American Soybean Association: Reauthorizing the U.S. Grain Standards Act will help remove uncertainty

The U.S. Grain Standards Act is up for reauthorization. Ag leaders from across the industry stepped away from the fields this week to explain to lawmakers the importance of re-upping this legislation.

The American Soybean Association says authorizing this bill will help remove some uncertainty.

“Uncertainty is kind of a way of life in agriculture when you depend on the weather, but we try to do everything we can to remove as much uncertainty as we can, and we also understand those are the same priorities for our international buyers. Anytime you buy anything from a shirt to a car to a cargo of soybeans, you want to know what you’re paying and what you’re getting for it, and if you know both of those things, I think you have a very good relationship. These rules are imperative to the continuation of our good relationships abroad,” said Brandon Wipf.

The U.S. Grain Standards Act sets official marketing standards and inspection rules for crops like corn and soybeans. The House Ag Committee already passed its version. Chair GT Thompson says it is critical because farmers cannot afford to waste a dime.

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“It does not extinguish right away here — in any sort of sense — the real profitability concerns and people’s ability to pay bills and get to the other side of this in the very short term. This is where the skepticism builds.”