Perdue Faces Flurry of Farmer Concerns in Illinois

(DECATUR, IL) Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue heard an earful Wednesday while attending the 2019 Farm Progress Show. Concerns with trade disputes, tariffs, and demand destruction of ethanol through small refinery waivers under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RDS). The loudest voices seemed to echo concerns with USDA crop and acreage reports, where the latest National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) data seemed to overestimate acres of planted corn and underestimate prevented planted acres. Perdue said he also shared some of the concerns with NASS data but explained the importance of not “jaw-boning” the results. He also said at the end of the day, NASS numbers are fairly accurate when compared to final results so it’s important to not over-react but instead, allow the researchers an opportunity to convince him why their numbers are right. Perdue also said there was a concern with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to grant more small-refinery waivers even in the Oval Office. The Secretary encouraged farmers to hold on for an announcement personally from President Trump in regards to the RFS. Finally, in reaction to the recent Tyson packing plant fire in Southwest Kansas, he told the crowd that USDA would be opening an investigation into cattle markets to provide fair and transparent trade.