Pence, Perdue address farmers' fears in Ag Day speeches - Entrepreneur Generations

Vice President Mike Pence speaks on Ag Day
(DTN photo by Greg Horstmeier)

Yesterday's speeches by Vice President Mike Pence and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in honor of National Agriculture Day celebrated farmers as per the usual, but both addressed major difficulties that farmers are having with the administration and Congress.

Perdue, who spoke at the National Press Club, acknowledged that grain companies and farmer co-ops are waiting for a tax change in the upcoming omnibus bill to fix the "grain glitch"--a provision added at the last minute to the tax overhaul bill passed in December that threatens to distort the grain market. 

He also discussed the ongoing debate about the Renewable Fuels Standard, which worries corn and soybean farmers who produce crops that are sometimes turned into biofuels. "Perdue said there have been intense discussions about what to do regarding Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), but no solutions have been reached. Perdue suggested to reporters that President Trump may seek a solution through Congress rather than administrative actions," Chris Clayton and Jerry Hagstrom report for DTN/The Progressive Farmer. "Perdue noted RIN prices have fallen more than 60% since last fall, and RIN prices would fall further if EPA would approve year-round 15% ethanol blends." Perdue also addressed farmers' worries that Trump's tariffs will spark a trade war that could hurt agriculture.

"Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in a brief interview during the Ag Day events that he hopes there is still time to sway the president not to impose new tariffs on China," DTN reports. "Duvall said he hoped Perdue and White House agricultural adviser Ray Starling, as well as the U.S. Trade Representative's Office, are all talking to the president about reconsidering his stance."

Pence, who spoke at USDA headquarters, read a proclamation issued by Trump on Monday stressing the importance of the agricultural economy and noting that the USDA is investing in rural broadband and other infrastructure. It also said that the new tax cuts will help farmers. Pence touted the Environmental Protection Agency's rollback of President Obama's changes to the Waters of the United States rule, and promised to "pass a farm bill that delivers for American farmers."

from The Rural Blog http://ift.tt/2ptxV7Y Pence, Perdue address farmers' fears in Ag Day speeches - Entrepreneur Generations

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