A tough growing season, complicated by retaliatory tariffs from China, isn’t helping Rock County farmers. U-W Extension Agriculture Agent Nick Baker says the big concern for local farmers is China is a big trade partner, particularly for corn and soybeans. Baker says when China doesn’t buy those products, prices suffer. He says current prices are close to break-even already, and unless there’s a change, some farmers will no longer be able to afford to operate. The perspective appears reinforced by a tariff roundtable held in Madison Monday. Wisconsin business and farm industry leaders released new data showing the negative impact of the current trade dispute.
