Page 8 2025 Logan County Spring Outlook LINCOLN DAILY NEWS March 2025 if a meat processor in the United States wants to import beef from Australia, it usually costs $100 per metric ton. However, if a 25% tariff on beef imports is imposed, the price to import that beef from Australia is now $125 per metric ton. The tariff would generate revenue for the country and protect domestic beef producers, but it could also cause beef imports to decrease and increase the cost for consumers. Furthermore, in response to the tariffs, Australia could impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States, starting a trade war. The trade war of 2018-2019 started when the U.S. government imposed tariffs on goods from several countries, including China. In response, six countries imposed retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., mainly on agricultural goods. A USDA-ERS report analyzed the effects of these tariffs and found that U.S. agricultural exports sharply declined, with states in the Midwest most affected. Iowa and Illinois were the most affected states in the Midwest and the entire U.S., mainly due to a large number of agricultural goods from these states bound for export. Illinois soybean producers lost an estimated $1.25 billion in lost revenue, while corn producers lost an estimated $30 million. The amount of agricultural exports from Illinois dropped by approximately 10.6%, the effects of which can still be felt today. Changes in policy at the state and federal level can severely impact agricultural producers here in Central Illinois and across the United States. It is essential to have plans and strategies in place to protect your operations for the future. That is where I and Illinois Extension can help. Whether you need help diagnosing issues affecting your crops or want to learn about current topics affecting agriculture, Extension has vast resources to help you through these challenges. I am always here to help. I can be reached by calling the Logan County Extension office at (217)732-8289 or by email at rgtibbs@illinois. edu. Have a safe and successful growing season! [Reagen Tibbs]
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