I spoke with two farmers over breakfast about their crops. Both are in their early sixties. Both are fourth generation farmers working family Georgia farms since they were old enough to go into the fields with their fathers and grandfathers. Both voted for Trump.
Their Trump support and their crop futures look uncertain. If the trade war is not resolved in a few weeks, both will lose money on crops already planted. Mr Jim, the one most willing to speak about the situation, said he put over $100,000 into this years crop but will be lucky to get $70,000 out of it if prices do not fall further. If he sells his crop at a loss like many others will do, flooding the market, the prices will fall even more for those who do the same after him. Insurance will not cover the loss. Storage until prices rebound is expensive but may be necessary to keep from losing fifty percent of his investment.
Mr Jim said this may be his last year farming and he will need to cut back on spending. He won't be voting in November. He said he will cut his losses in that area too. Mr Lloyd chimed in with, "That son a bitch!" I believe Trump lost two of his base this morning.
