Listen: Scott Hennen’s conversation with North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak.
WASHINGTON – North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak is among many lawmakers weighing in on the concern facing farmers, who continue looking at rising input and energy costs as grain prices are selling at a net loss.
Soybeans have been selling for $1.78 less per bushel than it costs to grow the crop, and some elevators are no longer accepting them because the price is so low.
Corn is selling at a $1.06 per bushel loss. That’s according to United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Director Tom Campbell.
Fedorchak says she’s working to increase markets for agriculture products.
“Increased ethanol, rear round E-15 [gasoline], which is something I’ve been talking to The White House about. The [Congressional] Biofuel Caucus, which I’m a co-chair of, we’re pushing the [Trump] administration and the Environmental Protection Agency on that issue,” Fedorchak told The Flag on Monday.
Successful Farming reports American soybean exports hit a 20-year low in August.
As President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on many countries in order to get better trade deals, foreign nations are shifting away from U.S. agriculture.
China has looked to other countries, such as Brazil, to buy soybeans. Tariffs are also impacting prices on fertilizer, equipment and machinery for American farmers.
Fedorchak has recently talked with Indian Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra about increasing farm exports to his country.
The Republican lawmaker has also spoken with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about getting trade deals done.
She has also talked with her staff and North Dakota legislators about a plan for the Bank of North Dakota to partner with local banks to bring down interest rates on agriculture loans in the state.
“If we can put it to use to the benefit of our farmers in a way that reduces one of their biggest costs, I think that’s definitely worth exploring,” Fedorchak explained.
