# Farmer optimism ticks up ahead of midterm elections as growers sour on tariffs

> The October Ag Economy Barometer from Purdue and CME Group rose to 126 points from 123 in September. Farmers reported more concern about tariffs and balance sheets, and the Farm Financial Performance Index rose to 94.

- Date: 2026-11-04 · published 2026-11-05T00:15:53.188Z
- Category: report · region US · magnitude low
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/80788-farmer-optimism-ticks-up-ahead-of-midterm-elections-as-growers-sour-on-tariffs
- Commodities: [Corn](https://feedsoft.ai/c/CORN.md), [Soybeans](https://feedsoft.ai/c/SOY.md), [Wheat (SRW)](https://feedsoft.ai/c/WHEAT.md)

## Why it matters

Survey data shows farmer sentiment improving but financial strain persisting, which can affect farm input purchasing and hedging. The survey itself has little direct price impact.

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CORN | 2019-08-13 | [U.S. farmers stung by tariffs now face a $3.5 billion corn loss](https://feedsoft.ai/events/11738-u-s-farmers-stung-by-tariffs-now-face-a-3-5-billion-corn-loss.md) | -3.3% | -8.2% |
| CORN | 2021-07-12 | [Ahead of the Open \| July 12, 2021 - Pro Farmer](https://feedsoft.ai/events/7781-ahead-of-the-open-july-12-2021-pro-farmer.md) | -6.7% | -7.2% |
| CORN | 2020-03-16 | [Market Trends for March & April - Grain Farmers of Ontario](https://feedsoft.ai/events/7428-market-trends-for-march-and-april-grain-farmers-of-ontario.md) | -4.7% | -5.7% |
| CORN | 2025-09-30 | [Report Reaction \| Corn stocks top expectations - Pro Farmer](https://feedsoft.ai/events/9843-report-reaction-corn-stocks-top-expectations-pro-farmer.md) | +0.8% | +1.0% |
| CORN | 2026-10-29 | [Why Brazil's election matters for U.S. grain markets](https://feedsoft.ai/events/1251-why-brazil-s-election-matters-for-u-s-grain-markets.md) | -1.5% | — |
| SOY | 2022-02-03 | [ERS’ Estimates of Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Agriculture - American Soybean Association](https://feedsoft.ai/events/14956-ers-estimates-of-retaliatory-tariffs-on-u-s-agriculture-american-soybean.md) | +3.2% | +8.7% |
| SOY | 2019-08-13 | [U.S. farmers stung by tariffs now face a $3.5 billion corn loss](https://feedsoft.ai/events/11738-u-s-farmers-stung-by-tariffs-now-face-a-3-5-billion-corn-loss.md) | -0.9% | -0.3% |
| SOY | 2021-07-12 | [Ahead of the Open \| July 12, 2021 - Pro Farmer](https://feedsoft.ai/events/7781-ahead-of-the-open-july-12-2021-pro-farmer.md) | +3.6% | +1.3% |

## Sources

- agnavigator.com: https://www.agnavigator.com/Article/2026/11/04/farmer-sentiment-rises-ahead-of-midterms-despite-economic-tariff-concerns/

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.