ELIZABETH — Out among farmers and ranchers, the philosophy of limited government and self-sufficiency must survive another meeting with reality.

Colorado growers average hundreds of millions of dollars a year in federal subsidies from crop payments, disaster insurance, price supports and land preservation.

Yet rural areas such as Elbert County vote 70 to 80 percent Republican, for a party that this year promises to target hidebound entitlements and cut spending across the board.

The philosophical tension can put a strain on candidates such as GOP U.S. Senate hopeful Ken Buck, who told Elbert County voters last week that he was the only candidate willing to say everyone would feel the pain of much-needed budget cuts.

And answering questions from farmers in northern Colorado last year, after the failure of New Frontier Bank cut into dairy-herd expansion, Buck said he was against bailouts for farmers just as he opposes bailing out General Motors.

“I’m against price supports generally,” Buck said, “and I think that’s basically what they’re talking about in the dairy industry.”

An audience member noted, “Dairy’s been price-supported for decades.”

Buck responded: “No doubt. And I’m against price supports generally.”

Buck’s campaign now says the candidate was talking about bailouts for the New Frontier farmers only, not agriculture subsidies in general.

“As Ken has stated repeatedly on the stump, it’s important that our country have domestic sources of energy and food,” Buck spokesman Owen Loftus said. “Ken supports working with farmers to reform the system to help both farmers and taxpayers.”

Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet says the network of support programs helps farmers overcome “extremely volatile and erratic” markets and ensure a steady, cheap food supply. The support network is “not perfect,” Bennet argues, and could be more efficient and transparent, but the federal safety net is essential.

Eastern Plains Republicans echo Bennet’s words even while supporting Buck.

“The vast majority of the farm bill goes to food stamps and school lunch programs,” said Yuma County Republican chairman Jeremy Weathers. “A small percentage goes to support those ‘farm subsidies.’ “

Farmers around Wray “don’t look forward to needing those checks,” Weathers said. “There are times when they are necessary.”

In the past decade, wheat subsidies averaged $79 million a year, according to Colorado State University. Corn averaged about $78 million a year, conservation-reserve acreage took in $75 million, livestock and dairy received $10 million, and disaster payments totaled $47 million.

The programs brought about $316 million a year to Colorado

“Americans have decided having inexpensive food is a priority,” said Elbert County Republican chairman Scott Wills. “And farmers prefer an even price so they can plan.”

Michael Booth: 303-954-1686 or mbooth@denverpost.com