Soybean farmers struggle while trade war continues between US and China

THORNTOWN, Ind. – As trade tensions continue between the U.S. and China, local farmers are taking a toll.

With acres and acres of soybeans, farms like Lawson Land and Cattle Company are not exporting any of it to China this harvest season.

Farmer Donnie Lawson is having to rethink his expenses for fertilizer and new equipment this month.

”It’s not only your gross income, but it’s your net income,” he said.

China hasn’t placed any new orders from Indiana or any other U.S. states in recent weeks.

“It really doesn’t come as any surprise that China’s doing this,” said one of the four directors of the United Soybean Board, Tom Griffiths.

“Any country that has an issue with the United States, the first thing they usually attack is agricultural commodities.”

Griffiths said this not only hurts the farmers, but the economy as a whole.

”That means that anybody involved in the automotive industry, technology field, anybody who’s built wiring, harnesses, trucking, all these industries will suffer because of it,” he said.

His board has been working to weaken its dependence on China, as they’ve predicted this for several years.

Now, other countries are starting to become large purchasers instead.

“You look at all the other different countries, whether it’s Japan and all those that want our products,” said Lawson.

Lawson is thankful to have a diverse set of crops to help stay afloat while the soybean industry takes a hit, and is hopeful that next season will be different.

“I’m probably certain that the Trump administration will do something to offset the losses we’re going to suffer this fall,” said Griffiths. “It’s going to be needed and welcome, but again, we would prefer to just have those open markets.”