WASHINGTON, May 18, 2026 — A new poll commissioned by Amato Advisors and conducted by Farm Journal finds that American farmers — an overwhelmingly Republican-leaning constituency — are sending Washington a clear distress signal on the cost of farming, tariff damage, Iran War and a federal government they say does not understand the realities of life on a farm.

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The Farmer & Rancher Policy Sentiment Survey, fielded in April 2026, surveyed 974 farmers and ranchers across 44 states. The findings reveal a producer base in deep economic strain and high political motivation heading into the 2026 midterm election. For more information, you can access the summary memo, full report, and crosstabs.

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Among the most striking findings:

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• Input costs are crushing American farmers. 78% of farmers name machinery and input costs — fertilizer, fuel, seed, chemicals — among the top three challenges facing their operation. No other issue comes within 30 points

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• The Iran War is hitting farms in the wallet. 94% of farmers say the war with Iran is impacting their business by raising fertilizer costs, energy costs, or both.

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• Tariffs are an open wound for the farmers most directly exposed - and a quiet pressure on producers broadly. A quarter of farmers (25%) flagged trade policy and tariffs as one of their top three challenges - the third-highest concern after input costs and commodity price volatility. Tariffs also impact the top two challenges farmers named: fertilizer, fuel, seed, and chemical inputs are subject to import duties and supply-chain pressures, and commodity prices respond directly to export-market access.

 

• Farmers say federal policy is hurting them. 55% of farmers say federal policies have had a negative effect on their farming operation over the past year. Just 19% say federal policy has helped.

  • 26% said it would make them less likely to be able to pass on their farm to the next generation. 

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• Farmers point to the current administration as responsible: About one in four farmers (24%) ranks the current administration as the single most responsible for the challenges facing agriculture today — the highest of any tested group.

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• Farmers feel unheard. 73% of farmers say their elected officials understand the realities farmers face "not very well" or "not at all."

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• Neither party is trusted. On every economic issue tested — input costs, trade, healthcare, farm income, debt, and labor — between one in five and one in three farmers say they trust neither party to deliver for them.

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• Roughly four in ten farmers are politically uncertain. 39% of farmers are persuadable from their usual party in 2026 — they are either considering voting for a different party, considering an independent or third-party candidate, considering not voting, or are unsure how they will vote. This includes 35% of farmers who "usually vote" Republican, and 15% of farmers who say they "always vote" Republican.

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• Among the persuadable farmers, neither party is trusted. On every economic issue tested — input costs, trade, healthcare, farm income, debt, and labor — between roughly four in ten and half of persuadable farmers say they trust neither party to deliver for them.

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• Turnout intent is unusually high. 54% of farmers say they are MORE motivated to vote in the upcoming election than in the last cycle. Only 5% say they are less motivated.

 

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The findings are particularly notable because the surveyed universe is overwhelmingly Republican. Six in ten farmers surveyed say they "always" (30%) or "usually" (29%) vote Republican, and just 6% say they typically vote for a Democratic candidate. The dissatisfaction documented in the survey is coming from inside the President's own political base.

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"This is one of the most striking pieces of public opinion data to come out of farm country in years," said Michael Amato, Principal of Amato Advisors. "Six in ten of the polled farmers vote Republican, and they are telling us in their own words that input costs are crushing them, tariffs and the Iran War are hurting their long-term ability to compete, and they don't believe the people they sent to Washington understand what life on a farm looks like right now. That is a signal worth paying attention to and it should land with lawmakers in both parties, particularly as we approach the midterm elections."

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The poll lands at a critical moment for American agriculture. The U.S. Senate is currently considering the Farm Bill that recently passed the U.S. House Agriculture Committee. Annual appropriations negotiations will determine the future of staffing and program delivery at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Farmers' answers to this survey suggest those decisions are landing in farm country at a moment of unusual economic strain and political mobilization.

 

About the survey

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The Farmer & Rancher Policy Sentiment Survey was commissioned by Amato Advisors and conducted by Farm Journal. The field period closed April 24, 2026. N = 974 farmers and ranchers across 44 states. Sub-sample sizes vary; complete methodology and topline data are available here.

 

About Farm Journal

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Farm Journal is the nation’s leading business information and media company serving the agricultural market. Started 147 years ago with the preeminent Farm Journal magazine, the company serves the row crop, livestock, produce and retail sectors through branded websites, eNewsletters and phone apps; business magazines; live events including conferences, seminars and tradeshows; nationally broadcast television and radio programs; a robust mobile-text-marketing business; and an array of data-driven, paid information products. Farm Journal is also the majority shareholder of the online equipment marketplace, Machinery Pete LLC. Trust In Food is a Farm Journal division dedicated to accelerating the adoption of climate-smart and regenerative agriculture in ways that work for producers and enhance connection to consumers. In 2010, the company established the non-profit, public charity, Farm Journal Foundation, dedicated to sustaining agriculture’s ability to meet the vital needs of a growing population through education and empowerment.

 

About Amato Advisors

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Amato Advisors is a leading strategic communications and public affairs firm specializing in the politics and policy of food, agriculture, climate, and rural America. 

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