#apennywontcutit

Trade Aid: Comment Today

Last Friday’s announcement that the Trump Administration is increasing the tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, and China’s retaliatory tariffs, could not have come at a worse time for corn farmers, bringing more uncertainty to markets and impacting commodity prices.

The Kansas Corn Growers Association asks YOU to comment today!

In an effort to ease this impact, the Administration is now pursuing a second round of trade assistance for agriculture with the intent of making an announcement in the next few days. As you’ll recall, the previous Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payment rate for corn farmers was just one cent per bushel.

A penny didn’t cut it then and won’t cut it now.

On top of trade disputes and tariffs, EPA granting RFS waivers to oil refiners, devastating weather conditions, stagnant farm incomes, and crumbling infrastructure have all created a perfect storm for agriculture.

Please take action today and tell the President that one penny won’t provide the market certainty that farmers need to stay afloat during these challenging times.

Send an email and call President Trump at: 202-456-1111 and tell him:

• Corn farmers like myself are facing difficult times. Trade disputes and tariffs, demand destruction in the ethanol market, devastating weather conditions, stagnant farm incomes, and crumbling infrastructure have combined to create a perfect storm for agriculture.
• I appreciate your intent to take action to make up for potential agriculture losses due, in part, to the most recent tariff increases and prolonged trade dispute with China.
• I strongly urge you to carefully consider what this potential relief effort will mean for corn farmers. Last year’s Market Facilitation Program (MFP) set the payment rate for corn farmers at just one cent per bushel, despite the fact that analysis showed trade disruptions had cost of at least $0.44/ bushel, a $6.3 billion loss to corn farmers. And that impact has very likely worsened this year.
• Mr. President, a penny didn’t cut it then and won’t cut it now.
• This spring’s wet weather has kept farmers out of the field, leaving only 30 percent of this year’s crop planted. Now, more than ever, farmers need market certainty to stay afloat during these tough times.
• It will take more than a penny per bushel trade assistance package to help corn farmers. Resolving trade disputes and tariffs, stopping RFS waivers and restoring waived ethanol gallons, and approving year-round sales of E15 without strings attached are actions you can take today that will have a positive impact on the rural economy.