?Trade is, in part, what drives demand and sustains markets for much of what we produce across the country,? stated Chairman Jim Costa (D-CA 16th District) before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
Committee members convened Tuesday for “U.S. Agricultural Trade: Stakeholders Perspective.” Five witnesses spoke to “trade’s impact throughout the breadth and width of American agriculture.”
An Iowa soybean farmer delivered an emotional testimony, which provided a ?good, accurate reflection of the pain and suffering American farmers, ranchers, and dairymen have had in recent years, for a combination of reasons.?
Robb Ewoldt, of Davenport, IA, raises alfalfa, cattle, corn, hogs, and soybeans. Ewoldt admits: “Times are tough right now.”
?As a farmer, you accept unknowns. It?s the way of life,? Ewoldt said. ?Weather, input costs, Mississippi River levels, and volatile market prices are just a few variables we deal with.?
“Trade is important,” according to Ewoldt. United States exporters ship large amounts of soybeans each year. Market disruptions, however, greatly diminished U.S. exports, putting America’s farmers, ranchers, and dairymen in tough situations.
?I rent all of our ground. I do not own any land. What equity I have is in equipment, which depreciates fast. When you don?t make money and have to pay back an operating note, it?s difficult. We went backwards about $100,000 in (20)18. In (20)19, due to trade and weather issues, we went backwards again. I sit before you still waiting to see if I get operating money for 2020,” Ewoldt said.
However, Ewoldt refuses to “throw in the towel.”
“I drive truck at night now. If I’m going to be awake, worrying about how I pay my bills, I might as well be awake doing something to pay my bills,” Ewoldt said.
Ewoldt believes great trade opportunities exist. He shares Iowa Soybean Association leaders are looking to expand into new regions, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and northern Africa. Ewoldt then asked Committee members for their support in helping move U.S. agricultural products.
