Sugar Producer

August/September 2020

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www.SugarProducer.com 9 170786HCLMac112.indd 1 11/30/17 8:42 AM for essential goods. We welcome this discussion because we carry large inventories and have strong supply chains that benefit our customers. We will find every way to share our story of this important American-made product and everything that goes into it. The USMCA agreement went into effect on July 1. We are closely monitoring the trade negotiations between the U.S. and the UK and between the U.S. and Kenya. We have been providing written input on numerous technical issues. We have been closely monitoring the attack on dicamba. This in another example of biotechnology opponents and class-action trial lawyers using the courts to attack essential pesticides. This demands our constant attention, and we are fully engaged with other commodity groups and pesticide manufacturers to address these problems. The congressional appropriations process was in full swing in July. Attacks on the sugar industry are always a concern. Funding the government and finishing another COVID-19 aid package was the primary focus prior to the August recess. We are also in the early stages of working on climate and sustainability legislation to provide carbon credits for improved agricultural practices. Washington, D.C., like the rest of the country, has had major protests over the thoughtless killing of George Floyd and countless other black Americans. A major rally is planned for August on the National Mall at the Lincoln Memorial to rival the 1963 March on Washington. We hope peaceful protests will force long- needed changes. If we are to remain a great nation, we need to come to grips with this problem. We must allow for self-reflection and commit to meaningful reform in order to become a better nation. It is incumbent on every citizen to contribute to the solution. The political environment and, by extension, campaigns, are in a constant state of flux. As we move through an unconventional primary season, we are gaining clarity into voters' options in November. Incumbents have largely made it through the primary season. Challenges to incumbents from within one's own party—either from the left, right or center—have mostly failed. There are plenty of open seats. Retirements, members running for other offices, and over 20 toss-up seats make predicting post-election results difficult. The House is expected to remain in the control of Democrats, and control of the Senate is now in question. The presidential election will be one of the most unique in history because of the pandemic, economy and racial tensions. These factors will complicate traditional campaigning and will drive voter turnout. Agriculture association CEOs have prepared a briefing document to explain to both campaigns the state of American agriculture. It identifies problems and recommends solutions to get agriculture healthy again. America's food and agriculture sectors are responsible for nearly one-fifth of U.S. economic activity, directly supporting 23 million jobs (around 15 percent of U.S. employment), and contributes $7 trillion in direct and indirect economic output. Farmers and their agribusiness partners are the economic backbone of our economy and are critically important politically. The ASGA played an important role in drafting the document for the betterment of all of agriculture. n • Quality Built for Over 25 Years • Increase Your Payment with Less Tare • Reduce Truck Turn-Around Time • Cart Options •Tires or Tracks •Right-Handed or Left-Handed Boom •Boom Width •Water Kit "Head and Shoulders above the rest." 1-800-ROW-CROP 1-800-769-2767 • www.hsmfginc.com H&S Sugarbeet Cart 20, 24, 30 & 35 Ton Your insurance policy for unforeseen harvest conditions. 2369-2H&SMfg16v.indd 1 1/7/19 3:31 PM

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