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Chinn: trade aid needed if market volatility continues

Missouri’s ag director says farmers and ranchers will be grateful for any trade aid that comes from the Trump administration if the tariff situation continues to affect prices.

Chris Chinn says while reciprocal tariffs have gotten the attention of some U.S. trading partners, the market volatility isn’t good for farmers and ranchers.

“It’s absolutely had an impact on any farmer who has been selling hogs, poultry, cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat, rice and cotton. You name it, our markets have taken a hit.”

Chinn says the hog market has been hit hard.

“We went from having 90 cent hogs to 85 cent hogs. It is a huge impact,” she says. “It makes a difference in the check farmers get from the packing facility. We’re holding on, hoping this will be short lived and we get trade negotiations beneficial for livestock and grain industries.”

She says some are trying to wait and sell until prices improve, but waiting isn’t always an option and it takes time to negotiate new trade deals.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says if farmers need compensation from USDA for trade losses, the president is committed to backing farmers and ranchers. However, no trade aid details have been announced.