Farmers in the Midwest of the United States are squeezed by Trump tariffs and climate crisis | Ohio

sEventh Generation Farmer Brian Harbage grows corn, soybeans and grass and conducts cattle operations in five counties in the west Ohio. In the agricultural world, his work constitutes a large business.

Nevertheless, the past two years have been challenging in the twin threat Climate crisis and Trump administration.

Last year, the regional saw of the Eastern Corn Belt Only 20% Due to a harvested crop Drought has almost no precipitation Between June and October. This is part of the climate cycle, involving drought, heat and wildfire Crop producer $11 billion National.

“Last year we started a good crop and then it rained. Our yields will definitely drop by at least 25-30%.”

This year, this is almost the opposite.

Replenished rain Severe disease and pest stress He planted thousands of acres of soybeans and corn in the spring.

“It seems like there are three days of windows. It just starts drying and it will rain,” he said.

“We’re over [planting] In early June. We hope to complete it by May 15th. Anything that will be grown later means it may be planted in marginal conditions because we are eager to get in, and secondly, it has little time to mature before harvest. ”

With the 2025 corn and soy harvest coming – two of the largest crops and key players in the United States, crop growers are facing gloves. Climate fluctuations, rotational operating costs and low international demand, which are largely due to government policies in the form of tariffs, which creates a perfect storm.

“Farming is not for worry,” Harbage said. “We always lie to us as crisis managers.”

Suicide rate among farmers yes 3.5 times National level.

In 2023-24, China purchased 2.49 million metric tons of soybeans worth US$13.2 billion, mainly to feed its 427 million pig herds. The second largest international soybean market for farmers in the United States (Mexico) lags far behind 6 million metric tons.

Since President Trump first proposed tariffs since 2017, crop farmers have been working with decline China is a leading soybean market and an important market for corn exports.

last month, Report export report Soybeans (the largest U.S. cereal export by value) accounted for a 20-year low.

“In the long run, tariffs may help the whole country; in the short run, it’s terrible for farmers.”

“We’re really chin right now because if we can’t export, the price is low. If we can’t export and we have a bad crop, it’s a two-time fist. I know what the government wants to do, but that will hurt me in the short term.”

Farmers and rural Americans are keen to emphasize that their political and voting preferences are rarely fueled by events such as single issues or tariffs. Although the president’s policies are causing incitement, many continue to support Trump.

Although rural voters are the cornerstone of his political foundation, Trump has remained silent on addressing the pain caused by his tariffs. On August 10, he posted the truth about socializing Ask China The quadruped bought American soybeans. The president claims China is “concerned” about soybean shortage, although China vows Its domestic soybean production will increase by 38% by 2034.

More importantly, some market analysts say Trump’s job Not on the tour On Chinese social media, the country’s political leaders may not have heard his request.

With the soybean harvest in the Midwest about a month from now, many are growing in the following weeks, with concerns that China may not buy a cereal this season.

“and [tariffs] In place, we are not competitive with soybeans from Brazil. Our marketing year starts on October 1 and usually until now we see China’s commitment to soybean advance payments. China does not make a one-time purchase for our soybeans. ” said Virginia Houston, director of government affairs at the lobbying organization American Soybean Association.

“There is no market that can meet China’s demand for soybeans. Currently, China has a 20% retaliation obligation.”

To appease his farm base, the Trump administration announced $6 billion in farmers’ subsidies in the recent tax bill, but this has drawn criticism that those saying farmers should not be subsidized on a dime for taxpayers.

Others have Reported the funds Producers will be selected in specific U.S. regions, benefiting larger producers rather than family farms. In addition to export challenges, prices of U.S. commodity crops have been steadily declining over the past three years due to smaller herds and lower ethanol production.

Houston said when she spoke to the White House and Congress to share the fight farmers faced by tariffs, the response was “They support farmers” [but] We are a gear in the steering wheel of this complex relationship.

“The farm economy is much harder than we did in 2018 [during Trump’s previous China trade war]. Prices fell while inputs (seeds, chemistry, chemicals, land and equipment) continued to rise. ”

Unpredictable weather conditions have continued to make planning more difficult.

For much of this summer, storms occur almost every day in Ohio, Ohio and elsewhere in the Eastern Corn Belt for most of this summer, causing ponds to kill early plant growth. Diseases such as corn leaf blight in the northern region, gray leaf spots and tar spots soon followed.

“When it is attacked by the disease, it does not reach its full potential because it tries to fight the disease,” Harbage said.

Although he treated the diseased crops, the calories and humidity of life this summer have been rare traits that can overcome the effects of bacterial agents.

Most importantly, Harbage said that due to the high moisture content, he would have to flower propane on propane before sending the corn to the consumer and then send it to the consumer.

If Trump walks into his farm today, Habach says he will have a message.

“Exit is first. It’s first repair. We have to get rid of our growth, or we have to be able to use it,” he said.

“China, Mexico and Canada – We export $83 billion worth of goods to them every year. So if they don’t buy it, we’ll get stuck in crops.”

• In the United States, you can call 988’s National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, chat on 988lifeline.org, or contact the crisis counselor at 741741. In the UK and Ireland, you can contact Samaritans on Freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In Australia, the crisis support service lifeline is 13 11 14.