Ag Outlook 9-15-2020

The August derecho that leveled corn and soybean fields across prime Midwest growing regions continues to have ramifications long after the initial clean-up is complete. Both Iowa U.S. senators are requesting the Commerce Department lift Section 232 tariffs on steel. They said such a move by Secretary Wilbur Ross would help farmers in the process of rebuilding grain bins and machine sheds since, they claim, opportunists are offering high estimates for steel needed for the projects. Senators Grassley and Ernst in their letter say many farmers have told them that this would result in hundreds of millions of dollars in added expense to their operations.