DeKALB – As global trade tensions continue, the DeKalb County Farm Bureau and local farmers are concerned tariffs could disrupt the local agricultural economy, putting main crops like corn and soybeans at risk.
Berkeley Boehne, president of the DeKalb County Farm Bureau, and Norm Larson, tillage systems manager of Larson Farms, expressed concern regarding trade relationships, especially with Mexico and Canada.
Larson’s family began farming in 1979. Larson Farms is located in Maple Park, Illinois, and produces corn, soybeans, wheat and is also involved in cattle feeding.
For farmers like Larson, trade disputes are not totally unfamiliar.
“I’m old enough to remember back with the embargo that Carter put on in 1980, that one really hurt,” Larson said. “That was against Russia at that time.”
The total value of agricultural production in DeKalb County is $551.4 million, according to the DeKalb County Farm Bureau.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods, and a 145% tariff on Chinese goods. China retaliated by placing a 125% on U.S goods.
“We are not a fan of blanket tariffs. We are very concerned about the relationship with Mexico and Canada,” Boehne said. “A tremendous amount of corn from the Midwest goes to Mexico.”
Illinois is the third largest exporter of agricultural products in the country with $8.2 billion worth of goods shipped to other countries. In 2023 Illinois exported $4.5 million of soybeans and $2.1 million of corn.
About 353,524 acres in DeKalb County is farmland, which is about 88% of all the land in the county.
Corn is grown on 182,500 acres of farmland in DeKalb County, and soybeans are grown on 131,000 acres. In 2022, the U.S Department of Agriculture reported there were 807 farms in the county.
While soybeans and corn exports remain a local concern, the demand for beef has increased, according to Larson.
“There’s a big desire for protein now. The drugs people are using to lose weight, they need protein, and beef is one of the best sources,” Larson said.
The Chicago Federal Reserve’s April report said farm contacts reported livestock operations were in better financial shape than crop operations.
Larson noted that former U.S. trade allies are beginning to look elsewhere for products because of the new tariffs.
“China’s not stupid… they’ve already built relationships with Brazil and Argentina. It’s a loss of markets for us (farmers) in the long term,” Larson said.
In the first Trump administration, a similar trade dispute with China resulted in $16 billion in aid being sent to farmers.
The uncertainty surrounding tariffs has made it difficult for farmers around the country to plan ahead.
In response, the Farm Bureau is calling for federal leadership to take action in two ways: Passing an updated Farm Bill and pursuing new international trade agreements.
The farm bill, or Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, reauthorized and amended Department of Agriculture programs affecting areas such as rural development, trade and crop insurance, among other things.
“We’ve just been getting extensions after extensions to maintain the crops or the Farm Bill. Only 2% of the Farm Bill affects agriculture. As farmers, we don’t want government handouts and bailouts. We want a secure safety net for crop insurance,” Boehne said.
Boehne also noted a recent meeting with the new Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, who shared plans to launch an international trade mission to build relationships and open new markets.
“Her vision involves going on an international trade mission in the short term and making new trade partners. We never got any new trade talk in the last four years until now,” Boehne said.
While new trade efforts could bring positivity in the long run, local farmers are still faced with financial stresses.
“As farmers, we probably broke even or lost $50 to $100 an acre, depending on each operation. We’re going to do the best job out there, but at the end of the day, Mother Nature controls 70%,” Bohene said.
In an attempt to stay environmentally focused and support agriculture, Larson described what they are doing on Larson Farms to stay efficient.
“We’re doing less tillage, something called strip till, where we inject fertilizer right under the row. That’s been a big change,” Larson said.
Boehne also shared that local consumers can play a role in supporting agriculture. Buying locally, educating youth about farming and telling stories about local farmers can make an impact.
“We have to keep educating our youth. That’s our farm bureau’s mission: To educate youth. It’s lifelong legacies that keep supporting DeKalb County agriculture,” Boehne said.
