As Trump heads to China, American farmers worry about fertilizer and fuel costs

In Iowa, corn and soybean farmer April Hemmes just finished planting her crops for the year. “Marketplace” host Kai Ryssdal checked in with her about the state of the farm economy heading into President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“As far as soybeans, we’re not looking for anything more than what they promised last fall,” Hemmes said, because the Chinese have started buying Brazilian soybeans over the past few years. “What we’re really looking for is all the other commodities — what about corn or wheat and things like that? That’s what we’re hopeful for more than soy, which is really kinda new.”

In the meantime, Hemmes and other farmers are facing higher input costs on fertilizer, seeds, and diesel. Hemmes’ combine has a near 300-gallon tank.

Click the audio player above to hear the conversation.