Trade Promotion Authority language has now been finalized and is heading to the U.S. Senate and House floors. This is the time that Hoosier corn and soybean farmers need to urge members of the Indiana congressional delegation to support the measure, which will expand existing markets and create new customers for the Indiana commodities.

Related: Majority of ag groups support new TPA legislation

Trade Promotion Authority allows the President to direct the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to finalize trade deals, and return them to Congress for an up or down vote, without amendments.

TPA – also called "fast track" by some – was last enacted in 2001 and expired in 2007.

Trade Promotion Authority: Language is headed to the Senate and House floors in Washington, D.C. Farm groups support the legislation, suggesting it will expand exports of ag commodities and products.

"Trade is good for American farmers, workers and consumers," said Dave Lowe, farmer from Dunkirk, and president of the Indian soybean Alliance. "Trade Promotion Authority is an essential step in finalizing the best possible trade agreements for Indiana farmers."

Key role in trade negotiations
U.S. negotiators are currently working on a deal with countries in the Asia Pacific region, the "Trans Pacific Partnership," which could expand the sale of Indiana corn and soybeans to countries like Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. Negotiators have also been working on an expanded agreement with countries in the European Union.

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In 2013, Indiana's top five agricultural exports were $1.7 billion of soybeans, $442 million of soybean meal, $429 million in feeds and fodder, $410 million of corn and $307 million of pork. And every dollar of agricultural exports creates an additional $1.27 in business activity for our economy.

Related: 8 former U.S. Secretaries of Ag, Vilsack stress TPA passage

"Indiana farmers need a level playing field to help maintain a competitive advantage as we send out crops down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and around the world," said Herb Ringel, a farmer from Wabash and president of the Indiana Corn Growers Association. "Trade Promotion Authority is critical for Indiana farmers, and we call on each member of the Indiana Congressional delegation to support this important piece of legislation."

Indiana farmers are asked to call their Senators and Representatives in Washington and encourage them to support Trade Promotion Authority.

Learn more about Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Growers Association online.

The opinions of Jennifer Campbell are not necessarily those of Indiana Prairie Farmer or the Penton Farm Progress Group.