A majority of farmers and farmworkers say financial issues, farm or business problems and fear of losing the farm impact farmers’ mental health. Other factors included stress, weather, the economy, isolation and social stigma, according to a new national poll by Morning Consult commissioned by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Polling found that many rural adults have either personally sought care or have a family member who has sought care for a mental health condition. Three in four rural adults, 75 percent said it’s important to reduce the stigma about mental health in the agriculture community, while two in three farmers and farmworkers, 66 percent, said the same.

Large majorities of rural Americans polled agreed that cost, social stigma and embarrassment would make it harder for them to seek help or treatment for mental health conditions. In response to the results, AFBF President Zippy Duvall said, “we can and must do more to address farmer stress and mental health issues in rural America.”

Optimism is growing that the U.S. and China could wrap up a trade agreement this month. Trade officials from the U.S. and China concluded talks in Beijing Wednesday with another critical round scheduled for next week in the United States. But the Trump administration has appeared to be ready to walk away if an agreement isn’t reached soon.

However, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Twitter that he and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer have concluded “productive meetings” this week. The South China Morning Post reports that the U.S. has dropped the demand that China halts alleged instances of commercial cyber theft, to bring an end to the long-running tariff dispute.

A deal at this point between the U.S. and China is expected in Mid-May, with a possible signing of the agreement planned for June. However, an agreement doesn’t mean an end to tariffs. The U.S. is planning on keeping some tariffs on China, and China will likely keep retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, according to a Chinese trade expert.

Lawmakers in Mexico this week took a step towards implementing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Mexico’s Senate approved a bill that overhauls the country’s labor code. The move was a pre-condition for U.S. Democrats in the House of Representatives for considering the agreement.

Bloomberg News reports Mexican lawmakers raced to pass the bill before the end of their session Tuesday to allow their counterparts in the U.S. to take up discussion of the trade deal. Mexico’s Senate voted 120-0 in favor of the bill that was previously passed by the nation’s lower chamber. The bill gives workers the right to vote on unions and labor contracts through secret ballots.

However, to complete USMCA, other conditions remain, including the desired removal of section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Canada has hinted that the nation may not approve USMCA until the tariffs are removed. U.S. lawmakers are expected to consider the trade agreement later this year.

The Trump administration this week signaled a willingness to provide more trade aid to farmers if needed. However, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the claims are untrue. While in Iowa, Perdue stated, “I’m afraid that’s not accurate,” adding it could be miscommunication, as reported by the Des Moines Register.

White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters Monday that the Trump Administration has allocated $12 billion for farmers, and that they “stand ready to do more if necessary.” Perdue has repeatedly ruled out any new trade aid for 2019. The Department of Agriculture this week extended the deadline to certify acres under the Market Facilitation Program to May 17.

The program has already paid producers more than $8 billion for losses that occurred in 2018 as a result of retaliatory tariffs from China. Perdue says the President has not discussed any further trade aid for farmers with him. Talks with China could conclude within the next two weeks, and a possible agreement may be signed in June.

(MODA) Representatives of United States Department of Agriculture and State of Missouri agencies will participate in public meetings May 2 and May 3 in northwestern Missouri to explain various types of flood-recovery assistance available to landowners and units of government.

Dates & Locations

Rock Port, (Atchison County, MO)
Thursday, May 2
1:30 p.m. until 4:15 p.m.
Velma Houts Fair Building, 201 E U.S. Highway 136

Forest City (Holt County, MO)
Friday, May 3
9:00 a.m. until 11:45 a.m.
Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge, 25542 U.S. Highway 159

Topics & Participating Agencies

Farm Service Agency Assistance Programs
Natural Resources Conservation Service Assistance Programs
Risk Management Agency
Rural Development Assistance Programs
Missouri Department of Agriculture
Missouri Department of Natural Resources
University of Missouri Extension

In comments submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Renewable Fuels Association Monday said it “strongly supports” the year-round E15 proposal. The proposal would extend the Reid Vapor Pressure waiver for fuels blended with 15 percent ethanol year-round. The waiver currently applies to E10 only during the summer months.

According to RFA, the EPA proposal would allow year-round sales of E15 in conventional gasoline markets for the first time, opening the marketplace more broadly to a fuel that provides consumers higher octane, lower cost, and reduced tailpipe emissions. RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper says, “President Trump was correct when he called the summertime prohibition on E15 unnecessary and ridiculous.”

However, just 32 days remain before the start of the summer driving season. Cooper says to honor the President’s commitment, EPA must act quickly to complete the rule. RFA’s comments also discouraged EPA from finalizing any of the four proposed Renewable Identification Number market reforms. RFA is concerned that changes may be counterproductive, undermine the efficient operation of the RIN market mechanism.

President Donald Trump promises agriculture will be a focal point in trade talks with Japan. Farmers are hoping a deal with Japan will make up for lost market access after the U.S. withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Japan and TPP-member countries have signed a new agreement now in place, giving other nations reduced tariffs and improved access to Japan, resulting in a decline of U.S. products flowing to Japan.

Before meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last week, Trump stated the two would be “discussing very strongly agriculture,” according to Politico. Japan will be seeking market access in return, which could include growing markets for its specialty agricultural products.

The U.S. and Japan earlier this month agreed to accelerated trade talks in hopes of reaching a speedy deal by focusing on agriculture automobile trade. The benefits seen in a new trade deal with Japan are likely to be similar to those agriculture welcomed during the TPP negotiating process.