Dec 16, 2020
JAMESTOWN – Mark Watne of Velva was re-elected to an eighth year as North Dakota Farmers Union president at the organization’s 94th annual state convention, broadcast virtually from Jamestown last Friday, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his message to delegates, Watne touched upon the resiliency of farmers and what they have learned from past experiences, farm bills and ag policies. He shared statistics that show the U.S. world market share of corn, soybeans and wheat is lower today than 20 years ago.
“We’re not really winning the trade war… and the lower prices are causing farmers worldwide to suffer,” he said. “Many ag economists and politicians continue to repeat the mythical idea that lower crop prices will increase trade. We have to rethink this process. Knowing what we know today should open the door to an agriculture future that is focused on diverse family farms and ranch operations with a fair and free market.”