Trade policies and the stalled farm bill are major concerns at the National Farmers Union Convention. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish highlighted the lasting impact of past trade wars, emphasizing that soybean exports to China have yet to recover. “They’re finding other markets and it’s incentivized Argentina, Brazil farmers to raise more,” Wertish said. “Now we’re entering another round of tariff wars, and that’s very concerning to agriculture.” He warned that ongoing trade disputes could drive up input costs while reducing prices for U.S. farmers. Beyond trade concerns, Wertish stressed the need for stability in farm bill negotiations, noting that continued delays create uncertainty for farmers and rural communities. “The farm bill is a safety net for farmers when things aren’t going well, which is needed, but it’s also a safety net for Rural America, too.” With deep political divides in Washington, Wertish said passing a new bill remains a challenge.
