The trade dispute with China could impact several commodities, including a proposed 25 percent tariff on all U.S. wheat exports. While China is a small market for wheat, National Association of Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule says keeping all international markets open is critical. “With low net farm income, we need to be developing markets, not causing retaliatory damages.”
Trade disputes and the farm bill are causing some uncertainty for farmers and agricultural lenders. Goule says without a strong safety net and international markets, there is little collateral for operating loans. “I’m getting phone calls from farmers that their lenders are concerned. A lot of them are having trouble securing operating loans.”