MARSHALL — Tariffs on products like soybeans and pork were a subject that loomed large over a Tuesday panel discussion on agriculture. While it’s still not clear what’s going to happen in the long run, local ag panelists said Minnesota farmers are definitely concerned.

“We’re not sure if it’s an emotional reaction,” or a long-term shift in markets, said pork producer Greg Boerboom. But tariffs on American pork could hurt farmers, he said.

Boerboom was one of the speakers on the panel discussion, which was held by the Marshall Chamber AgriBusiness group. The panel featured speakers with a variety of perspectives on agriculture, including Boerboom; Rep. Chris Swedzinski; Becky Vogel, vice president of agriculture and business banking at Bremer Bank; and Paul Lanoue, dean of agriculture and business management at Minnesota West Community and Technical College.

During the discussion, audience members asked whether panelists thought the U.S. should continue to use tariffs as economic leverage against other countries.

Boerboom said farmers feel the effects of tariffs more than the governments that put the tariffs in place. “Somebody pays the bill for the tariff, either the buyer or the seller,” he said. In the case of pork producers, “We’re having a harder time selling pork, especially to China and Mexico.”

Lanoue said there are also concerns for Minnesota ag producers about potentially losing export markets.

“We don’t want to lose markets we already have a friendly relationship established with,” Lanoue said. Once those relationships are gone, it could be difficult to get the markets back, he said.

“Most of my clients are watching very closely,” Vogel said of the situation. But at the same time, Vogel and Swedzinski said, there are a lot of factors that could affect agricultural exports and grain prices.

Another factor that audience members brought up was the Trump administration’s announcement that it would provide up to $12 billion in emergency relief for farmers.

Panelists said Tuesday they didn’t know a lot about the relief funding yet. However, Swedzinski and Boerboom said that it, along with President Trump’s visit to Dubuque, Iowa, could be a first step in reaching out to farmers.

With lots of questions about the farm economy still out there, diversifying crops was a topic on audience members’ minds. The panel fielded a question about how viable hemp might be as a long-term crop in Minnesota.

“I’m not surprised the question is coming up,” Lanoue said. But panelists urged caution, for different reasons.

The big question with hemp, Swedzinski said, is whether there would be a sustainable market for it. At this point, Vogel said, it will be tough for farmers to get financing for hemp farming because it doesn’t work out on paper.

“Right now, there’s too many unknowns,” Vogel said. “Are we open to it? Possibly, but the plan would have to be pretty solid.”

Some effects of the economy on agriculture go beyond trade or crops, panelists said. One topic they were asked to speak about was the mental health crisis among farmers. Speakers said it was a serious issue for everyone.

One of the difficult things about agriculture, Lanoue said, is the isolation people can feel when they’re struggling economically or emotionally. However, he said there are some resources available for farmers. For example, “farm psychologist” Ted Matthews works to provide counseling services for farmers across Minnesota.

Boerboom and Lanoue said it’s also important to be there for neighbors and friends who may need help.

“The reality is, we need to look out for each other in those early stages,” Lanoue said.