Ag groups sound alarm on uncontrollable issues

Market relief is needed, organizations told President Trump

American farm organizations are asking President Trump for more support given the uncontrollable issues affecting U.S. agriculture.

A March 19 letter signed by multiple groups including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Association of Wheat Growers and the American Soybean Association says between winter storms and drought, and the conflict in Iran, farmers are bearing the brunt of the aftereffects.

“This combination of sustained market pressures, weather-related challenges and geopolitical uncertainty poses a serious threat to the upcoming growing season and the long-term viability of U.S. agriculture,” the letter says.

The Trump Administration previously announced the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program to support farmers affected by export tariffs.

But a new round of relief focused on market relief is needed at this time, the groups say.

The support in part should “provide relief for farmers who sold at harvest time lows due to trade uncertainty, support farmers and ranchers dealing with catastrophic weather events, and build-longer term demand stability for U.S. agriculture through year-round sales of E15…,” the groups wrote.

Some individual groups from the letter have made their own requests.

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), which represents fruit, vegetable and other specialty crop farmers, suggested the specialty crop sector receive billions in support.

“Specialty crops account for one-third of all U.S. crop sales and should receive no less than one-third of any agricultural aid package,” the organization said it is own March 19 statement. “That is why we continue to call on Congress for a dedicated aid package for specialty crops of not less than $5 billion.”

A potential aid package could be worth more than the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program.

A March 6 Politico report suggested lawmakers are working on an aid plan with a $15 billion price tag.