The U.S. China “Phase 1” trade agreement, small refinery waivers, water quality, and floods were all discussed at a “Row Crop Farmer Roundtable” with Senator Joni Ernst (R) in Guthrie Center Saturday.

Ernst spoke with Iowa Corn Growers Association, Guthrie County President Ryan Steffensen and Treasurer Mike Thomas, and Guthrie County Farm Bureau President Alex Durst and Secretary Heath Blomquist at the Guthrie County Extension and Outreach office. The group asked Ernst when she thinks Phase 2 of the China trade agreement will be signed, to which she was uncertain. She also updated them on the work the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is doing to build levies back on the Missouri River, though she said it’s going to flood again.

Ernst shares what her current priorities are for the agriculture industry, “Making sure that these trade deals are implemented and that we are following through with that. Going back to part of our discussion today, E-15 and biofuels, making sure that the federal government is following through on their commitment to the biofuels industry and to our farmers and that we are pushing these types of products out there and allowing consumer choice at the pump.”

Ernst also told the farmers that she was thrilled with the 10th circuit court of appeals decision last month finding the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped its reach in issuing three particular small refinery exemption waivers, which allows them to blend a smaller amount of biofuels. She also inquired how Iowa farmers can best diversify crops, though it could be years until the infrastructure is in place for hemp production.