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Nov. 11, 2026 Source: Agri-Pulse WASHINGTON, D.C. -- New research indicates farmers, ranchers and agribusiness leaders are very concerned about the farm economy and their ability to be profitable over the next 12 months. Results from the Agri-Pulse Research Network: The Political Pulse of Agriculture, show 62% of respondents said they feel U.S. agriculture is headed in the wrong direction, while 24% were unsure. Only 14% said the country was headed in the right direction. The national survey, powered by the Stratovation Group, was conducted throughout October and concluded earlier this month with 170 participants. "Although this is a relatively small sample of our audience who took time to respond during a busy harvest season, it captured perspectives from all across the country and directionally, underscores how frustrated farm country was going into the midterm elections," said Agri-Pulse Founder and Publisher Sara Wyant. "We did not see the high ratings for the Trump administration that we've seen in some previous surveys dating back to his first term and prior to his second term." Asked to rate President Trump's approach to agriculture based on the impact to the ag economy on a scale of 1-10, with a 1 signaling "extremely disapprove" and 10 "extremely approve," the president scored an average of 3.7. His decision to import more beef from South America to help lower consumers' beef prices seemed to really strike a nerve. Slightly over 50% rated his order as "very negative", while another 24% rated the decision as "somewhat negative." Only 5% rated the move as "somewhat" or "very positive." Using that same 1 to 10 rating scale, participants scored Secretary Brooke Rollins only slightly better on her approach to the ag economy, with an average score of 4.7. Looking ahead over the next 12 months, 45% said they expect to be worse off financially, compared to 41% who said they would be about the same. Only 10% thought they would be better off. Asked to rate the impact of current U.S. trade policy on their operation, 41% said it was somewhat negative while another third rated it as "very negative." Only 12% rated current trade policy as very positive or somewhat positive, while 16% were neutral. Opinions were evenly divided over which issue should be the top agricultural priority in Washington D.C. "Improving the farm economy & commodity prices" was selected by 18% of those surveyed while another 18% selected "removing tariffs and trade barriers." Fifteen percent voted for passing a new farm bill, 14% selected lowering input costs and 13% picked "addressing agricultural industry concentration." Participants answered from all parts of the country, with 48% from the Midwest, 21% from the West, 17% from the South, 17% from the Plains states and 5% from the Northeast. The majority (64%) identified as farmers or ranchers, while the remainder represented ag retailers, agribusinesses and about a dozen policy experts. The Agri-Pulse Research Network received a wide range of answers when asked for a one sentence or less response to this question: "What is your single biggest concern about agriculture and politics heading into the next year?" High input costs, low commodity prices, and high interest rates were the most frequent comments. Many farmers and ranchers reflected on issues in their respective states, like California, where growers cited the need to invest more in specialty crops, deal with growing olive oil imports, and address concentration in the Mexican avocado industry and the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Other comments on the "single biggest concern" question included: "Political inability to craft and pass a new farm bill that actually meets farmers' needs with real reforms and investments into more resilience." "Too little practical knowledge of ag among leaders at the federal level - WH, USDA, Commerce, Congress." "Not enough education on what farmers are doing and lack of bipartisan cooperation and collaboration." "Losing majority and D's undoing all the good that has been done at USDA and this administration." "Trump's decisions on several levels are bad for agriculture and so much more - and I consider myself a Republican." "I'm afraid that the subsidies are creating an unsustainable false floor to the industry." Tweet |
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