Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue believes that U.S. farmers will see an immediate response from China regarding commodity purchases once a free trade agreement is signed.  Additionally, USDA Barge Analyst comments on the impacts these heavy rains will have on barge traffic on the Mississippi River.  May 1 usually ushers in continuous barge traffic, but navigation is currently stopped at several locks.

Click here to listen to this audio report by Tricia Braid.