After the United States Department of Agriculture’s release of the bridge payment, feelings are mixed for soybean farmers in Indiana. The prices given for soybeans were some of the lowest on the sheet.
Denise Scarborough, American Soybean Association Director shared, “They were disappointing on the soybean side. We’ve had some of the hardest hits to the soybean products with the tariffs and with China and what we’ve had going on over there trying to ship product internationally.”
The purpose of the bridge payment is to allow farmers to safely make it from year to year. Right now, this year’s amount was not enough.
“We’re one of the only industries that buys retail and sells wholesale so we don’t have any control over those prices for inputs and then what were selling our grain for. Anything we go to, we don’t want the aid.” mentioned Scarborough.
Farmers want free trade and the chance to sell commodities on the open market. In addition, Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) has come out more favorable for soybean growers after suspected issues.
“It wasn’t as beneficial for soy oil but the rest of the soybean product and what we have in the food industry came out very favorable for the soy industry. We’ve had lots of challenges with MAHA since it came out.” stated Scarborough.
Scarborough and the American Soybean Association continue to work with governmental officials in Washington DC to prove that soybeans are heart healthy and good to have in the food industry.
