Flags

Representatives from the United States and China got back to the negotiating table in January during a temporary tariff ceasefire between the two countries. China also slowly started to buy more soybeans from American farmers at the end of 2018. At press time the two countries were still negotiating a resolution to the ongoing trade dispute.

In other trade news, the new North American trade agreement (the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) was signed by all three countries at the end of November. Congress must put its stamp of approval on the new agreement in order for it to be implemented.

“Recognizing that every year roughly $40 billion in agricultural products leave the United States and make their way to Canada and Mexico, protecting a strong trade relationship with these nations is critical,” said Jack Irvin, OFBF senior director of state and national affairs. “Farm Bureau will continue to push for market and trade access with everyone from our immediate neighbors to countries around the world, focused on opening doors to better promote long-term opportunities for our farm families.”

USMCA includes:

•    New market access for dairy and poultry products in Canada while maintaining the zero-tariff platform on all other ag products and on all ag products to Mexico.
•    Agreement from Canada to end its Class 7 pricing scheme.
•    U.S. dairy products gain access to an additional 3.6 percent of Canada’s dairy market.
•    Canada agreed to treat wheat imports the same as domestic wheat for grading and pricing, and Mexico and the U.S. agreed that all grading standards for ag products will be non-discriminatory.
•    This is the first free trade agreement for the U.S. that includes measures that address cooperation, information sharing and other trade rules related to biotechnology and gene editing.
•    There also are provisions that enhance science-based trading standards among the three nations as the basis for sanitary and phytosanitary measures for ag products, as well as progress in the area of geographic indications.

Labor has always been an issue, mainly because we are a seasonal operation. So that's a challenge finding somebody who only wants to work three months out of a year, sometimes up to six months.
Mandy Way's avatar
Mandy Way

Way Farms

Farm Labor Resources
I appreciate the benefit of having a strong voice in my corner. The extras that are included in membership are wonderful, but I'm a member because of the positive impact to my local and state agricultural communities.
Ernie Welch's avatar
Ernie Welch

Van Wert County Farm Bureau

Strong communities
I see the value and need to be engaged in the community I live in, to be a part of the decision-making process and to volunteer with organizations that help make our community better.
Matt Aultman's avatar
Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Leadership development
Farm Bureau involvement has taught me how to grow my professional and leadership experience outside of the workforce and how to do that in a community-centric way.
Jaclyn De Candio's avatar
Jaclyn De Candio

Clark County Farm Bureau

Young Ag Professionals program
With not growing up on a farm, I’d say I was a late bloomer to agriculture. I feel so fortunate that I found the agriculture industry. There are so many opportunities for growth.
Jenna Gregorich's avatar
Jenna Gregorich

Coshocton County Farm Bureau

Growing our Generation
Knowing that horticulture is under the agriculture umbrella and having Farm Bureau supporting horticulture like it does the rest of ag is very important.
Jared Hughes's avatar
Jared Hughes

Groovy Plants Ranch

Groovy Plants Ranch
If it wasn't for Farm Bureau, I personally, along with many others, would not have had the opportunity to meet with our representatives face to face in Washington.
Austin Heil's avatar
Austin Heil

Hardin County Farm Bureau

Washington, D.C. Leadership Experience
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
Mary Smallsreed's avatar
Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
Suggested Tags: