Central Valley Farmers Face Rising Costs. Is It Enough to Flip a House Seat? | KQED
Farmers and ranchers, typically a reliable Republican voting bloc, may see a shift this midterm election as federal policies drive discontent among agricultural communities.
Oct 31, 2026
Izzy Bloom
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Landon Fernandes, checking on calves at his family’s dairy farm, Fernjo Farms, in Tulare on Oct. 21, 2026, lists the ingredients of their feed:
- alfalfa hay
- corn silage
- wheat mill run
- canola meal
- cotton seed
- almond hulls
He estimates feed typically accounts for 40% of expenses, but has increased by 10% over the last year due to rising costs.
“The hardest thing about farming is you can’t control your price,” he said. “... Sometimes that’s out of your hands as well.”
Fernandes, a third-generation dairy farmer in Tulare and president of the Tulare County Farm Bureau, attributes these rising costs to:
- President Donald Trump’s trade disputes
- The war in Iran, driving up fuel prices
Higher diesel prices, crucial for powering tractors and delivering goods, also contribute to the financial strain.
- (Beth LaBerge/KQED)*