Logistics Present Problems For Farmers Already Struggling

It’s a bad one-two punch for the America farmer.

As the coronavirus pandemic spread across the U.S., schools, restaurants and hotels canceled contracts, meaning millions of dollars worth of American Ag had no destination. And locations that could have used those commodities, could not receive them, because of a variety of logistical problems, and challenges in changing transportation schedules. Because of that, milk has been dumped out, beans have been turned over and vegetables have been left to rot.

April Clayton with the Washington Farm Bureau noted the time of year for this turmoil makes it even more challenging on the American farmer.

“Right now, the grocery stores are kind of flooded with a lot of food from other countries, so what really needs to happen, is the America consumer needs to go to the grocery store and demand that we see more America products being placed in there.  Because this is going to be a hardship for the American farmer.”

Clayton said logistics is not the only challenge right now.

“And it’s really concerning that we’re seeing grocery stores put a limit on how many gallons of milk you can buy, when literally farmers all across the U.S. are being forced to dump their milk.  Because when you milk a cow it can only stay on your farm for 24 hours before you have to dump it.  There is literally not enough truckers to go collect the milk, or enough plants to processes it.”

Clayton noted in case the lost product wasn’t enough, the Ag community is looking at potential labor shortages as the year continues.

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