Ag’s place in the State of the Union

Feb 05, 2020

President Trump mentioned farmers when speaking about the USMCA

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Farmers were a small part of President Trump’s third State of the Union address on Tuesday.

Speaking before a joint session of Congress, the president outlined what his administration has done to improve life for Americans.

His message demonstrated “how we are building the world’s most prosperous and inclusive society – one where every citizen can join in America’s unparalleled success and where every community can take part in America’s extraordinary rise,” he said.

President Trump mentioned farmers directly when speaking about new trade agreements.

Highlighting the renegotiated USMCA with Canada and Mexico, the president noted the deal would create almost 100,000 jobs “and massively boost exports for our farmers, ranchers, and factory workers,” he said.

The president did mention the new trade agreement with China but didn’t speak to the Market Facilitation Program payments farmers received during the trade war between the two nations.

Trump made one reference to rural America as a whole when discussing rebuilding the country’s infrastructure.

“I’m also committed to ensuring that every citizen can have access to high-speed Internet, including and especially in rural America,” he said.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue thanked President Trump for his work and is optimistic about what the future holds for U.S. farmers.

“The president has rural America and agriculture close to his heart and has kept his promises when it comes to striking stronger trade agreements, eliminating burdensome regulations, strengthening the economy for all Americans, and making our country strong again,” he said in a statement Tuesday. “The great American comeback that he has been laying the groundwork for is in full force, and the best is yet to come.”

Multiple farmers attended the State of the Union as lawmakers are allowed to invite one or more guests to the address.

Les Danielson, a grain and dairy farmer from Cadott, Wis. and member of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, went as a guest of Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

David Fisher, a dairy farmer and president of the New York Farm Bureau, attended as a guest of Rep. Elise Stefanik.

And Jennifer Lewis, dairy farmer from Hillsdale County, Mich., was Rep. Tim Walberg’s guest.

Farms.com has reached out to the farmers in attendance for comment.

Patrick Semansky/AP Images photo

President Trump mentions farmers around the 17:20 mark of the video.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.