Farmers in America's Corn Belt say they are facing their worst crisis in 40 years as diesel and fertiliser costs explode due to Donald Trump's Iran war. Matt Bailey, who grows corn and soybeans in eastern Nebraska, said 11-52-0 fertiliser that cost $470 a ton a decade ago now exceeds $900. "Inputs are way out of whack," he said. The price surge since the US attacked Iran in February compounds years of low grain prices and trade war impacts, particularly lost soybean sales to China.

John Hansen, president of Nebraska Farmers Union, called it the worst financial downturn since the 1980s. An American Farm Bureau Federation study projects farmers growing nine principal crops will lose $31bn this year and $32bn in 2027 without government aid. Economist Faith Parum said corn losses will reach $131 per acre this year, rising to $167 in 2027, marking the sixth year of negative returns for major row crops.

With 71 days until midterm elections, Republican Senator Thom Tillis warned the party lacks a positive message for farm country. Trump requested an $11bn emergency aid package, but farming groups say it's insufficient. The Strait of Hormuz slowdown has disrupted global fertiliser supplies already strained since Russia's 2022 Ukraine invasion. Pam Johnson said the Iran war has created sweeping uncertainty for farmers.