Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will be in North Dakota April 27 and in Iowa on April 29 for roundtable discussions, farms visits and tours to highlight the importance of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

On Saturday, the secretary will visit Peterson Farms Seed and Emerging Prairie’s “Grand Farm Initiative” Farm -- the first 100% autonomous farm show. Perdue, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Sens. John Hoeven (R., N.D.) and Kevin Cramer (R., N.D.) will participate in a roundtable discussion with agricultural leaders and stakeholders at Peterson Farms Seed.

On Monday, Perdue will be in Iowa to visit Vermeer Corp. and Corteva Agriscience's Mendel Greenhouse.

In the press announcement regarding Perdue’s tour, the U.S. Department of Agriculture explained that USMCA "makes important fixes" to the North American Free Trade Agreement that "will benefit America’s farmers, ranchers and producers for years to come. The deal secures greater access to the Mexican and Canadian markets and lowers barriers for many U.S. products."

The announcement added, “The deal eliminates Canada’s unfair Class 6 and Class 7 milk pricing schemes, opens additional access to U.S. dairy into Canada and imposes new disciplines on Canada’s supply management system. The agreement preserves and expands critical access for U.S. poultry and egg producers and addresses Canada’s discriminatory wheat grading process to help U.S. wheat growers along the border become more competitive. Additionally, the agreement specifically addresses agricultural biotechnology, including new technologies such as gene editing, to support innovation and reduce trade-distorting policies.”