Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE 1/21/20

The USDA chief also delivered remarks at the AFBF convention, where he acknowledged the hardships of 2019 but predicted much brighter days ahead. "2020 I believe will be a record year for agricultural exports," Perdue said. "We're talking about doubling the number of ag imports that China has ever done before, throughout the whole agricultural sector."

Trade aid 2.0, part III: He confirmed that USDA plans to offer a third and final batch of trade aid for 2019 losses, "no 'maybe' about it," after Trump had teased the additional aid on Sunday. But Perdue indicated there might not be another bailout program for 2020, with the promise of Chinese ag purchases and other trade deals in place. "Now let's grow stuff, let's produce things and let's sell stuff," he told the gathering of farmers.

Crop report conspiracies: The secretary also noted the industry's concern about recent production data from USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Some of the agency's crop reports last year diverged from private estimates, causing big moves in commodity markets and fueling accusations that Washington was playing with prices. The frustration boiled over when a farmer made violent threats against USDA employees, causing the agency to withdraw staff from a crop tour last summer.

"We got a little conspiratorial, thinking NASS was out to get us, too. I questioned them very heavily," Perdue said. "Ultimately I think you'll find out their numbers ... might have been more correct than the market was, ultimately." He added that USDA is seeking suggestions to improve its data collection methods.