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Farmer says trade gets the headlines, but there are many headwinds

A southeast Minnesota farmer says the trade war with China isn’t the only headwind for prices.

Les Anderson grows corn and soybeans near Cannon Falls.

“The value of our dollar is not helping us either with the economy doing so well, that hurts us. And this African swine fever thing is another deal that’s going to have an impact. I think people like to blame the trade a lot, but I think things weren’t looking too good before the trade (issues) came along either.”

He points out commodity prices have trended lower the last five years, thanks in large part to huge supplies.

“Trade is a part of it, but certainly there are other factors involved too. It’s easy to pick on the trade end of it, that gets all the attention, but they could fix the trade tomorrow and it might not effect prices that much, short-term at least.”

Anderson tells Brownfield his bottom line has also been weakened by higher healthcare costs and property taxes.