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Farm Bureau says finish a trade deal Mr. President

The head of the American Farm Bureau says a perfect storm in agriculture is brewing and farmers better buckle up for the ride.

American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall tells Brownfield he has a message for President Trump: farmers need a trade deal done now.  “When it comes to trade, we need for you to get a deal done.  We have to have foreign trade, so we can continue to grow our agricultural industry and keep our communities healthy.”

He says while farmers still support the administration, if a trade deal isn’t reached soon, they might take their support elsewhere.  “We’re having to deal with the reaction in the market because of the tariffs, we’re also having to fight through a farm bill and there’s no guarantees, then the farm economy is really bad.”

Duvall believes Mexico could come to a trade agreement with U.S. within the next 60 days, but the back and forth with China could take years and potentially kill some ag sectors like soybeans and pork.

Fifteen state Farm Bureaus are in Michigan this week, including Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa, to discuss pressing commodity issues and policy.

AUDIO: Press interview with Zippy Duvall

AUDIO: Zippy Duvall’s address during the Joint National Commodity Conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan