The partial government shutdown has hit American agriculture at a time when farmers and ranchers are suffering from low commodity prices and the negative impacts of a trade war. Center for Rural Affairs Policy Manager Anna Johnson says producers need the services they’re not getting from the USDA with the shutdown.

She says as the partial shutdown drags on it is preventing implementation of the new farm bill which farmers and ranchers need.

Johnson says the new Congress must take action to end the shutdown.

Johnson says Center for Rural Affairs members are urging Congress to end the shutdown, approve a spending bill and get the new farm bill implemented.