ranchers barely break even on their animals made it imperative that the
government step into the situation.
“We hope the investigation is very thorough and comes back with some
clear answers,” Good said. “If illegal things are going on, then they need
to be addressed. And if they aren’t, the cattle industry needs that answer
as well. We appreciate the fact that Trump is on board with taking a look at
the packing sector.”
2024 OUTLOOK
Moving forward, it’s a fair expectation that Trump will continue fulfilling
the promises he made back in 2016. As the old saying goes, things have
to get worse before they can get better. Many producers will agree that
things have gotten worse in some areas.
In late 2015, Sampson and his then fiancé purchased their current land.
They calculated future grain prices to ensure they could continue to afford
running their operation.
“We thought we had figured conservatively of what grain prices would
be over the next five years,” Sampson said. “Our most conservative grain
price is still above what we’re at today. It’s been very discouraging just
getting started and having low commodity prices. But if we had to go back
and do it again, we would.”
Luckily, both Sampson and his wife have off-farm jobs that help keep the
operation afloat in times like these.
“Trump has taken care of the farmer through all of this and we’ve seen
that through several different payments and loan options,” Sampson said.
“He hasn’t turned his back on the farmers through all this, he knows it has
affected the commodity market and he’s been doing his best to keep us
moving forward.”
Although U.S. farmers and ranchers recognize the large role
regulations play in their operation, they are still very much a do-ityourself
group of people. Finding new technology to improve yields
and the continuous search for improved sustainability are at the helm
of agriculture in 2020.
The U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef is just one example of how
producers forge their own paths when it comes to finding realistic
solutions for their issues.
“There are a lot of things the cattle sector has done already to help
themselves,” Good said. “But it’s important that we make sure the industry
comes up with solutions rather than trying to dictate regulatory answers
that aren’t necessarily fitting in the real world.”
Good’s statement goes for all areas of agriculture. Farmers and ranchers
do more than plow the ground and feed the animals, their moves are
calculated precisely to use their resources responsibly and efficiently to
feed, fuel, and clothe the world.
It is certainly a breath of fresh air that President Trump not only
recognizes the importance of including producers in finding solutions,
but also whole-heartedly embraces the idea.
“This is something I see in our current environment that we’re working on
that I would hate to lose,” Good added. “Moving to an administration that
doesn’t work with the industry to achieve good environmental outcomes
that allows business to operate would be taking a step backwards for the
agricultural industry.”
Unless the Democratic nominees include agriculture in their
campaign plans and build confidence that they will uphold them, it’s
safe to say Trump is the best candidate to keep America growing in
the right direction.
162 The TRUMP RALLY Publication