Income growth for U.S. farmers in 2019 depends on the resolution of the trade dispute with China as well as progress in free trade talks with other countries around the world, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) trade experts said last week in a workshop at the organization’s 100th annual convention in New Orleans.

“The only way we’re going to increase farm income is to increase cash receipts. Ninety-five percent of the world population is outside the U.S., so export markets will always be our opportunity for growth,” said AFBF economist Veronica Nigh. Currently, about 20 percent of U.S. agricultural production is...