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Tester: We’re losing people right and left

U.S. Senator Jon Tester says financial difficulty could put a lot of farmers out of business. The Montana Democrat addressed U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the USDA budget.

“Rural America’s under attack, you know that,” Tester told Secretary Perdue. “We’re losing people right and left; we lost them in the ‘80s. I think we’re on the cusp of losing a whole bunch again.”

Part of the reason for the economic turmoil on the farm is the disruption in trade because of the U.S. not able to come to agreements with trading partners, said Tester.

“There’s so much uncertainty going on right now,” he said, “and with the tariffs both directions, John Deere announced an increase in their equipment costs, fuel prices are trending up, this is a recipe for disaster in rural America and it is man-made.”

Tester also asked Secretary Perdue that action be taken to pave the way for hemp production to proceed as an alternative crop.