Sugar Producer

20 Sugar Producer JANUARY 2020 FROM THE ASGA Luther Markwart | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Big Plans A lot could change in Washington and for growers across the country in 2020. The industry will be ready. As we usher in a new year, there is a long list of important issues that require our attention. At the top of that list is getting sugar growers back on their feet. Strong production and a good 2020 harvest are critical to rebuilding depleted stocks resulting from 2019's short crop. Given the disaster experienced last fall, we must work with the USDA to ensure the market is balanced and not oversupplied. In addition to volume, we must balance the types of sugar imported and the timeline for its arrival. Mexican imports are expected to fill the shortfall and meet customer demands in a timely fashion. The ASGA is meeting with members of Congress to underscore that major disruptions in domestic production will not disrupt deliveries—in short, that the program works as intended. A new year requires that we renew our anti-dumping and countervailing duties under the suspension agreements with Mexico. They are reviewed and renewed every five years. We must demonstrate that absent these provisions, the industry would be injured by imported Mexican sugar. This requires data-gathering and corresponding legal work across the industry. The 2017 amended suspension agreements have worked effectively and should be extended for another five years. The industry will work throughout the year to make sure we are successful in this. New trade agreements could increase agricultural exports and help lift prices from their current lows. The ASGA, along with almost every other agriculture organization in Washington, is constantly advocating for passage of USMCA. We are also working closely with the White House as they attempt "Phase 1" deals with Japan and China. In 2020, we will continue to advocate for additional agricultural trade in new markets, while at the same time guarding against additional sugar access to our market. How long all of this will take is uncertain, and we should not rule out a Market Facilitation Program payment in 2020. Stay tuned! Election years are never productive for congressional legislating. However, election years are productive for campaigns. At the time of writing, there are 37 current members of Congress who have announced their retirement, resigned, are running for another office, P r o c e s s e q u i p m e n t a n d m a c h i n e s t h a t h a v e e v o l v e d f r o m 1 4 0 + y e a r s i n t h e s u g a r i n d u s t r y a l l o w i n g f a r m e r s t o c l e a n , d e - s t o n e , a n d c h i p s u g a r b e e t s o r r o o t v e g e t a b l e s f o r a n i m a l f e e d . The Putsch® Beetmaster Outstanding washing and stone removal capabili�es The Putsch® Chipmaster Adaptable and compa�ble with many pay loaders. Processes a wide variety of root vegetables. E X P E R T I S E R E L I A B I L I T Y S E R V I C E EXCELLENCE Ashev ille, NC 28813 | p: 828 -684-0671 | c ell: 828 -279-1191 inf o @putsc h usa.c o m w w w .putsc h usa.c o m German - Born American - Raised E X P E R I E N C E 2368-1PutschCompany13h.indd 1 12/20/18 2:24 PM Every member of Congress elected in 2020 could vote on the next farm bill. Candidates must be educated on the importance of the U.S. sugar program and the farm safety net.

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