Potato industry nervous but hopeful about the upcoming Administration’s policies

The CEO of the National Potato Council says folks are asking the right questions, but their concerns may be presumptive.

With so much change on the horizon, the ag industry is bracing for what the new Administration has in store.

The CEO of the National Potato Council says folks are asking the right questions, but their concerns may be presumptive.

“If the threat of tariffs drives countries that we partner with, and in some cases compete with, if it drives them to the negotiating table where we can get a better deal overall for, selfishly for U.S. agriculture’s huge trade deficit, we can start balancing that trade deficit. That will be a very good thing. Obviously, if you had massive tariffs go on just kind of wholesale across the United States and never come off, that’s an entirely different matter. But that hasn’t happened. So, I think we just have to give the administration the opportunity to actually implement their policies,” said Kam Quarles.

Regardless, Quarles says the way things are currently going is not working, so he hopes change leads to more positive outcomes.

Related Stories
Large animal veterinarian Dr. Rosalyn Biggs with Oklahoma State University warns producers may not be prepared for the real threat of New World Screwworm.
As the government shutdown pushes the farm economy closer to the brink, Sens. Grassley and Ernst of Iowa are raising their voices for agriculture.
RFD-TV farm legal and taxation expert, Roger McOwen, joins us with his perspective on what farmers can expect from the delayed aid package.
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to share why Ames is uniquely positioned to support expanded USDA operations.
Iowa land values dropped 3% year-over-year. Sen. Chuck Grassley said this discomforting pattern is a harbinger of crisis for farmers, as seen in the 1980s.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Analysts say that while low-income households are facing financial pressures, other middle- and higher-income consumers are helping fill the gap for retail beef demand.
Despite China’s sharp drop in grain purchases this year, new USDA export data this week shows that even some buying activity from the trade giant still moves the markets.
Tim and Sharyn Abbott of the Music City Celebration Sale recap the weekend’s premier auction, which drew top dairy breeders and buyers to Nashville again this year from across North America.
The bill to once again allow schools to offer whole milk and 2% milk will now go to President Trump for approval.
Plans are underway for the 27th annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, a June event celebrating farm heritage, tractor history, and rural traditions. Event manager Matt Kenney joins us to highlight the importance of commemorating farm heritage.
Farm Legal Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joins us to share more about the North Dakota court decision and the its larger impact on agriculture.