An effort by President Donald Trump to bring down beef prices is drawing criticism from cattle producers in Iowa, where the fight over trade and farm economics could influence close races in November’s midterms. In August, Trump temporarily suspended tariffs on as much as 300,000 metric tons of imported beef, including lean trimmings used in ground beef. The administration said imports would be sold at prices 25% below the market, aiming to ease costs for consumers facing ground beef at about $6.80 a pound. But the policy has unsettled producers who say sudden changes make it harder to plan investments in their herds. Scott Birker, who runs a cattle operation near Garrison, Iowa, and serves as a regional vice president of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, said the announcement hit an already volatile market hard. The pressure on producers comes as drought has raised hay costs and reduced the U.S. cattle herd to its lowest level in 75 years, according to Iowa State University livestock economist Zach Raff. Strong consumer demand and tight supplies have helped push prices higher. The import allowance amounts to about 2% of U.S. beef consumption. Ground beef prices fell only about 13 cents per pound from August to September, while cattle prices were pushed lower. Raff said the uncertainty may also discourage ranchers from keeping heifers for breeding, slowing efforts to rebuild the herd and potentially prolonging tight supplies. The move follows other trade decisions that have frustrated some producers. China cut purchases of U.S. beef amid the trade conflict, and a February executive order reduced tariffs on some Argentine beef. Iowa’s Senate race is already putting the dispute on the campaign trail. Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is seeking the state’s open Senate seat, has criticized the import policy, saying affordability matters but that the better course is helping cattlemen grow their herds. Her Democratic opponent, state legislator Josh Turek, has argued that farmers depend on markets and free trade, while faulting Hinson’s support for other Trump policies. The issue could also figure in Iowa’s governor’s race. Democratic state auditor Rob Sand has attacked Trump’s trade policies, while Republican businessman Zach Lahn has not made similar criticisms. Republican strategist David Oman said the contests may be decided by only a few points, making the beef debate potentially consequential. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins defended the move at Iowa’s Farm Progress Show, acknowledging that the temporary tariff-quota suspension might not be popular but arguing that Trump was willing to make bold decisions for American producers. Cattleman Seth Watkins, who raises cattle near Clarinda, said the trade decisions have left him frustrated with both the president and Congress, which he says should exercise its oversight role. He plans to vote Democratic, but said farmers who backed Trump had been promised tariffs would improve markets and usher in a new era of prosperity. Birker, by contrast, said he plans to vote Republican and continues to support Trump, despite his concerns about the beef policy. The debate extends beyond Iowa: Texas, Nebraska, Montana and Kansas are also major beef-producing states with competitive races this year.