The global economic crisis and the ongoing war in Iraq underline why many analysts think next month's American presidential election will be the most significant in a generation.
And despite the monotonous coverage of the race for the White House between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barrack Obama, there can be no doubting the importance of the outcome for farmers both domestically and in Australia.
On the farm front biofuels, food security, fertiliser prices, trade and farm subsidies have been big talking points for both candidates as they've zigzagged their way across America.
The National Farmers Federation has been keeping a close eye on what both candidates are saying on the campaign trail, and in particular watching their commitments on trade and farm subsidies.
NFF's outgoing trade manager, Scott Mitchell, said Senator McCain and a continuing Republican administration would be better for Australian farmers.
"It's fair to say McCain would be better for Australian farmers…Obama would be worse," Mr Mitchell said.
"Obama's commitment to extending the biofuels and farm subsidies are worrying, and he is definitely more protectionist than McCain.
"The Democrats delivered a dreadful Farm Bill (for Australia).
"John McCain is more conservative and is reform-minded on the Farm Bill."
Mr Mitchell said while Mr Obama has flagged a protectionist approach, it was unclear what exactly he would actually curb trade.
He said Mr Obama had already promised a review of the North American Free Trade Agreement treaty and was not as positive as his Republican rival about concluding the Doha round.
"If Doha and the WTO negotiations are to succeed, the US will have to make significant changes and concessions with its Farm Bill and the high level of domestic support it provides to its farmers," Mr Mitchell said.
"Yet there are provisions under the current Bill to give more money to farmers which will make it hard for the Doha round to move forward."
Mr Mitchell said even if the current biofuels support program was maintained in America it would continue to have a distortionary impact on commodity prices and food security.
"Farm subsidies are shielding American farmers from the real market signals," Mr Mitchell said.
"What impact that will have in Australia is hard to say because at the moment, the biofuels surge has been positive to date on commodity prices."
Corporate editorial director of US publishing company Farm Progress, Willie Vogt, said the election comes at "an unprecedented time in our country".
Mr Vogt said there was a lot more interest among farmers in this campaign than any others he can remember.
"In this country we'll have the highest voter turnout in the past 30 years with this election," Mr Vogt said.
"This election will be historic in a number of ways and how it plays out in the next four years will be critical at a time when the world economy is soft."
He said there were mixed thoughts among farmers about the effectiveness of the Bush era.
"That depends on what they think of the Iraq War and why we're there. That is really what frames everyone's opinion of Bush these days."
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