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Trump discusses agriculture in Iowa speech

President Donald Trump discussed agriculture during a stop in Cedar Rapids, Iowa Wednesday night.

In a 20-minute speech before a crowd of about 250 people at Kirkwood Community College, Trump touched on several ag-related topics.

“Family farms are the backbone of America and my administration will always support the farmer.”

“We will protect the corn-based ethanol and biofuels that power our country.”

“I will be including a provision in our infrastructure proposal to promote and enhance broadband access for rural America also.”

“We will rebuild rural America.”

Bob Hemesath of Decorah, Iowa, chairman of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, said he was glad to hear Trump reaffirm his commitment to ethanol and the importance of ag trade.

“He also reaffirmed this commitment to infrastructure and spending dollars there,” Hemesath said. “I was hoping he would mention waterways, or locks and dams, but he didn’t. That’s just one of the things I was looking for. Overall, I was happy with what I heard.”

Scott McGregor is a cattleman of Nashua, Iowa who serves on the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

“It was exciting to hear him say right off the top that beef is back in China,” McGregor said. “That’s a major hurdle we’ve been trying to jump over for the last few years.”

Trump also recognized his new ambassador to China, former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad.

“Ambassador Branstad will be fighting for American farmers and for American workers and for Americans, and there’s nobody I can think of that can do a better job or more effective job,” Trump said.

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross were also on hand for the event.

AUDIO: President Trump’s ag speech in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

 

AUDIO: Bob Hemesath

 

AUDIO: Scott McGregor