EVENTS
- Pascua Florida Day - April 2
- National Soybean Month
- Earth Month
- National Poetry Month
- National Financial Literacy Month
- National Autism Acceptance Month
TODAY’S RURAL RUNDOWN FROM RFD-TV NEWS:
TRUMP’S TRADE TARIFFS TAKE EFFECT TODAY
After months of delays, President Donald Trump will formally announce tariffs this afternoon (4 PM ET) in the Rose Garden. The instability is hitting the markets, with equities and agricultural commodities trading down this morning as well.
More than a dozen international trade partners, including Canada, Mexico, and China, which made up nearly 90 percent of U.S. imports last year, are set to be hit with reciprocal tariffs this week.
Major farm groups like the American Farm Bureau, National Farmers Union, and NASDA are making a last-minute pitch to urge President Trump to reconsider tariffs. However, the shrimp industry is praising the move, hoping tariffs will help save generational businesses and boost domestic supply.
SIDE-EYEING THE DOMESTIC SHIP-BUILDING PROPOSAL
Ag groups have also weighed in on President Trump’s plan to impose port call fees on Chinese-built ships. The goal is to incentivize domestic shipbuilding, but the meat and soybean industries tell the U.S. Trade Representative it’s not feasible and will hurt farmers.
However, farm leaders are calling on Congress to support infrastructure in other ways, underscoring the importance of maintaining rural roads for transporting food and connecting rural communities with urban centers.
Minnesota Farm Bureau President Dan Glessing spoke with RFD-TV’s Suzanne Alexander about their push on Market Day Report. Watch his full interview at the link below.
2025 FARM INCOME PROJECTIONS
A new analysis by the University of Illinois suggests 2025 will be another low-income year for many farms. But most farms will withstand financial deterioration because of income from other sources or because they’re currently in a strong financial position.
Key Takeaways:
- Corn prices lowered from $4.30 per bushel to $4.10
- Soybean prices lowered from $10.20 per bushel to $10.00
- ARC/PLC payments increased from $10 to $30 per acre
THE PUSH TO GET WHOLE MILK BACK IN SCHOOLS
Congress has prevented U.S. public schools from serving whole milk to students for over a decade. However, parents, doctors, and the dairy community are pushing back. Now, Congress is willing to listen, and the Senate Ag Committee held a hearing this week on bringing back whole milk in schools.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) joined us today on Market Day Report to discuss their effort and share insights on the support it’s receiving on Capitol Hill.
#PLANT25 UPDATE: FUEL PRICES TICK UPWARD
Planting season has arrived. Each day in April, we will spotlight the most crucial information for farmers and ranchers as they plant crops to feed the world.
Fuel could cost a little more this week as planters get rolling. Diesel has gained a cent since last week, holding around $3.55 nationwide. Gasoline prices are at $3.11 per gallon. GasBuddy says the gains are due to refinery issues, which could continue and send gas prices up another $0.10-$0.35 over the next few months.
