Effects of Government Shutdown Ripple Through the Ag Sector

Lewis Williamson, from HTS Commodities, joined us to share insights on the farm economy from producers in the field.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — While the ongoing government shutdown has furloughed nearly half of the staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and paused the release of weekly harvest progress numbers, farmers across the country continue making strides in the fields.

Lewis Williamson, with HTS Commodities, joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to share insight on what he is hearing from producers during harvest and how the shutdown could ripple through the ag sector.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Williamson discussed the progress farmers are reporting despite the lack of official data, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the Trump Administration’s expected relief package aimed at supporting soybean growers still grappling with China’s absence from the market.

He also provided an update on Mississippi River levels and the potential implications for grain movement during this critical harvest window.

Related Stories
RFD-TV had the chance to sit down with Brooke Rollins only 24 hours after her confirmation to talk about her main priorities and how she wants to take USDA back to its original intent.
The Department of Agriculture officially has a new leader, and she is the second female Agriculture Secretary in history. Let’s find out what Brooke Rollins did on day one at the USDA.
“Such recommendations really lack scientific support to justify this proposal,” according to NPPC