Tester Meets Ag and Transport Leaders in Billings

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester was in Billings Thursday for a meeting with agriculture and transportation leaders. Q2 reports farm and ranch leaders told Tester– the only farmer in the U.S. Senate– their markets are down and the uncertainty of the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs will continue to put pressure on their industries. U. S. Cattleman Association member Chris Skorupa said they’ve seen a 60 percent drop in prices in the past two years. Michelle Erickson-Jones with Montana Grain Growers said they’ve seen a market drop in malt barley and other grains, and she’s concerned about companies investing in projects in the United States instead of taking them out of the country. Shane Strecker with the American Sugar Beets Association said farmers used to have another option for income, but in today’s market, that’s not there.