-grown soybeans are exported around the world. That is why we want our president to understand the importance of trade. Increasing exports of soybeans and other agricultural products would be a positive way to reduce our trade deficit with China.

Trade tariffs will not affect the crop we’re growing this year as much as those in future years; most farmers have already marketed a portion of this year’s crop. Farmers are starting to plan for the 2019 crop. The tariffs will affect our plans and inputs cost for 2019 as well as our harvest income.

We are a nation that feeds the world. We depend on trade so we can continue to do that, and to feed, clothe and provide fuel for our own people. As Indiana farmers, we need these trade issues to be settled for us, but also for our two sons who are partners on our farm and our 11 granddaughters who are the next generation to feed the world.

Cindy Ramsey is a row crop farmer and Farm Bureau member in Indiana. She is a member of the American Farm Bureau’s Grassroots Action (GO) Team.