As harvest season ramps up across Iowa, farmers are facing one of the most challenging years in recent memory. With China no longer buying American soybeans, the state’s number one crop is taking a direct hit, leaving producers with few options and mounting concerns about the future.

Since May, China has completely halted soybean purchases from the United States. The move, in response to the Trump administration’s tariffs, has sent shockwaves through rural communities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, U.S. farm exports to China fell nearly 40 percent, with Iowa producers among the hardest hit.

The strain comes at a time when farmers are already struggling with higher costs. Machinery, fertilizer, and feed prices continue to climb, further squeezing family operations.

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