(WASHINGTON D.C.) — Multiple agricultural groups on Wednesday issued their congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump on being re-elected to the White House for a second, non-consecutive term. And now that there is certainty on who will be in the Oval Office, and in many Congressional seats as well, many groups are also looking ahead to immediate priorities to work on such as a Farm Bill, ag labor and much more.
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall pointed to the need for a new Farm Bill in his statement congratulating the new President-elect. “Among the most pressing issues in rural America is the need for a new, modernized farm bill,” Duvall said. “The two-year delay is unacceptable. The new administration must also address the impending tax hikes, which would crush many of America’s farmers and ranchers when stacked on top of inflation, high supply costs and market instability.”
“On behalf of corn growers across the country, I want to congratulate President-Elect Donald J. Trump on his victory in Tuesday’s election,” says Kenneth Hartman Jr., National Corn Growers Association President. “We look forward to working with the new administration and members of Congress to advance policy that is important to corn farmers. We especially appreciate President Trump’s recognition that homegrown fuels, like ethanol, are important for our nation’s energy security and rural economies. We are also eager to work with his administration and Congress to enact improved farm policies and programs, expand market opportunities and build on the tax policies enacted during President Trump’s first term that are beneficial to corn farmers as they face a challenging financial outlook with low prices and high costs.”
National Association of Wheat Growers President Keeff Felty, in a statement, said “Congratulations to President-elect Trump and the incoming members of the 119th Congress. American agriculture faces many challenges, and we look forward to working with the House and Senate leadership and the new Senate Agriculture Committee Chair and Ranking Member in a bipartisan manner to support our farmers.”
Felty added however that “there is work yet to be done this year. Wheat growers are seeking action during the lame duck to enact a farm bill and economic assistance by the end of the year that supports growers as we continue to face increased input costs, depressed prices, and weather-related disasters. It is critical that we continue to advance those policy initiatives immediately and work with everyone in the 119th Congress to foster public policy initiatives that help our farmers and rural communities thrive.”
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane pointed to their excitement to work with the President-elect to “undo harm which cattle producers have endured under four years of “Bidenomics” and restore the free-market principles which have made U.S. cattle and beef the finest and safest in the world.”
Issues ranging from a new Farm Bill to regulations, labor challenges, tax policy and much more are things on the mind of folks in agriculture. That includes biofuel related policy as well. Both Growth Energy and Renewable Fuels Association say they look forward to finding a solution to year-round E15 availability nationwide.
“We look forward to working with the Trump-Vance administration to deliver on American energy dominance, consumer savings, and booming rural economies – starting with year-round access to E15,” says Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “During his first term, President Trump delivered on E15 to bring lower cost fuel to American consumers, and we support him enacting a permanent solution that will deliver continued savings at the pump for all Americans, all months, across all 50 states.”
“On behalf of our nation’s ethanol industry, we congratulate Donald Trump on his election as our next President,” says RFA President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “We share his vision for putting American energy first, stimulating growth in domestic production, lowering fuel costs for consumers, and restoring balance and fairness in the global trade of energy commodities. We look forward to working with his administration in the years ahead to strengthen and expand the market for renewable fuels like ethanol.”
Unlocking the potential of natural resources in the U.S. was a point made as well by the Public Lands Council in their congratulatory statement to the new President-elect. “We congratulate President Donald Trump on his victory and stand ready to renew our work with him to cut government red tape and unleash the full potential of our nation’s natural resources. It is no secret that livestock production on public lands has long been targeted by an over-involved bureaucracy that has hindered ranchers’ work to conserve lands, while raising the best food and fiber in the world,” said PLC President and Colorado rancher Tim Canterbury.
Many groups did not address the potential of new tariffs by a incoming Trump administration nor the talk of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. having a role in overhauling American health and agriculture standards, including pesticide use and more.
