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Dairy leader pleased USMCA is signed

A dairy cooperative leader is encouraged by the signing of the USMCA trade agreement.  Edge Dairy Farmers Cooperative President Brody Stapel says getting USMCA across the finish line was vital. “If we want stability economically, if we want a stable dairy environment in this state and throughout the midwest, we have to start knocking out some of these individual trade deals and I think that you’ll see some long-term stability moving forward.”

Stapel tells Brownfield the changes made by USMCA over the old NAFTA agreement were needed. “The last one was modified when I was eight years old, so we’re excited to see this one come across and get modernized, and kind of take into account where technology has brought us, and I look forward to getting some things taken care of in Mexico as far as getting rid of some of the tariffs, as well as clearing up the issue that we’ve had with Canadian class six and seven pricing. I think there’s exciting times ahead for the dairy industry.”

Stapel says there might also be some positive dairy price movement now that the U.S. has signed the agreement. “As a dairy farmer, we’re at the mercy of the CME (Chicago Mercantile Exchange) and how it trades from day to day, but we could definitely see a shot in the arm today or over the course of the next week as we saw when they signed the China deal.”

Edge board member Amy Penterman attended the White House USMCA signing ceremony Wednesday morning.