Trump brings farmers, ranchers ‘win’ during AFBF address
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPEAKS AT THE 101ST ANNUAL AMERICAN FARM BUREAU CONVENTION SUNDAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS. PHOTO BY AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION.
By CHUCK CANNON
Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation
AUSTIN, Texas – President Donald Trump spoke to a vocal gathering of farmers, ranchers and agriculture enthusiasts at the 101st American Farm Bureau Federation Convention and Trade Show Jan. 19 in Austin, Texas.
“We did it! We did it!” Trump said in referencing a new trade agreement with China. “We were stuck with one of the worst trade deals in history. They said we would never get a deal done with China. I’ve told everybody ‘you’re gonna get a lot of land and buy much bigger tractors.’”
Throughout his speech Trump highlighted what he referred to as “his” wins: Trade agreements with China, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and Canada that will open up more markets for American grown products, and relaxing or the recodification of government rules and regulations, such as the Waters of the United States rule.
The speech resonated with agriculture producers who have suffered through low commodity prices, natural disasters and regulations that have made it more difficult to sustain a viable farming operation.
Franklin Parish farmer Scott Wiggers said he thought the president did a great job addressing the issues farmers face, but that more work could be done.
“He (POTUS) always talks about bigger tractors and bigger farms, but what we really need are better prices, exports and demand to pick up,” Wiggers said. “That’s what we’re looking forward to.”
Wiggers said he was confident the new USMCA trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada, along with China Phase I, will increase prices and exports.
“But we need it to happen soon,” he said.
Jim Harper, a farmer from Cheneyville in Rapides Parish, said he enjoyed the president’s speech.
“He has really stood up for American agriculture,” Harper said. “We’re probably going to be selling China $40-$50 billion worth of agriculture goods a year. We’ve the WOTUS water bill rewritten which would have been a catastrophe for us if we had not done it. We’ve got a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico, and Japan and Korea.”
While much of what Trump spoke to was already known by farmers, Harper said it was still good to hear it from the president’s mouth.
“It’s very encouraging,” he said. “We’ve been the point of the spear on this China trade deal so we’re glad to see it come to fruition.”
Tom Ellender said he enjoyed listening to the president.
“What you see is what you get,” said Ellender, a farmer from Terrebonne Parish. “I was pretty much encouraged that he seems to be moving forward, and doesn’t really care what people think; he’s just doing what he thinks is right. With him it’s not a political thing.”
Amelia Kent, who raises beef and hay in East Feliciana Parish, listened to Trump’s speech and said farmers have faced a difficult two or three years, but seem to be making progress.
“The president has a stage presence,” she said. “He had a lot of ‘wins’ supporting him from last year to this year, especially this week. I think he was on point talking about the benefits those efforts will have for agriculture.”
Hannah DeVall, an LSU AgCenter 4-H agent who farms with her husband in St. Martin Parish, said she enjoyed seeing the president.
“It was a privilege to be in the presence of the president of the United States of America,” she said. “It was inspiring to see his support of the Farm Bureau.”