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NAFTA needed to maintain wheat market

 

A farm leader with the National Association of Wheat Growers is concerned about the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Dave Milligan farms near Cass City in Michigan’s Thumb and serves as the National Association of Wheat Growers Secretary. He tells Brownfield nearly half of wheat in the U.S. is exported and with increasing competition for other countries, it’s difficult to remain competitive.

“There’s no question wheat prices are low and we’re facing worldwide competition—everybody grows wheat.”

He says more wheat is exported to Mexico than other country making the North American Free Trade Agreement imperative for maintaining wheat markets.  “We’ve developed that market under NAFTA.  Before NAFTA existed we didn’t have a wheat market in Mexico.”

Milligan adds research to improve wheat quality and yields as well as a strong safety net in the 2018 Farm Bill are also top concerns of wheat growers.

Milligan spoke with Brownfield during the Great Lakes Crop Summit in Mt. Pleasant Michigan.

AUDIO: Interview with Dave Milligan