Trade policy is now the top concern for farmers, according to a Purdue University finding

A recent survey from Purdue University shows farmer sentiment is slipping in rural America, and economists say today’s problems are very different than just months ago.

“Back in August, before the election, 22 percent of the respondents in the survey chose interest rate policy as one of their top concerns versus 20 percent choosing trade policy. Since the election, over 40 percent, an average of 43 percent, of the respondents to the survey have chosen trade policy as their top concern. While the percentage choosing interest rate policy as a top concern has been falling, and this month was just ten percent,” said James Mintert.

Right now, Mintert says interest rate policy is a top concern for just 10 percent of those who responded.

Related Stories
Rail rulings, export terminal access, and equipment rules are becoming bigger factors in grain shipping costs and reliability.
Higher ocean freight rates can add export cost pressure even when grain demand remains active.
Weekly export movement stayed solid, with corn and sorghum continuing to show the strongest overall pace.
California almond acreage tightens while pistachios shift into an off-year, shaping a mixed outlook for prices and supply in the tree nut market.
March cold storage data showed generally tighter year-over-year stock levels across several key meat and dairy categories.
U.S. Soybean Export Council CEO Jim Sutter joins us to discuss the impact of new trade development funding for U.S. soy.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss the latest developments surrounding the Trump/Xi summit, what the negotiations could mean for U.S. agriculture, and
trade enforcement concerns.
Huma Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Fred Nichols joins us to discuss rising interest in carbon-based products, soil health strategies, and fertilizer cost concerns.
The lower outlook follows months of drought stress across major winter wheat regions, where some producers have abandoned fields or shifted acres to grazing instead of harvest.
Current estimates indicate the federal government could be forced to return more than $150 billion to importers.
Mike Schulte with the Oklahoma Wheat Commission joins us to discuss drought stress in the Great Plains and the current outlook for Oklahoma’s winter wheat crop.