Before the final session of the National FFA Convention, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told the media USMCA ratification timeline depends on Congress, potentially in the first quarter of 2019. “This is a great deal. It’s a good deal for agriculture. It’s a great deal for American workers, auto industry and others. I can’t imagine that would not be confirmed by Congress.” Perdue says the second round of the Market Facilitation Program payments will happen in early December. Trade relations with China are still a challenge.