Farmers Have Gradually Lost Their Patience to The President

Due to the escalating plant support net trade war was the leading cause of erosion for Trump among a staunchly Republican group. So one in seven farmers who voted for President Trump in 2016 would not vote for him.

Support for Trump in farm country generally mirrors party affiliation, according to Farm Futures, which polled 924 farmers from July 20 through August 2. Three fourths of farmers identify themselves as Republicans and 10% Democrats; roughly the same as the 75-11 split in the farm vote between Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The remaining 14% voted for third-party candidates or did not vote in 2016.

Trade seems to be the sticking point for the president's wavering supporters because most farmers give Trump high marks in other areas. Growers overwhelmingly support the president on regulatory relief and immigration but two thirds agreed with the statement, President Trump has not done enough to support the biofuels industry.

Trump ran on a platform of tax cuts, regulatory relief and support anti bird net for corn ethanol, a heady mixture in rural areas. He rolled up landslide margins in rural America, key to his election, despite Farm Belt concern about his promises to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and NAFTA. Farm groups and ethanol makers repeatedly fought EPA since Trump took office over proposals to weaken the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Large majorities of farmers said they were willing to give Trump more time to work out trade deals. They believe that tariffs may hurt in the short term but my farm will be better off under President Trump in the long run. At the same time, 40% said Trump's actions on trade have permanently damaged agriculture.

Since the late 1970s, ground cover exports have been regarded as a path for but farm income could fall to levels last observed during the farm financial crisis of the 1980s without the agricultural aid of up to $12 billion proposed by the administration. Net farm income slipping below $50 billion would have sent major concerns throughout the farm economy.