cnbc_topnews

Trump promised a 'golden age' for agriculture. Farmers in Iowa say they're still waiting

📰 source: cnbc_topnews · 💼 business

iowa farmer aaron lehman says his health insurance premiums have more than doubled since aca subsidies expired in january. the iran war keeps diesel and fertilizer prices high, and crop prices are low. president trump promised a 'golden age of american agriculture,' but lehman and many other farmers see no sign of it. a july american farm bureau federation report projects a $32 billion loss on major crops in 2027. 70% of farmers said they can't afford all the fertilizer they need. farm bankruptcies in iowa and nationwide rose in 2025-2026. some corn growers are an exception, with record export volumes due to global demand for livestock feed. the white house blames biden for the trade deficit and high input costs, and has sent $12 billion in direct payments using tariff revenue. but farmers like lehman prefer market income to government aid. many are frustrated by the uncertainty and want a clear policy direction. congress still hasn't passed a new farm bill since 2018. some worry trump's rural approval, now at 44% per a fox news poll, could hurt republicans in the 2026 midterms.

why it matters: trump's 'golden age' hasn't materialized for many iowa farmers, raising questions about his rural base ahead of midterms.

source: cnbc_topnews
sentiment: -0.40 · impact: 0.40

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Surprise fall in US jobs last month as slow summer continues

Homes are selling below asking in 38 of the 50 biggest U.S. cities—if you can afford one

China is gaining ground in AI. But the U.S. still has a major advantage

US strikes $1.2bn deal to pay German firm to halt offshore wind projects