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Report details impact of tariffs, trade uncertainties on Nebraska ag exports

A new report from Nebraska Farm Bureau details how tariffs and other trade uncertainties have impacted the state’s ag exports.

Farm Bureau senior economist Jay Rempe says the losses run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

“As this report demonstrates, things that happen at the international level directly impact the bottom line of our producers and affect the economics of our communities and our counties,” Rempe says. “And, unfortunately, I think it shows that we could continue to see an additional downward slide on some of these things.

“I think we’re in better shape than we were in the mid-80’s and some of the other farm crisis times that we’ve seen. But it will continue to put undue pressure on our ag community as we continue this.”

Farm Bureau president Steve Nelson says he’s heard the chatter about whether another round of Market Facilitation Program payments is needed to help farmers with trade-related losses. But Nelson says a resolution of the trade issues is much preferred over additional government aid.

“Because we know that in the end those programs, while helpful, do not offset all of the losses. We certainly would rather get those trade deals done,” Nelson says.

The report, entitled “Nebraska Agriculture and International Trade” is available on the Nebraska Farm Bureau website.