Ag Forum

Ag Forum

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
Community leaders from across the Treasure Valley attending a joint Chamber of Commerce luncheon in Caldwell, listened closely to agricultural industry professionals discussing issues of concern in the dairy, cattle, wheat and energy sectors of Idaho agriculture. The health of agriculture is extremely important to both urban and rural communities across Idaho. The North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico is one issue of concern that Blaine Jacobson of the Idaho Wheat Commission, spoke to: “There are some statistics out there that show that on average an agricultural producer gets allowances under free trade agreements that a market share that go up about 10 points. We are fortunate to live in a country and a state where we can grow our food and our local population can consume. So free trade agreements like NAFTA,TPP and now Korean free trade agreements that are being discussed in Washington, all of those, all of those are important for wheat exports as well as all of agriculture.

 

And how important our wheat export opportunities? Clark Johnston, a grain marketer with Agrisource/JC Management: “Is there a glut on the world Market? Yeah there is. 5,000,000 bushels that needs to move.”

 

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