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Farmer, consumer sentiment remains low

An ag policy specialist says farmer sentiment continues to trend lower across agriculture.

Val Dolcini with Syngenta tells Brownfield it shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“Look at where farmers are today. They have a lot of headwinds facing them,” he said. “Low commodity prices, drought in many parts of the country, high input prices, the loss of export opportunities.”

He says it’s a similar story for consumers.

“We’re seeing consumer sentiment at a pretty low point in our history,” Dolcini said. “It goes up and down depending on what’s happening around the world or in the country, but it’s also in a pretty low place and that’s an indication of where voter sentiment lies.”

Dolcini says expenses are extremely high for both producers and consumers, with fuel costs near the top of the list.

He spoke to Brownfield at the NAFB’s 2026 Washington Watch.

Val Dolcini: