LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China are weighing on Nebraska farmers and ranchers. This has led the Nebraska Farm Bureau to urge the state\u2019s congressional delegation to approve a comprehensive aid package.<\/p>\n
One of the state\u2019s producers feeling the ripple effect of the conflict is fifth-generation farmer, Tom Mueller. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the immediate, the immediate kind of hurt,\u201d Mueller said. \u201cHarvest for us, it\u2019s us trying to move grain if there\u2019s not an outlet where we can move grain through the system, that backlogs it to a certain extent.\u201d <\/p>\n
While Mueller is feeling the impact, he said he has been feeling the stress of the industry for the last two years in regard to commodity prices and the cost of upkeep. <\/p>\n
The trade war is not the only thing providing a challenge, the government shutdown has prevented the Nebraska Farm Bureau and farmers from receiving weekly crop reports.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some reports that normally come out that tell us harvest progress, what the yields are out there,\u201d said Mark McHargue, the president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau. \u201cThose reports tend to influence the market. We\u2019re not very confident on really what\u2019s going on as far as actual volume of acres being harvested and what the yield is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, the Nebraska Farm Bureau is asking for help for farmers like Mueller, who said he would greatly appreciate the support. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt helps us fulfill some of our immediate obligations,\u201d he said. \u201cThe money is not going to sit in our account very long. It\u2019s going to funnel right through to all the bills that we have.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Nebraska Farm Bureau is requesting the following in the aid package:<\/p>\n
Fair and enforceable trade agreements that open markets and ensure reciprocal access for U.S. productsPolicy support for biofuels, including year-round sales of E15 and other renewable fuelsRestoration of whole milk in schools, giving children access to nutritious U.S. dairy productsProtection of interstate commerce by opposing and challenging current and future state laws that undermine market consistency, competition, and transparencyInvestigation into pricing structures for major agricultural inputs to address market imbalances that artificially inflate production costs beyond normal market fluctuations, paired with stronger enforcement of laws and regulations that ensure transparency and fairness in agricultural marketsPrioritization of American-grown fruits and vegetables in federal and institutional purchasing programs<\/p>\n
While Mueller said worry is a natural part of the profession, he is confident the state\u2019s leaders will come up with resolutions. McHargue agrees. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe next couple of years as we are working out these trade agreements, I think it\u2019s going to be good for Nebraska and our trade,\u201d McHargue said. \u201cBut working through it right now, it\u2019s tough.\u201d<\/p>\n
10\/11 News reached out to Sen. Deb Fisher\u2019s office for a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnsuring Nebraska\u2019s ag producers can weather tough economic times must be a national priority. It is clear farm aid is needed at this time; however, we need long-term solutions. This means Congress must advance my legislation to unlock year-round E15, which would expand the market access ag producers desperately need. I will continue to work with my colleagues and this administration to ensure that our farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to be successful,\u201d Sen. Fischer said.<\/p>\n
We are waiting to hear back from Sen. Pete Ricketts and Sen. Mike Flood.<\/p>\n
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