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Borneo Post
a day ago
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- Borneo Post
Iowa farmers call for building trade ties with handshakes, not tariffs
People shop at a Walmart store in Rosemead, California, the United States, on May 15, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua) MANNING, United States (June 10): The Renze family's fleet stretches from six-monitor John Deere tractors to a pristine 1929 Ford Model A, a symbol of a time when farming was hands-on, not high-tech. At 97, Melvin Renze, the family patriarch, still drives his Ford down Main Street to Deb's Corner Café. On other days, he wanders into the fields, running his fingers through the soil and offering advice to his sons: 'You ought to do this, or that!' 'I'm busy all the time,' he said. 'I was born a farmer. It's in my blood. If I had a do-over, I'd do exactly the same. I like farming. I did like farming.' The Renzes have farmed in western Iowa for generations, managing thousands of acres of farmland and a significant number of livestock. Melvin's son, Scott, stays in the field, dealing with unpredictable markets, precision technology and the ripple effects of U.S.-China trade friction. His brother, Randy, took a different path, branching into international agribusiness. Despite the support of advanced technologies, such as GPS-guided tractors, cloud-connected feeding systems and data-informed crop decisions, their concerns revolve around cost, policy consistency and international cooperation. Randy Renze speaks in an interview with Xinhua in West Des Moines, Iowa, the United States, on May 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan) FLICKER OF RELIEF A temporary 90-day suspension of tariffs between the United States and China in May brought a flicker of relief. But Randy, who spent 34 years navigating global trade standards at leading tractor maker John Deere, sees a more complicated picture. 'When tariffs were imposed the first time, it cost John Deere. It cost the American farmer,' he told Xinhua in a recent interview. 'Those soybean markets we lost, someone else filled.' Scott felt the impact firsthand. 'By spring, we've already spent hundreds of thousands on seed, fertilizer and chemicals,' he said. 'No policy from Washington is going to stop us short-term. But next year? We'll have to rethink everything.' Noting that a single breakdown can cost tens of thousands of dollars, Scott said: 'With tight margins, even a 10-percent drop in prices can shake everything (up) — land payments, equipment loans and family income.' Today, most of their corn heads to nearby ethanol plants; some goes to livestock feed; the rest is exported. However, tariffs are rebalancing that mix, Scott said. China was once the largest buyer, but now 'I can't tell you the amount. We're constantly renegotiating,' he added. Technology shapes every aspect of their operation. The Renzes manage a digital command center and use apps to track weather, monitor soil, mix cattle feed and hedge commodity prices. 'We're not just farmers anymore. We're managers, marketers, engineers,' said Scott. Still, it's not necessarily easier. 'Physically, sure. It's less labor. But mentally, it's exhausting. You're troubleshooting tech, watching markets, managing risks every day,' he added. 'WE HEDGE, WE WATCH, AND WE ADJUST' Every growing season is a gamble. 'Some years, you make 100 U.S. dollars an acre. Another year, you lose 50 dollars,' Scott said. 'One hailstorm, one drought, and everything changes,' he added, noting that insurance only offers limited safety, as coverage is costly and incomplete. That's farming in 2025: sophisticated, strategic and still uncertain. Despite that, Scott stays committed. 'We've got apps, data, tech. We do everything right. But we can't control tariffs, politics or the weather. So we hedge, we watch, and we adjust.' Asked whether tariffs come up often in conversation, Scott shrugged. 'Tariffs? That's beyond our control. We leave it to the government and hope they manage it well,' he said. 'We just try to survive it.' Even with the help of high-tech machinery, managing thousands of cattle and vast stretches of land comes with real pressure. 'Farming today isn't blue-collar or white-collar,' Randy said. 'It's both. You need the brains and the back.' The same tech that boosts efficiency also drives up costs. 'That planter? 300,000 dollars,' said Scott. 'We'll spend another 15,000 dollars a year just to maintain it.' Competition from Brazil, Argentina and elsewhere is also mounting. 'You've got to be the best. Efficient, informed and relentless,' he said. Tariffs are now another variable. 'Tariffs won't affect the next two to five months,' Randy said. 'But come next season, it'll impact what we plant and what we sell and buy.' U.S. President Donald Trump shows an executive order on 'reciprocal tariffs' at the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Yousong) BUILDING TRADE TIES WITH HANDSHAKES Randy has visited China many times, working with farmers, officials and engineers. That experience taught him patience and pragmatism. 'China takes the long view,' he said. 'Thousands of years of history puts a few years of friction into perspective.' Randy sees people-to-people diplomacy as vital, especially when politics turn tense. 'You don't build trade relationships with speeches. You build them over years through handshakes, visits, and showing up,' he said. 'That work doesn't stop just because leaders change.' He was frank about the U.S. administration's trade policies: 'There was a lot of disruption,' he said. 'Tariffs were imposed without much planning. Markets were lost. Costs rose. Relationships strained.' Instead of fine-tuning agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement or joining alliances like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, 'we scrapped and restarted,' he said. 'It may look strong on paper, but it makes long-term planning impossible for companies and farmers alike.' DEEPER MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING NEEDED Randy still has the old slides from John Deere's presentation in China, photos with Chinese friends and every business card he received. On his wall hangs a map of China, marked with stickers from every city he has visited. 'It wasn't just business,' he said. 'It was relationships, understanding and trust.' He hopes Chinese friends can understand American farmers, as well as their resilience, hopes and joy over a good harvest. What's needed, he said, is deeper mutual understanding. Now retired, Randy volunteers at the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates in Des Moines, capital of Iowa. 'I grew up in industrial agriculture. The Prize is about developing countries,' he said. 'It's been fascinating — a way to give back.' Through that work, he has expanded his knowledge of global food issues, China-Iowa ties and agricultural diplomacy. 'We can be part of the solution,' he said. 'I hope we continue to be.' agricultural China farmers tariffs
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Two Classic Automobiles Headline Compass Auctions' No-Reserve Estate Sale in Chattanooga
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Two unique antique automobiles, a 1930 Ford Model A and a Mercedes-Benz Gazelle Kit Car, are set to be auctioned without reserve through Compass Auctions. The estate vehicles, both carrying significant collector appeal, will be sold as-is with estate documentation. The 1930 Ford Model A, an icon of early American automotive engineering, remains a prized piece among vintage car enthusiasts. Registered under VIN A3727794, the black, manually shifted coupe represents Ford's first true successor to the Model T. Though currently non-operational, the odometer reading of just 1,837 miles suggests the vehicle may have been stored for much of its life. Its bill of sale and estate paperwork add to its provenance, making it an enticing project for restorers or collectors seeking authenticity. Joining the auction lineup is a Mercedes-Benz Gazelle Kit Car, a stylish replica of the classic pre-war roadsters. Featuring an automatic transmission and finished in beige, this kit car is designed to evoke the timeless elegance of 1920s and 1930s European motoring. While its exact mileage is unknown, the vehicle reportedly turns over but does not currently start, making it another potential restoration opportunity. Sold under VIN R536BG0186, the Gazelle Kit Car offers bidders a chance to own a piece of vintage-inspired automotive craftsmanship at an accessible price point. Compass Auctions' LIVE End of Month Auction is a LIVE ONSITE & ONLINE BIDDING event. Our auction staff will perform the auction live and you are welcome to listen in and place bids on our online platforms. We offer a selection of fine items from municipal and county governments, vehicles, contractor-grade tools, job completion surplus, industrial equipment and machinery, heavy equipment, trailers, work trucks, and more! Our selection is tremendous, and we will be adding to the catalog daily - keep checking back! For questions, please email info@ or call 423-702-6180. STEVEN W. HOLT #6210 Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gene Winfield, Hotrod Pioneer, Designer Of Movie And TV Cars, Dies At 97
Read the full story on Backfire News Gene Winfield, a movie and TV car designer many revere for pioneering hotrod and lowrider methods used by many builders today, died recently at the age of 97. Among the productions Winfield worked on are notable entries like Blade Runner, RoboCop, and even the original Star Trek television was also a celebrated hotrod builder, something which is common among the old school movie/TV car builder crowd. In fact, he's recognized as one of the pioneers of hotrod and lowrider culture. That's why some have referred to him as 'the King of Customs.' At least until right before the very end, Winfield was still building cars and going to events, socializing with other gearheads. The man loved speed and performance, he himself barely slowly down even in his elderly years. Born in Springfield, Missouri, Winfield grew up during the Great Depression as the youngest of six children. Seeking greater economic prosperity, his family moved to Modesto, California An enterprising youth, he opened his first automotive shop at the ripe age of 15. Shortly after, he bought a 1928 Ford Model A coupe. After joining the Navy at the end of World War II, Gene returned home and got into the hotrod scene, chopping his brother's '41 Plymouth convertible. It didn't take the man long to build a huge reputation. With that came Hollywood studios wanting him to use his creativity and fabrication skills to build custom vehicles for television shows and movies. That was how his work reached a more mainstream audience and will continue living on in those beloved productions. Back on February 27, Winfield's Custom Shop posted on Instagram about his declining health, revealing his wishes that his museum remain intact instead of the different cars being sold off for big money. He passed away on March 4. Image via winfieldscustomshop/Instagram,IMDB
