Farm Bill

House Ag Committee Chairman says farm bill pesticide provisions could cause concern in the Senate

Fri, 08 May 2026 18:55:31 GMT

After a flurry of debate, votes and finally movement, the Farm Food and National Security Act of 2026 passed the U.S. House with a 224-200 vote. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson calls the legislation “transformational,” adding that 96% of GOP members in the House, the most in history, and 14 Democrats supported the bill.

“That’s the most members of the minority party who voted for a House farm bill since 2008. So, [that’s] a strong endorsement in a bipartisan way as this bill winds up in the Senate for consideration,” he says.

Despite his optimism, Thompson expressed concern over a key amendment introduced by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. The addition stripped the farm bill of pesticide liability provisions. Before the amendment, the bill’s original language reaffirmed EPA as the sole agency capable of determining the information listed on a pesticide label. Critics, including Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) advocates, worry the language would shield pesticide manufacturers from liability claims.

“I have some concerns with the pesticide provision that was added,” Thompson says. “I think it may put farmers’ health at risk and certainly drive up affordability and open the door for foreign-manufactured pesticides to flood into our country.

“I have significant concerns that the amendment that was put forward is going to create chaos [in the Senate],” he later added.

Thompson says he’s supportive of year-round E15, but because it falls under the jurisdiction of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, it will likely be taken up for a vote mid-May.

Moving Forward

Thompson says, overall, he thinks farm bill conversations in the Senate are positive. The chairman says he’s kept Sen. John Boozman, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, well informed about the bill over the last year.

“I kind of pictured my good friend, John Boozma, with a catcher’s mitt, ready to receive the Farm Food and National Security Act,” Thompson says. “He’ll have to make some modifications, and I think he’s hoping to do that mid- to late May. He knows how ... our farmers need this bill today, not tomorrow or not next year.”

New Legislation Impacting H-2A Reform

Thompson says in three to four weeks, he will likely release draft language for public discussion that would make reforms to the H-2A program. After the draft, he’ll be introducing a bill with bipartisan support, he says.

“We’ve already had some very positive discussions with our [House] Judiciary [Committee] Chairman Jim Jordan — so, [I’m] looking forward to breaking that 45-, almost 50-year gridlock of really not doing anything in this space. I think we have a great opportunity to provide certainty to agriculture workforce, which quite frankly is necessary for both food security and ultimately national security.”

House Passes 2026 Farm Bill: The Impact on U.S. Farmers

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:22:58 GMT

With a bipartisan vote of 224-200, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567 , the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, on April 30. In addition to extensive updates to food and agriculture programs in a budget-neutral package, this vote marks the farthest a farm bill has made it in Congress since the most recent reauthorization was signed into law in 2018.

After a series of floor debates and last-minute amendments, the bill now moves to the Senate with some notable changes, including:

Year-round E15 sales removed from bill to be voted on in two weeks
Late amendment includes language to strengthen the domestic supply of fertilizer
Pesticide liability protections were stripped from the bill

My amendment passed! Pesticide liability protections have been stripped from the farm bill. 🔥⚔️🔥
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) April 30, 2026

“Working in Congress on behalf of our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities is an honor — even when the work requires debating the farm bill through the night,” says House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15). “I can think of no more important work than championing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, and I am extremely pleased to see this bill pass out of the House of Representatives with a strong bipartisan vote.”

With a vote of 14 Democrats in favor, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 obtained the highest number of votes from the minority party on a House farm bill since 2008. Similarly, with over 96% of the GOP Conference voting in favor, this is the highest level of Republican support for a House farm bill in history, affirming the commitment of House Republicans to rural America.

“I especially want to thank all parties who were involved in the negotiations that allowed the farm bill to proceed to the floor and secure a future vote on year-round E15,” Thompson says. “Members of the Biofuels Caucus are tireless champions for rural America, and I look forward to joining them May 13 in advancing that important legislation.”

Swift Senate Action Needed

As the bill heads to the Senate for debate, Thompson reinforces that “farm country needs updated policy” that reflects current challenges in U.S. agriculture.

“The 2026 farm bill fills that gap,” Thompson says. “I look forward to seeing Chairman Boozman and the Senate make progress on this important legislation so we can get the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 sent to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible.”

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, along with all of the Democrats on the committee, says the committee looks forward to working with Senate Republicans on a bipartisan Farm Bill that can be successful on the Senate floor.

“We have been clear that the Farm Bill must address the needs of American farmers and families,” Klobuchar says. “With a five-year high in small farm bankruptcies, the Farm Bill must address rising input costs, provide new opportunities for domestic markets, and fight for a trade agenda that works for everyone. Senate Democrats are committed to ensuring all states are treated equally by delaying the new SNAP cost shifts and addressing the needs of farm country.”

Pesticide Amendment Passes

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s (R-Fla.) highly debated bill passed the House, stripping the farm bill of pesticide liability provisions. Before the amendment, the bill’s original language reaffirmed EPA as the sole agency capable of determining the information listed on a pesticide label. Critics, including Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) advocates, worried the language would shield pesticide manufacturers from liability claims.

D.C. consultant Callie Eideberg, with the Vogel Group, saysthe provision’s controversy means the bill will likely have an uncertain future moving forward.

“This means that pesticide companies, the chemical companies, are now still going to be dealing with the status quo, dealing with different requirements from different states,” Eideberg says.

In a post on X, Rep. Luna reaffirmed her disapproval of glyphosate and other pesticides.

“I do not support giving blanket immunity to corporations at the expense of American families. Pesticides are linked to a 30% increase in childhood cancer and over 170 studies corroborate the evidence,” Luna says.

In a press release following the bill’s approval in the lower chamber, the Modern Ag Alliance, a group backed by chemical company Bayer and over 100 agriculture companies wrote, “Today, the House turned its back on the farmers who feed, fuel and clothe this country. By gutting common-sense crop protection provisions from the farm bill, lawmakers caved to anti-science MAHA activists instead of standing with those who grow our food.”

Iowa farmer Mark Jackson says it is “unfortunate” Congress could not give farmers support for chemical weed control products. Jackson said farmers should be allowed the “freedom to farm” and said glyphosate’s scientific approval process, and the product’s 50-year registration history make it a credible product for farmers to use.

“I think we need to rally around science, follow the science,” he adds.

Eideberg says as the bill moves to the Senate, the MAHA movement could continue to influence debates. She believes the smaller body of the Senate will bring a different dynamic to the issue.

“I think we’re going to see those MAHA influencers feeling very emboldened by this win today and pushing even harder in the Senate to get more of what they’re looking for,” she says.

Farmers Praise Passage of Farm Bill
Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower says USDA programs are important to the success of corn farmers and rural communities, particularly as growers face their fourth year of net losses and struggle with high input costs.

“We look forward to working with our allies in Congress over the next two weeks to secure passage of the E15 legislation,” Bower says. “Thanks to continued efforts on this issue from our biofuel champions, Speaker Johnson promised a vote on E15, and we refuse to allow a handful of multi-million and multi-billion-dollar energy companies to derail our efforts. Allowing the year-round sale of E15 would help our growers by expanding ethanol sales while also saving consumers money at the pump at a time when fuel prices are on the rise.”

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is looking forward to the Senate taking up the farm bill without delay as farmers face unprecedented challenges.

“The House-passed 2026 Farm Bill supports the farm safety net, preserves existing conservation programs that include opportunities for dairy and livestock producers, bolsters trade promotion programs while protecting common food names, recognizes the important role of dairy in nutrition, and supports animal health programs,” said NMPF President & CEO Gregg Doud. “All of these are important priorities to dairy farmers and the broader industry, and we appreciate the leadership shown by House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson and other dairy champions to get this legislation through the House.”

U.S. pork producers are praising a very significant section that provides “much-needed relief from the misguided California Proposition 12 ” in addition to expanding the Animal Health Protection Act to include improving animal disease traceability and requiring thorough documentation on USDA’s ability to protect producers from significant economic losses due to a foreign animal disease outbreak.

Prop. 12 is creating uncertainty for pork producers and raising costs across the supply chain. Congress has a role to restore regulatory clarity.

It’s time for a fix. #FixProp12

🎥 Video credit: @HouseAgGOP pic.twitter.com/lkAmG1bmAw
— NPPC (@NPPC) April 30, 2026

“Today’s House farm bill passage is a testament to the power of rural America when we stand up for our farms and future generations with a unified voice,” said Rob Brenneman, National Pork Producers Council president and pork producer from Washington County, Iowa. “We wholeheartedly thank our champions—House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson, Rep. Ashley Hinson, and others—for not backing down from the fight for what is right for rural America. He and congressional supporters on both sides of the aisle heard our plea to help America’s pork producers.”

Eideburg points out that opposition to the farm bill pork provisions in the House are coming from several fronts.

“First, it’s coming from animal welfare groups that want to see those requirements in place,” she says. “We want to see minimum standard requirements for gestation rates. This other opposition is coming from companies and farmers who have already complied with Prop 12 and they don’t want that requirement removed because then they are going to be a) at a competitive disadvantage and b) out a ton of capital investment that they made on their to comply.”

The bill reflects many of wheat farmers’ top priorities from modernizing farm credit and safeguarding international food aid programs to enhancing export competitiveness, says National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) President Jamie Kres.

“These provisions will help ensure America’s wheat farmers can remain resilient and globally competitive,” Kres says.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane appreciates how Thompson and House leadership took the time to listen to real farmers and ranchers.

“Instead of caving to attacks on the livestock industry from shell activist groups that impersonate real producers, a bipartisan group of lawmakers advanced a bill that will provide certainty and important policy fixes for cattle country,” Lane says. “We look forward to engaging with the Senate to advance this farm bill to the president’s desk.”

Industry Says This Farm Bill is Needed Now

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) CEO Ted McKinney says this legislation supports farmers, ranchers and consumers while providing economic growth opportunities for rural communities. H.R. 7567 prioritizes provisions that strengthen local food purchasing programs, enhance international market opportunities, reauthorize the three-legged stool for foreign animal disease prevention and preserve the viability of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

The American Veterinary Medical Association says the inclusion of the Healthy Dog Importation Act is just one of the many key veterinary provisions they applaud in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. This would improve importation standards to ensure a dog is healthy when imported into the U.S., which is especially important considering New World screwworm in Mexico continues to move closer to the U.S. border.

“The AVMA applauds the House for advancing a Farm Bill that will strengthen dog importation standards, fund and assess federal programs vital to veterinary medicine, and protect the country’s animal and public health,” says Dr. Michael Q. Bailey, AVMA president. “Enacting the Farm Bill is essential to advancing research into effective recruitment and retention strategies for veterinarians serving in rural and underserved communities. With the legislation now moving to the Senate for consideration, we look forward to working further with Congress and will continue to underscore the importance of including veterinary priorities in the final version of the Farm Bill.”

Now, Not Tomorrow

After voting in support of the bill, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) says, “Rural America needs a new Farm Bill now, not tomorrow. With today’s passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, House Republicans have once again reaffirmed our commitment to American agriculture and delivered for hardworking growers and producers.”

Eideburg says funding for SNAP program will likely be a major fight in the Senate. The “One Big Beautiful Bill” shifted some costs within the program to state governments. She says the funding restructure and the combined potential vote to ban soda from SNAP could cause tension in the upper chamber.

She also says year-round E15 provisions, which were taken from the farm bill and punted for a vote in the House next week, could see as much opposition in the Senate.

“This really is a big hurdle to get E15, year-round E15 over the line.”

Don’t Be Fooled: Animal Rights Activists Pose as Family Farmers

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:05:48 GMT

Recently, several new activist groups have been using proclaimed farmers as prominent features in legislative campaigns aimed at preserving state “animal welfare” laws like California’s Proposition 12 . But who are these organizations – and are they really speaking for farmers?

Last fall, the Animal Agriculture Alliance noticed a trend of groups like Farm Action and Humane World Action Fund running ads claiming “family farmers” are in favor of upholding Prop12 and encouraging opposition to federal efforts to overturn the law. The ads claimed that Prop 12 “created a market that gives family-run farms like ours a fighting chance.”

Farm Action, a group with a purposely misleading name, is run by two former Humane World for Animals (HSUS) staff. The group endorses anti-animal agriculture legislation while claiming that they are working to “protect the future of family farms,” and organized a Congressional fly-in event last year to speak with legislators. Similarly, the activist-backed American Meat Producers Association, also led by a former Humane World for Animals (HSUS) staffer, was launched last year and has also been involved in similar efforts in D.C. to support Prop 12. The group said that they are working to “give a voice on policy issues and protect state laws that are good for family farmers,” while misleading lawmakers that these voices – heavily influenced by leadership that has strong ties to anti-animal agriculture organizations – speak for the entirety of producers.

These efforts in D.C. in support of California’s Prop 12 and in opposition to the EATS Act, now renamed the Save Our Bacon Act, were lauded by other anti-animal agriculture groups like Mercy for Animals, which wrote a blog in November about the “hundreds of farmers [sending] a strong message on Capitol Hill.” If you look deeper into the connections of these organizations, it’s hard to believe that these “farmers” would want to align themselves with groups that ultimately want to put all animal agriculture out of business.

In January, The Center for the Environment & Welfare issued a report breaking down some of the alleged “supporters” of California’s Prop 12 that were listed on a letter circulating on Capitol Hill. In the letter, Humane World for Animals had claimed that 5,000 farms across 39 states support Prop 12’s “animal welfare standards,” however, after a thorough review, it was found that this list included over 100 wineries, 150 honey producers, a goat yoga practitioner, and an urban garden – not a very accurate depiction of farmers that are actually impacted by these housing standards and supply chain restrictions.

Most recently, with the House Ag Committee passing a Farm Bill that includes preemption language related to Prop 12, we have continued to see animal rights activists scramble for support. Many groups have put out rapid “calls to action” on social media and through e-mail blasts asking their supporters to reach out to legislators. Some of these efforts seem to be aimed at major conservative commentators and policymakers, signaling attempts by activist groups to reach nontraditional audiences. A recent article in the LA Times claimed that “even conservatives are mad” about Proposition 12 and, while using an activist-provided stock photo from outside of the United States, referenced “intensive corporate-owned mega-farms.” In the article, an alleged farmer and “self-described conservative Republican” claimed that gestation stalls are not “proven to be good science.” This kind of content directly opposes the work that has been done in partnership by farmers, academia, and industry to make sure that pigs, whatever housing system they are in, are raised in environments that balance the best for their welfare and environmental sustainability, all while creating a nutritious, affordable protein for consumers.

It’s not hard to see why animal rights activists are trying to appear as representing farmers and ranchers. According to Gallup polling , farming and agriculture is America’s most trusted sector over the past 25 years. This new wave of organizations and tactics seems to be an attempt at distracting and confusing the public and policymakers, drowning out the perspectives of longstanding grassroots organizations who do count farmers and ranchers responsible for putting meat, poultry, dairy, eggs and seafood on American plates among their membership. It’s imperative that we look beyond the facades that these groups want you to see to understand their true intent. That second look at groups claiming to be aligned with farmers and asking for support could be hugely impactful to major legislative changes that seek to alter the future of our food supply.

Abby Kornegay is the director of issues and engagement for the Animal Agriculture Alliance.

American Agriculture Deserves the Certainty of a Farm Bill

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:52:49 GMT

American agriculture deserves the certainty that comes with a farm bill, says National Pork Producers Council CEO Bryan Humphreys.

“It is not a request of American agriculture that we get a farm bill through the House and through the Senate, it is an expectation of American agriculture and the U.S. pork industry that we get a farm bill with the solutions we have asked for across the line,” Humphreys said at the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City.

He’s appreciative of the long hours put in by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and the bipartisan support of both Republicans and Democrats to get the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 , or Farm Bill 2.0, through the House Agriculture Committee.

Affordable Food Should Not Be a Luxury

America’s pork producers want the same thing consumers want – an affordable, safe and delicious food supply. Pat Hord, an Ohio pig farmer, appreciates the Trump administration’s focus on food affordability and is optimistic about how Farm Bill 2.0 could help make that a reality.

Hord testified on behalf of America’s pork producers to the House Agriculture Committee last summer about the effects of Proposition 12.

“The Supreme Court said, ‘Hey, this is an issue for Congress to fix.’ We can argue whether the Supreme Court got it right or not on this, but the bottom line is they said it needs to go back to Congress to fix,” Hord says. “We’re doing what they’ve asked us to do because we know it’s not sustainable to have a patchwork of a bunch of states requiring different things.”

As a pig farmer, it makes him uneasy to think about what could happen if different production standards continue to be forced onto farmers. But he points out that in the end, consumers will suffer the most.

“We’ve documented the effects of Prop 12 and how it has lowered pork consumption in California and increased prices for consumers,” Hord says.

Food affordability is just one of the reasons why Thompson has worked so hard to find a fix for Prop 12 in the farm bill.

“In California today, I’m told there are grocery stores that now sell bacon by the slice and not the slab because people can’t afford it,” Thompson explains. “Consumption of pork products has dropped because affordability has been reduced significantly. The cost has gone up. People who are struggling financially probably aren’t eating pork products at all, and those middle class are making decisions and maybe choosing other proteins they’re able to get more for their money.”

Stop the Patchwork of Regulations

Beyond pork producers, Humphreys says everybody in the country needs to understand what a patchwork of 50 different state regulations would do to all of American agriculture, manufacturing, automotive and more.

“Everyone should be calling their members of Congress and demanding a solution to this, because it’s beyond just agriculture,” he says. “This is something if we don’t get fixed, will plague the entire U.S. economy.”

Humphreys urges people to call their members of Congress to remind them of the importance of the stability that will come from passing Farm Bill 2.0.

Farm Bill 2.0 Clears Bipartisan House Agriculture Committee

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:42:36 GMT

After a markup that lasted over 20 hours, the House Committee on Agriculture passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee. Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) says the legislation reflects the will of the committee, and it is filled with bipartisan provisions that will move the needle for farmers, ranchers and rural Americans across the country.

“Throughout this markup, it became clearer than ever before that our country needs a new farm bill, and we don’t need it next year, or next Congress. We need it now,” Thompson says. “I look forward to working in good faith with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we move toward a final vote on the House floor.”

Pork Producers Urge Passage Through House

Commonly referred to as Farm Bill 2.0, the legislation boasts relief for pork producers facing an “imminent patchwork” of state animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12, a state law that puts small farmers on the chopping block, increases the risk of industry consolidation, and undermines states’ rights.

“Pork producers of all shapes and sizes need this regulatory relief and are grateful for Chairman Thompson’s steady commitment to providing relief from state laws outside our borders,” says Duane Stateler, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president and pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “Now, it is up to the full House of Representatives to finish the job: pass this farm bill and give agricultural producers across the country true freedom to farm.”

Along with a dozen national farm, agriculture and transportation groups, NPPC is calling on Congress to “fix this mess immediately.” The coalition’s ask is simple: one state law should not be forced on agricultural producers across the country.

In addition to providing regulatory relief from Prop 12, the Farm Bill 2.0 also acted on additional U.S. pork producer priorities, including:

Funding and converting the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program into a full program.
Increasing funding for critical agricultural trade promotion programs, including the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, E. Kika de la Garza Emerging Markets Program, Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops, and Priority Trade Fund.
Requiring USDA to report how changes to or expiration of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will affect agriculture.
Establishing the Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force to better identify and overcome trade barriers.
Expanding the Animal Health Protection Act to include improving animal disease traceability.
Allowing the establishment of additional training centers and programs under the Beagle Brigade Act.
Requiring thorough documentation on USDA’s ability to protect producers from significant economic losses due to a foreign animal disease outbreak.
Capping administrative expenses for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, allowing a higher percentage of funds to be used for research.
Requiring USDA to conduct research and development on a policy to insure pork producers against financial losses from a catastrophic disease.

State Departments of Agriculture Voice Support

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) commends the committee for prioritizing provisions that strengthen local food purchasing programs, enhance international market opportunities through a doubling of the Market Access Program, reauthorize the three-legged stool for foreign animal disease prevention, and reaffirm pesticide authorities. These measures reflect key priorities of state departments of agriculture and reinforce the importance of a unified farm bill that supports U.S. farmers, ranchers and consumers.

“NASDA supports this legislation and congratulates Chairman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson and members of the House Agriculture Committee for moving the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 forward,” says NASDA CEO Ted McKinney. “Advancing this legislation out of committee with a bipartisan vote marks an important step toward delivering the certainty and support America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities urgently need.”

House Ag Committee Starts Farm Bill Mark Up

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:24:41 GMT

The push to get a five-year farm bill has been renewed in the House Ag Committee as Chairman G.T. Thompson released language and mark up began on Tuesday.

One Big Beautiful Bill Omits Farm Bill Titles

While some question why a new long term farm bill is needed, a cross section of the nation’s farm groups explain the bill did not cover all the titles normal included in a long-term farm bill.

“We had a lot of the provisions of the farm bill that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill — the increase in reference prices, some changes and improvements to crop insurance, etc. But there’s still some really important aspects of the farm bill that need to be passed,” says Steve Censky, chief executive officer of the American Soybean Association.

Sam Kieffer, chief executive officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers, points out the One Big Beautiful Bill did not touch the conservation title or reauthorize programs like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Nor did the legislation deal with credit or expand farm loan limits.

“It is time to give our folks some certainty when it comes to conservation programs, when it comes to credit. The cost of doing business is drastically different than it was in 2018. And the 2018 Farm Bill was based off of data from three, four years prior. So, we want to make sure that we improve the credit section of of the farm bill, get that finished,” Kieffer says.

Farm Safety Net Needed

Kieffer adds a farm bill is also needed to provide certainty to farmers and offer a farm safety net in times of negative margins.

“There’s three years of market loss that our growers are struggling with at the moment, and they’re making hard decisions. Some of them are reducing acres, some of them are letting land go and there’s a price to be paid for that as well,” Kieffer says.

House Ag Committee Language Includes Prop 12 Ag Labeling Uniformity Act

Chairman Thompson’s farm bill language includes a Ag Labeling Uniformity Act, which covers pesticide registrations, according to Censky.

“Which means that the EPA is going to have preeminence when they make a health and safety determination of a pesticide, a crop protection product. You can’t have a state adopt different rules,” Censky says.

The House language also includes a national fix to California’s strict Prop 12 sow production standards and the possible patchwork of rules in other states.

However, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) would lose around $1 billion in budget authority over the next four fiscal years under the House Agriculture Committee’s GOP farm bill draft, according to calculations by the Congressional Budget Office. EQIP was essentially used as a funding source for other priorities in the legislation.

Include Food for Peace Program

Kieffer says NAWG also wants Congress to move the Food for Peace Program to USDA in the language of the Farm Bill.

“USDA knows how to deal with farm commodities. USDA is already in the business of engaging in food aid programs globally. They have the infrastructure. They have the personnel and they understand agriculture. So, the farm bill that is ready to be moved in the house here soon has a provision that would include that,” Kieffer adds.

Senate Preparing for Farm Bill Mark Up

While the Senate Agriculture Committee has not released farm bill language or scheduled a mark-up, chairman John Boozman told Agri-Pulse his committee will take up a farm bill of its own in the coming months. Timing will be dependent in part on how debate over a House version proceeds.

Will Congress Pass a Farm Bill?

Still there’s uncertainty about the appetite for passage of a farm bill in Congress according to Tim Lust, chief executive officer of National Sorghum Producers.

“A lot of these details honestly have been negotiated for a year or two, and it’s maybe little tweaks to them, but a lot of the main things haven’t really changed. It’s a matter of how do we get that across the finish line and find a way to get it signed into law?” he says.

From the Outside In: Why This Farm Bill is Different

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:57:40 GMT

U.S. farmers and ranchers are currently operating under 2018 policies, and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) says those 2018 policies are no match for 2026 challenges.

“There’s no better example than California’s Proposition 12 and the issue it is causing for the swine industry,” Thompson told pork producers at the Illinois Swine Mixer on Feb. 17. “Like the farm bill we passed out of committee in 2024, the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 includes a fix to Prop 12. At the end of day, it’s not common sense to allow a small percentage of California voters to dictate how someone in Illinois or anywhere else in the country raises their animals.”

He says the House Agriculture Committee has been busy preparing the farm bill by “using what God has given us – that’s two ears and one mouth – with the dedication to listening at least twice as much as what we speak.”

They have traveled to 43 different states and one territory, holding more than 150 listening sessions.

“We’ve done this from the perspective of legislating from the outside in,” Thompson says. “Agriculture is anything but typical. We work on your behalf. That’s why we came out on farms and ranches, and we sat down and talked to people to find out, maybe not what you wanted, but what you needed.”

We Need a Farm Bill Now

As the House Agriculture Committee prepares to meet on Feb. 23 to review the 803-page document, Thompson says he’s hopeful they can get this passed through the House by Easter, April 5.

“I think the odds are pretty darn good, and the need is even greater when you look at the financial stresses on the American farmer and rancher today,” he says. “We have to get this done.”

Thompson says he wants farmers and ranchers to know that they recognize how bad things are right now. But most importantly, he wants them to know they care.

“Those are not just empty words,” Thompson says. “We’ve been working really hard, actually for a couple years, to prepare what will be one of the most effective farm bills. With 20% of it already approved with a $66 billion investment, we’re really putting our actions to where our words are. There are more good things to happen with what we’re going to mark up next week. We know how bad things are, we recognize that, but we’re working to do something about that.”

Prop 12 Is Causing More Problems

Despite these challenging times in agriculture, Thompson is proud of how many U.S. pork producers have adapted to capture the Prop 12 market, but he said some are finding they don’t have quite the market now because people are eating less pork in California, a state known for its pork consumption.

Food affordability is just one of the reasons why he has worked so hard to find a fix for Prop 12 in the farm bill.

“In California today, I’m told there are grocery stores that now sell bacon by the slice and not the slab because people can’t afford it,” he explains. “Consumption of pork products has dropped because affordability has been reduced significantly. The cost has gone up. People who are struggling financially probably aren’t eating pork products at all, and those middle class are making decisions and maybe choosing other proteins they’re able to get more for their money.”

Most importantly, Prop 12 is a slippery slope. One state should not impose agricultural practices on other states, he says.

“Constitutionally, it’s just wrong,” Thompson says. “The Supreme Court said this is something Congress should do, and so we’re doing it. If you allow this to stand, the question is, what will come next in terms of overriding agriculture or animal science with political science?”

Beyond the Farm Bill: Labor and USMCA

While the farm bill continues to be Thompson’s main focus right now, he is also focused on agricultural labor and the renegotiation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade agreement. One of the most common requests he gets from farmers is about reforming the agricultural labor system.

“I organized an ag labor working group in the last Congress to have the hard conversations about what was working and what wasn’t,” he says. “We needed certainty. We needed reliability. Without workforce, we have food insecurity. With food insecurity, we have national insecurity. The implications of that are significant.”

The bipartisan group of eight Republicans and eight Democrats developed “practical solutions that work on both sides of the aisle.” In the end, the final report included 15 solutions recommended unanimously by the working group and informed by producers and processors who testified before the committee.

He says they are putting the finishing touches on the discussion draft, which looks very similar to the recommendations that came out of this working group. The three topics addressed regarding the H-2A visa program are expanding access to include year-round for the livestock industry, controlling costs and streamlining the overall process.

“The goal is to put out a discussion draft after we’re done with the victory celebration of at least passing the farm bill out of the House Committee,” he says. “I don’t want to let it hang out there long because it is critically important. We need to get moving, but we will probably give at least three weeks of opportunity for input in a discussion draft. We’ll take those comments back, make some final tweaks if needed or if indicated, and then we’ll get the bill introduced.”

On the trade front, he says USMCA has been a great benefit to American agriculture, resulting in over $60 billion in exports to Canada and Mexico since it was signed into law. For the pork industry alone, these exports represent a 66% increase in value since enactment, he adds.

“I know the agreement’s not perfect, and there are various things I’d like to see addressed during this negotiation,” Thompson says. “But more importantly, I’d like to know from you as we go forward what you would like to see in this renegotiation.”

Don’t Be Quiet Now

Farmer and rancher input is always of great value to legislators, but especially now.

“Your voice matters and you have a role to play in getting a new farm bill across the line,” Thompson says. “Find time in your busy schedules to stand up and speak out. Send emails, make phone calls, reach out to your congressional delegation. We’ve got a lot on our hands in 2026 in the ag committee, but I want you to know we are on your side and will keep fighting for you every day in Congress.”

Chairman Thompson’s Farm Bill 2.0 Includes Federal Fix for Prop 12

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 22:22:12 GMT

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s (R-PA) Farm Bill 2.0 includes a federal fix to the “massive issues caused by the impending and disastrous patchwork of state laws spurred by California Proposition 12,” National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) said.

The House Agriculture Committee released the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 on Feb. 13. The text includes clarification that states and local governments cannot impose, directly or indirectly, as a condition for sale or consumption, a condition or standard on the production of covered livestock unless the livestock is physically located within such state or local government. In addition, the text:

Provides clarity to national markets by ensuring producers must only comply with applicable production standards imposed by their own state or local government.
Protects producers from having to comply with a patchwork of state-by-state regulations.
Protects the rights of states and local governments to establish standards as they deem necessary, but only for those raising covered livestock within their own borders.
Only covers production (excluding domestic animals raised for the primary purpose of egg production), and does not include the movement, harvesting or further processing of covered livestock.

“America’s pork producers thank Chairman Thompson for continuing to take bold steps once again to protect our livelihoods from an unsustainable patchwork of state laws,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler, an Ohio pork producer. “We implore the full House Agriculture Committee to stand up for the American farmer, preserve states’ rights and help keep pork affordable for the American consumers.”

Prop 12 Problems

NPPC said Chairman Thompson and other leaders in D.C. remain dedicated to protecting producers’ freedom to farm by finding a solution to Prop 12. NPPC detailed the following problems that continue to plague Americans because of Prop 12:

Tramples on states’ rights
“Prop 12 sets a precedent that undermines the foundation of interstate commerce, allowing a single state to dictate how food is produced across the country—even when that food is produced outside its borders,” NPPC said. “Fixing Prop 12 protects the rights of states by allowing each the exclusive right to regulate how livestock are produced within their borders.”
- In passing Prop 12, California violated Congress’ exclusive constitutional authority to regulate interstate commerce. Congressional action to fix this is rooted in Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution: “The Congress shall have the power … To regulate commerce … among the several states” (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3).
A patchwork of regulations
“Prop 12 sets the stage for a patchwork of 50 state laws, dictating different versions of animal housing laws, which all producers—no matter the state they farm in— must comply with if they want to sell their pork to all consumers,” NPPC said.
- NPPC Vice President and Ohio pork producer Pat Hord, who has retrofitted his barns to be Prop 12-compliant, has told Congress that compliance does not future-proof farmers from more financial burdens if patchwork laws are not addressed.
  
  “Whatever I do today could need to be changed when a new state decides they want a different housing standard,” Hord said. “These are expensive changes, and some farmers may exit the business amid this uncertainty, which increases consolidation.”
Industry consolidation
“Prop 12 leads to industry consolidation, potentially crushing small and medium-sized farms,” NPPC said. “While even large farms cannot sustain ongoing changes to sow housing laws, they are more likely to be able to afford the initial changes mandated by Prop 12. Contrarily, smaller and independent producers often cannot. This means fewer family farms and reduced competition across the industry.”
- In the first quarter of 2025, NPPC reports that 12% of small pork operations ( less than 500 sows) exited the market or shifted production away from breeding due to compliance costs and uncertainty, according to USDA.
Ignores the experts
“Prop 12 ignores expert veterinary advice and chips away at sound veterinary options,” NPPC wrote. “The American Veterinary Medical Association says Prop 12 does ‘not objectively improve animal welfare and may unintentionally cause harm.’”
- The housing requirement established by Prop 12 is arbitrary, lacks a scientific or animal welfare foundation, and disregards the expertise of producers and veterinarians whose professional responsibility is to safeguard animal health, NPPC said.
Raises prices for consumers
“Prop 12 makes pork less affordable at the grocery store,” NPPC pointed out. “The latest data shows increased retail prices in California are still more than 20% higher than before Prop 12 took effect.”
Trade issues
“Prop 12 causes problems with trading partners,” NPPC explained. “Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, for example, states are not permitted to create non-tariff barriers to trade.”

A Modern Bill for Modern Challenges

“This bill provides modern policies for modern challenges and is shaped by years of listening to the needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural Americans,” Thompson said. “The farm bill affects our entire country, regardless of whether you live on a farm, and I look forward to seeing my colleagues in Congress work together to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”

Thompson said a new farm bill is long overdue, and the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 is an important step forward in providing certainty to farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

“We made historic agricultural investments last summer in the Working Families Tax Cuts (H.R. 1), but there are many key policy components that remain to be addressed,” Thompson said. “With that in mind, the House Committee on Agriculture will begin marking up a new farm bill February 23.”

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02) said review of the legislative text is ongoing.

“Based on what I know, the Republican farm bill fails to meet the moment facing farmers and working people,” Craig said. “Farmers need Congress to act swiftly to end inflationary tariffs, stabilize trade relationships, expand domestic market opportunities like year-round E15 and help lower input costs. The Republican majority instead chose to ignore Democratic priorities and focus on pushing a shell of a farm bill with poison pills that complicates if not derails chances of getting anything done.”

A fix for Prop 12 is backed by nearly 1,000 agriculture groups across more than 40 states, including the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) praised efforts by Thompson and the House Agriculture Committee to put together a farm bill that will bring greater certainty to producers at a difficult time.

“Dairy farmers look forward to working with House members and senators as this legislation makes its way through Congress, and we pledge our support in crafting the best legislation possible,” NMPF said.

The House Committee on Agriculture will begin marking up a new farm bill Feb. 23, Thompson said.

Congressional Agriculture Leaders Agree on Advancing Workforce, Farm Bill in 2026

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:01:58 GMT

As the second half of the 119th Congress gets into full swing, lawmakers are looking to act on a number of priorities, including passage of a fiscal 2026 funding bill and a new farm bill.

The 2026 fiscal year started Oct. 1, 2025, and the government currently is operating through January under a continuing resolution.

Farm bills govern agricultural and food policy and are typically in place for five years. However, the 2018 Farm Bill expired in Sept. 2023 and subsequently has been extended several times.

Speaking recently at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) said his committee likely will consider a new farm bill markup in late February. Likewise, Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, indicated farm legislation will get done this year.

It is unclear whether the farm bill will include a fix to California Proposition 12, which bans the sale in that state of pork from hogs born to sows raised anywhere in housing that does not meet California’s arbitrary standards. Thompson said he supports inclusion of a fix, meanwhile Boozman highlighted concerns that inclusion would divide Senate lawmakers, making it harder to pass a bill.

Agriculture Committee leaders also agreed that agriculture’s workforce shortage should be addressed by reforming immigration laws. Current law allows such laborers only for temporary and seasonal farm work. Based on recommendations from the bipartisan Agriculture Labor Working Group, with which NPPC worked closely, Thompson is expected to introduce legislation that includes reform to the H-2A visa program for immigrant farmworkers in the first quarter of this year.

In related news, a lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court Eastern District of California Fresno Division following the U.S. Department of Labor’s publication of the interim final rule, which modified the methodology for calculating the hourly adverse effect wage rate for H-2A nonimmigrant workers. NPPC is monitoring the litigation and will keep members updated.

NPPC’s take:
NPPC supports quick passage of a new farm bill that fixes the problems caused by Proposition 12.

NPPC continues to advocate for the year-round needs for labor in the pork industry. Statutory reform to the H-2A program would allow producers to better utilize the program to continue to supply consumers with affordable and nutritious pork.

Another Temporary Fix: Stopgap Bill Includes Farm Bill Extension — Is This the New Normal for Ag Policy?

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:35:52 GMT

A new stopgap spending bill to reopen the government also extends key Farm Bill programs for one year—covering the provisions left out of July’s budget package. While the Senate waits on the House to vote, it brings up what some economists think may be a new reality: the days of passing a comprehensive Farm Bill may be over, and a piecemeal approach could be the new norm in Washington.

It’s been about 6 years and 11 months since Congress passed a new, comprehensive (5-year) farm bill. This week, the continuing resolution (CR), which funds the federal government through January 30, includes an extension of the current farm bill, again. This prevents outdated “permanent law” provisions from taking effect. Without action, those Depression-era statutes could have triggered mandatory price supports for certain commodities, disrupting markets.

The bill also includes an extension of the U.S. Grain Standards Act, ensuring official grain inspection and weighing services continue without interruption.

Senate Votes 60–40 to Advance the Measure

The Senate advanced the package in a 60–40 vote Sunday night, providing farmers relief from uncertainty over whether core safety-net programs might lapse.

An earlier package dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” increased funding for commodity programs, crop insurance, and export promotion, but it left out several smaller and conservation-related initiatives—including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The new CR temporarily fills that gap while Congress works toward a full Farm Bill reauthorization.

Boozman: “Critical USDA Services Resume”

Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, praised the bill’s passage, emphasizing its importance for both producers and rural communities.

“Ending the government shutdown ensures critical USDA services resume so vulnerable families no longer experience disruptions to nutrition benefits, farmers can access the programs and personnel they rely on to keep their operations running efficiently and disaster assistance is delivered,” Boozman said in a statement.“We advanced long-overdue farm bill policy improvements in the One Big Beautiful Bill, including enhanced risk management tools farmers have been calling for, and we’re continuing work to reauthorize other key initiatives. Extending the farm bill and the U.S. Grain Standards Act gives us more time to finalize these programs essential to farmers, ranchers and rural America.”

Is This the New Norm?

The extension buys lawmakers additional time to complete a comprehensive Farm Bill reauthorization, expected to be one of the top legislative priorities in early 2026.

But the loss of urgency to pass a new, comprehensive five-year farm bill may be due to the fact Congress included key enhancements to the Farm Safety Net in the One Big Beautiful Bill earlier this year. The Farm Journal Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor asked economists in July if that makes it more difficult or easier to pass a Farm Bill this year. 70% said yes. And in September, the Monthly Monitor asked when Congress will pass a new farm bill. Nearly 40% (39%) said a piecemeal approach for passing the farm bill is the new norm.

According to the Congressional Research Service, Sections 10101 and 10108 (Title I, Agriculture) would increase federal outlays by about $52.3 billion + $1.6 billion over 10 years.

The American Farm Bureau Federation says the bill directs about $65.6 billion in new agricultural investment over 10 years: ~$59 billion for core farm safety-net enhancements, ~$6.6 billion for other ag priorities.

Key Farm Bill-style Provisions in the OBBB

Here’s a breakdown of major provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that impact legislation within the Farm Bill:

1. Extension & enhancement of commodity support / safety-net programs

The bill extends core programs originally in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) through crop year 2031.
Reference prices under the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program are raised.
The Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) program’s revenue guarantee is increased (for example, from 86% to 90%) and maximum payment rates increased.
Marketing Assistance Loan rates are increased.
The bill provides a one-time opportunity for eligible producers to update base acres (“new base acre holdings”).

2. Crop insurance and disaster assistance

Premium subsidies for crop insurance increase; the bill boosts coverage levels for the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) and Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) policies.
Disaster assistance programs are expanded: loss types eligible are broadened, thresholds for payment triggers are lowered, and coverage levels increased.

3. Dairy, sugar, and specialty commodities

For dairy: The bill increases the amount of milk production a producer can enroll in the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. Also, it requires dairy product manufacturers to report cost/yield data so that “make allowances” under the federal milk marketing order system can be updated.
For sugar: Under the sugar support program, priority is given to sugar-beet processors if marketing allotments are raised; the bill also mandates reallocation of tariff-rate quota shortfalls by March 1 and requires USDA to report on refined sugar imports.

4. Agricultural research, animals, trust funds, and miscellaneous programs

Section 10108 of the bill funds: the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, National Animal Disease Preparedness Response Program, and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank.
Extends funding for trust funds supporting pima cotton, wool, certain textile, and citrus industries.
Miscellaneous investments in horticulture, energy (for agriculture), trade promotion, and rural infrastructure also included.

While nothing is easy in Washington, it seems addressing portions of farm bill funding within other legislation is the path of least resistance. Which could change the way farm bills are shaped - and passed through Congress- in the years ahead.

Opposition to the Farm Bill Extension

While most farm groups applaud the one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) says it comes with potential issues for small and medium size farmers.

“The Senate’s deal to reopen the government has a number of problems that will hurt farmers and rural communities. The Senate attaches a 12-month Farm Bill extension to the deal, setting up the possibility for more chaos just a year from now,” says Michael Happ, Program Associate for Climate and Rural Communities. “Even worse, it is not a clean extension. The text proposes eliminating payment limitations for Farm Bill conservation programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). In most years, well over half of applicants to EQIP are turned away due to a lack of funds — and without payment limits, the USDA will likely issue fewer, larger EQIP contracts. By getting rid of the payment limit, the Senate opens the door for more of EQIP’s finite resources to be diverted to the largest operations while more small and midscale farms are closed out.”

IATP is urging the Senate needs to keep payment limits in place and go back to the negotiating table.

What's Missing in the Big Beautiful Bill When It Comes to Agriculture?

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:04:35 GMT

The fate of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is with the Senate. The 1,000-page bill includes nearly $4.9 trillion in tax breaks and budget cuts, and is also packed with priorities that cover agriculture . That includes one provision that will allow community banks to pass along lower interest rates to ag producers. However, not all of agriculture’s wants are in the bill.

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) recently dug into the details of the massive bill being debated in Washington. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the House-passed version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would increase spending for agriculture-facing programs by $56.6 billion over the next decade. Of that increase, $52.3 billion is for enhancements to the current farm safety net, including higher reference prices for ARC and PLC, and $4.3 billion is for trade promotion, livestock biosecurity, research and rural school funding.

According to AFBF, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would increase agriculture-facing programs spending by $56.6 billion over the next decade (fiscal years 2025–2034).

(American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) )

According to AFBF, here’s what the current version of the bill includes for farm bill provisions (Title 1, Subtitle B-Investment in Rural America):

Updates and funding for many core agriculture titles through 2031.
Enhancements to safety nets including ARC, PLC and Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) through the 2031 crop year.
Increases to reference prices for major covered commodities between 11% to 21% under the farm bill provisions of the bill.
Addition of a reference price escalator mechanism beginning in the 2031 crop year, which AFBF says would increase reference prices by 0.5% annually on a compounded basis. That increase is capped at 115% of the original statuary value.
Permits for farmers to add up to 30 million new base acres
Updates to ARC by adjusting revenue guarantee and the payment cap beginning in 2025. That would increase the coverage threshold to 90% of benchmark revenue, and increase the payment cap of 10% to 12.5%.
Enhancements to the DMC program and an increase of Tier 1 coverage eligibility from 5 million pounds to 6 million pounds per farm.

Proposed changes to the safety net

(AFBF)

Changes to Conservation Programs
AFBF’s analysis of the reconciliation bill shows long-term funding authority for USDA’s major conservation programs will continue through 2031. That includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

The levels are higher than what was included in the 2018 farm bill, but align with funding under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), making these programs permanent baseline versus new program expansions.

AFBF says the bill doesn’t retain all IRA-funded initiatives.

“For example, it rescinds $450 million in unobligated IRA funds that had been allocated for competitive forestry grants to non-federal landowners. According to the Congressional Budget Office, these adjustments collectively result in a net reduction of $1.8 billion in conservation spending over the next decade,” said the AFBF analysis. “The bill also renews smaller initiatives that were not funded in the last farm bill extension. This includes the Grassroots Source Water Protection program, which safeguards well water, and the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive program, which rewards farmers for opening land to hunting and recreation. In addition, the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, a vital initiative to combat over $1.6 billion in annual damages caused by invasive wild pigs, is extended with new funding through 2031.”

Focus on Trade
Another important element included in the House version of the Big Beautiful Bill includes establishing a new Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation Program, which would be similar to Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD), while also providing $285 million annually in permanent, mandatory funding through a separate account.

“Because the bill does not modify or replace MAP or FMD, which are typically funded at $200 million and $34.5 million per year, respectively, the new program effectively doubles USDA’s total trade promotion capacity,” said AFBF’s analysis.

National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) CEO Bryan Humphreys says the trade portion of the bill, as well as the tax provisions, are a “win” for livestock producers.

“We’re very pleased with what came out of the House version. We included in there were animal health priorities, some additional funding for MAP and FMD to promote our product internationally, and then, of course, the tax package was included in there on things like 179, bonus depreciation and estate taxes,” he says. “We are very pleased those were in there even if some of our other assets we need to be in the farm bill weren’t able to make it in there.”

Humphreys says the House version of the reconciliation bill includes funding for animal health priorities, including $233 million per year on animal disease prevention and response.

What’s Not in the Bill?
According to Humphreys, there’s one major priority that didn’t make it into the Big Beautiful Bill — and that’s provisions for Prop 12.

“We still need a farm bill to address Proposition 12 in California. At the end of the day, this is an issue that, as California continues to regulate outside of their borders, is not just a pork industry issue. It is an American agriculture issue,” he says. “We’ve been asking — along with the American Farm Bureau, Corn, Soy and others — for Congress to address this issue of California regulating farmers outside of their borders. And we still need that to be addressed.”

Humphreys says a farm bill is still needed to address Proposition 12 in California. But if a farm bill doesn’t happen this year, Humphreys says NPPC is exploring other options to do it.

“Even though there are other solutions for Proposition 12 and other potential vehicles out there that we’ll continue to explore with our friends on the Hill, at the end of the day, we still believe as American pork producers that America and the pork industry need a farm bill — a skinny version, a large version or whatever. We need to maintain that coalition not just for now, but for decades to come as well. We’re not ready to give up on that yet,” Humphreys says.

Renewable Energy In The Bill
Energy programs are another area of focus under the reconciliation bill. According to AFBF, USDA’s farm energy and biofuel programs are reauthorized through 2031 to spur renewable energy innovation in rural America. That would include the Biobased Markets Program, which is a program that promotes biobased products through federal procurement. It also addresses the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, which provides payments to producers of biodiesel, cellulosic ethanol and other next-generation fuels.

Tax Provisions That Would Benefit Ag

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer calls the tax provisions within the House version of the bill “very favorable for agriculture,” rating them a 8 or 9 out of 10. Here’s why:

As of Jan. 20, farmers will have 100% bonus depreciation for the next four years
The Section 199A deduction that was at the 20% level will now be bumped up to the 23% level.
Cooperative deductions will still be included
Starting next year, Section 179 will increase to $2.5 million, up from $1 million
An increase in the gift tax exemption amounts to $15 million per individual and $30 million per couple, adjusted for inflation annually.

Neiffer say farmers who’ve built net worth through land or other assets, there’s a piece of the legislation that will also benefit them.

“The lifetime exemption starting next year will be $15 million, and it’s made permanent,” Neiffer says.

Lower Interest Rates for Ag Producers?

If the bill passes, agricultural producers could also see lower interets rates for loans. According to Jeff T. Kanger, president of First State Bank in Lincoln, Nebraska, there’s another provision that will allow community banks to pass along lower interest rates to ag producers and rural housing.

“The community banks have less tax exposure and can therefore pass along some interest savings to customers,” Kanger told AgWeb. “This provision is very important to a lot of our growers.”

It’s called the “Exclusion of interest on loans secured by rural or agricultural real property.” According to the provision text, it “allows for a partial exclusion of interest on certain loans secured by rural or agricultural real estate. Speciﬁcally, it allows for the exclusion of 25 percent of interest received by a qualiﬁed lender on any qualiﬁed real estate loan.”

What’s Next?
The Senate could roll out its version of bill later this week, which is expected to include changes from the House’s version that passed in May by one vote.

House Speaker Mike Johnson also said this week he still believes July 4 is a realistic target for passing President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill.”

Big 3 Advocacy Asks in the Pork Industry

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 22:48:12 GMT

With all the administration and policy changes that have happened in the past, there’s no question the U.S. pork industry has been busy advocating for producers in a period of great uncertainty. Duane Stateler, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president, joined Bryan Humphreys, NPPC CEO, Kylee Deniz, Oklahoma Pork Council state executive, and Maria Zieba, NPPC vice president of government affairs, to kick off the World Pork Expo on June 4 in Des Moines, Iowa.

“Uncertainty is common for farmers. Most of our producers raise pigs and livestock and grow crops,” Stateler says. “You’re used to that uncertainty with the crops – whether it’s going to rain, whether it is going to be dry. The same thing happens on the pork side. But you like it when the markets are calm and easy because that’s one less thing you have to worry about.”

Here’s a breakdown of the key priorities these leaders are focused on now as they try to create more certainty for U.S. pork producers.

1. Trade. “Trade is vitally important for our industry,” Zieba says. “Our top priority remains and will continue to be market access into Vietnam. We see this as a huge opportunity for our U.S. pork exports. Not only because there’s 100 million people in Vietnam whose No. 1 protein consumption is pork, but also as we look at diversifying away from certain markets, Vietnam has an opportunity that is very unique.”

Vietnamese consumers value muscle cuts, but they also eat a lot of offals, she says. The U.S. needs to diversify its customer base for offals because more than 50% are currently destined for China.

“Whenever we have a trade disruption that’s certainly an impact on domestic producers,” Zieba says. “The U.S. pork industry is in a very unique position. We had a huge win earlier this year with China where they approved over 300 of our pork processing plants and our cold storage facilities for pork. We continue to have that access to export product to China. The same cannot be said for some of the other proteins. We’re very thankful for all the hard work and efforts that were made by the administration to make U.S. pork market access a priority into China.”

2. Farm bill. When it comes to getting a farm bill passed, Stateler says they have to take what they can get.

“There’s a lot of things that are going to be missing in the Reconciliation Bill that rural America needs,” he points out. “We need to get a farm bill passed after whatever comes with this reconciliation bill.”

3. Proposition 12. One of the pork industry’s big asks is surrounding Prop 12.

“The industry cannot take a Prop 13 or a Prop 14 coming from someplace else that makes a patchwork of regulations, not only for us as producers, but also for the people who buy our product and who process it and get it out.”

Deniz echoed Stateler’s comments and says the certainty that comes with a farm bill is very important for pig farmers today.

“Whether we’re talking about the three-legged stool of animal health, trade or a Proposition 12 fix, it’s just needed,” Deniz says. “A farm bill matters to us in Oklahoma. It matters to every state where pigs are raised. It matters to everyone in this room.”

Humpheys says there are many other aspects of the farm bill that will still need to be addressed.

“Our ask, and quite honestly our demand, of folks that represent agriculture in D.C. is that we need a farm bill. As part of that farm bill, American agriculture, specifically the pork industry, needs the certainty that comes with a fix to Proposition 12 and a prevention of the patchwork of regulations,” he says. “While that doesn’t fit under one big, beautiful bill, it does still need to be done. That’s going to require a farm bill or some other approach. While we’re partial to the farm bill in agriculture, we’ll take anything.”

Your Next Read: Why Cutting Corners Doesn’t Work in the Pork Industry

Big, Beautiful Bill: What's in it for Agriculture?

Thu, 15 May 2025 20:06:13 GMT

House Republicans are holding hearings this week about President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” The bill could benefit agriculture, including positive tax provisions for farmers, an extension for 45Z and an increase in farm bill reference prices. However, potential changes to SNAP and putting more of the burden on states are also raising concerns.

Pieces of the overall bill passed both the House Agriculture Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee this week. Committee markup is the first test the provisions had to pass. The provisions from each committee will then be inserted into the overall bill.

The House Ways and Means Committee’s portion includes making 2017 tax cuts permanent, eliminating the estate tax and reducing taxes on interest income for agricultural loans.

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer calls the tax provisions very favorable for agriculture, rating them a 8 or 9 out of 10. Here’s why:

As of Jan. 20, farmers will have 100% bonus depreciation for the next four years
The Section 199A deduction that was at the 20% level will now be bumped up to the 23% level.
Cooperative deductions will still be included
Starting next year, Section 179 will increase to $2.5 million, up from $1 million
An increase in the gift tax exemption amounts to $15 million per individual and $30 million per couple, adjusted for inflation annually.

Neiffer say farmers who’ve built net worth through land or other assets, there’s a piece of the legislation that will also benefit them.

“The lifetime exemption starting next year will be $15 million, and it’s made permanent,” Neiffer says.

The draft legislation also includes an extension of 45z tax credit. Established by the Inflation Reduction Act that was passed in 2022, it provides a tax credit for the production and sale of low-emission transformation fuels.

Increase in Reference Prices

On Wednesday night, the House Agriculture Committee passed its portion of the budget reconciliation package, but not without debate around farmer interests versus food stamps.

According to the House Ag Committee, the provisions increase Price Loss Coverage (PLC) reference prices to levels proposed last year. Those include:

$4.10 per bushel for corn
$10 for soybeans
$6.35 for wheat

“Essentially, they took the proposal from last year and are going to stick it in this bill,” Neiffer says. “We’re going to have about a 10%-to-20% increase. Since it was effective immediately, I thought it might apply to the ’24 crop, but Jim Wiesemeyer reached out to let me know it’s likely going to apply for ’25. The problem I have with that, they were talking about immediate help for farmers, which if they’re applied to ’24, they’d be getting the help in October ’25. Now, if it’s applied to ’25, their help isn’t going to be until October ’26, at the earliest.”

In the proposal, farmers would also see payment limits increase from $125,000 per individual or entity to $155,000, starting with the current 2025 crop year.

Those in favor of the increase in reference prices on the House Ag Committee argue this is a vital lifeline for farmers at a time of great financial need.

“Since 2019, SNAP costs have skyrocketed from $60 billion to $110 billion annually, an 83% increase, while enrollment has grown from 36 million to 42 million,” said House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA).

“The truth is our current farm safety net hasn’t kept up — it’s outdated and often it doesn’t even get triggered when prices drop,” says Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa. “This is an investment that will provide predictability when prices fall and another provision to keep our crop insurance programs strong and intact.”

The Fight in the House Ag Committee Over SNAP

That includes a projected $290 billion cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next decade.

The plan also removes $290 billion from the program, redirecting some of that money to farmers by expanding support for commodities and crop insurance.

But Democrats on the committee spoke out against the cuts to SNAP benefits calling them a non-starter.

“The average SNAP benefit is about $6 per day. Let me say that again, $6 a day. You don’t build a life on SNAP. You build a bridge to the next paycheck,” says Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn. “The cuts you are proposing to SNAP would be the largest rollback of an anti-hunger program in our nation’s history.”

Both the Committee’s portion of the legislation will also be rolled together into the bigger reconciliation package and must be reconciled with the Senate bill.

While it’s a long road until the complete bill is passed in Congress, Trump has said he wants this passed and plans to sign it on July 4.

Ag Groups React

The majority of ag groups support the tax provisions, saying this will be beneficial to farmers.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) says the tax package must be approved by the House of Representatives as part of the reconciliation process.

“The Death Tax is a death warrant for family businesses and the top threat to family-owned cattle operations. NCBA has been working with members on and off the Ways and Means Committee for months to educate them about the needs of cattle producers and advocate for the tax provisions that are the most effective for cattle operations,” said NCBA President and Nebraska cattleman Buck Wehrbein. “This work would not have been possible without the broad participation we had in NCBA’s tax survey from producers, who detailed the struggles they have had with paying the Death Tax and what they would like to see in a broader tax package. This is a huge victory for grassroots advocacy and everyone that made their voice heard—from the producers that have not paid the Death Tax yet—to those that have paid it multiple times to avoid losing their livelihoods.”

Associations representing row crop farmers applaud the House Ag Committee’s push to adjust reference prices.

“We appreciate Chairman Thompson’s efforts to include key agricultural investments in must-pass legislation,” said Illinois farmer and National Corn Growers (NCGA) President Kenneth Hartman Jr.

However, the cuts to SNAP are a concern for others. The National Young Farmers Coalition, a group who says its vision is to create a future where farming is “free of racial violence, accessible to communities, oriented towards environmental well-being, and concerned with health over profit,” is against the proposed cuts.

“This budget proposal is a betrayal of the values that sustain our food system. These are not the investments young farmers need,” said Erin Foster West, Policy Campaigns Director of the National Young Farmers Coalition . “Instead of passing a bipartisan Farm Bill that builds resilience for farmers and families alike, this bill fast-tracks harmful cuts to nutrition programs that serve as both a safety net for families and a revenue stream for farmers. It trades long-term food security for short-term austerity.”

Pork Producers Aren't Giving Up on a Prop 12 Fix

Tue, 13 May 2025 15:37:50 GMT

Pork producers are grateful that many industry priorities were included in the recently released reconciliation package from the House Agriculture Committee, but they aren’t giving up on securing a fix to Proposition 12.

“America’s pork producers recognize and greatly appreciate the tireless efforts by congressional champions of farming and agriculture, especially Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, in securing as many pork industry priorities as possible in the House’s proposed reconciliation package,” says National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio.

But Stateler says it’s just as critical – if not more – that the committee keeps its promise to take action on a solution to the many problems triggered by California Proposition 12.

“We expect that members of both parties will continue to find the path to deliver the certainty and stability farmers need,” Stateler says. “Whether in the Farm Bill, or in other legislative provisions, we stand ready and willing to help the Congress deliver this needed, bipartisan solution.”

NPPC urges members of Congress to advance the provisions included in the reconciliation package that will ensure pork producers can continue to provide a safe, reliable and affordable supply of products from farms to so many people.

Those provisions include:

Preservation of necessary resources to protect the nation’s food supply through foreign animal disease (FAD) prevention, including:
>National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank
>National Animal Health Laboratory Network

>National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program
>National Veterinary Stockpile
Increase in market access programs for U.S. pork.
>The Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) build export markets for U.S. agricultural products through generic marketing and promotion and the reduction of foreign import constraints. For every $1 spent on MAP and FMD programs, U.S. agriculture saw $24.50 in export gains and contributed to the creation of 225,800 full-and part-time jobs across the U.S. economy.
Resources for the feral swine eradication to protect the health of U.S. swine herds.
>Established in the 2018 Farm Bill, the hugely successful Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program helps address the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, ecosystems, and human and animal health, especially through FADs like African swine fever.

Your Next Read: Certainty in Uncertain Times: How Maria Zieba Fights for U.S. Pork Producers in DC

New Food Security and Farm Protection Act Protects Farmers and Consumers From Government Overreach

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:24:08 GMT

After the U.S. Supreme Court left an open invitation for Congress to strike down California’s Proposition 12, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) says it’s time to end this “unjustified and burdensome regulatory overreach” in order to protect family farms and bring down prices for U.S. consumers.

On April 8, Ernst and fellow Senate Agriculture Committee members Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced The Food Security and Farm Protection Act that prohibits any state or local government from interfering with commerce and agricultural practices in another state outside their jurisdiction.

“Proposition 12 is dangerous and arbitrary overregulation that stands in direct opposition to the livelihoods of Iowa pork producers, increases costs for both farmers and consumers, and jeopardizes our nation’s food security,” Ernst says. “I’m proud to be leading the charge to strike down this harmful measure and will keep fighting to make sure the voices of the farmers and experts who know best – not liberal California activists – are heard.”

Pig Farmers Speak Out
This policy averts a disastrous patchwork of contradictory state-by-state farm regulations that would hit hardest small and medium-sized pork producers, says National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio.

“U.S. pork producers have just suffered the worst 18 months of financial losses in history, and many farm families are contemplating whether they can pass along their farm to the next generation,” Stateler says. “We urge the Senate to take up this legislation immediately to provide us much-needed relief.” Learn more about Stateler’s story here.

Without certainty from the Food Security and Farm Protection Act , NPPC says there will be many consequences, including:

Widespread, damaging consequences for farmers and consumers alike.
Significant fees forced on producers to pay for outside regulators to audit their farms due to the whims of consumers outside their state’s borders.
Risk of putting farm families out of business by significantly increasing the cost of raising pigs.
Increased prices at the grocery store , as much as 41% for certain pork products.

A Dangerous Patchwork of Regulations
For reasons like these and more, bipartisan support for providing relief from a patchwork of state laws continues to grow with support from President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, and their respective Agriculture Secretaries Brooke Rollins and Tom Vilsack, NPPC said in a release.

“The United States is constantly faced with non-tariff trade barriers from protectionist countries, which hurts American agriculture’s access to new markets. The last thing we need is for states like California imposing its will on ag-heavy states like Kansas with regulations that will also restrict our ability to trade among the states,” Marshall says. “Midwest farmers and ranchers who produce our nation’s food supply should not be hamstrung by coastal activist agendas that dictate production standards from hundreds of miles away.”

And it’s not just the pork industry rallying around this legislation.

“Iowa soybean farmers are grateful for Senator Ernst’s leadership to address challenges Prop 12 creates for Iowa farmers,” says Iowa Soybean Association President and farmer, Brent Swart. “Not only do the increased costs of compliance threaten to put pork farmers out of business, Prop 12 increases the price of pork at the grocery store by as much as 40%. Higher prices for pork dampen demand for this high-quality protein which negatively impacts market demand for soybeans used for pig feed. This legislation gives us a chance to protect our farms, our livelihoods, and ultimately, families that need affordable food.”

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association President, Rob Medberry, points out that the Iowa Cattle industry has made it clear that government overreach and overregulation is incredibly burdensome to industries that provide safe, quality and sustainable products for the world.

“Proposition 12 has the potential to further dismantle the livestock industry with the lack of science-based measures. Proposition 12 has already proven to be an unfunded mandate with consumers unwilling to pay premiums for the products that must be compliant with the proposition,” Medberry says. “The inherent cost to become compliant is overbearing and the simple fact of dollars and cents does not add up.”

Opponents Strike Back
Opposition such as the Humane World Action Fund, formerly called Humane Society Legislative Fund, argue against this legislation.

“This bill would hand over sweeping power to a narrow segment of the agriculture industry, overriding the will of voters, dismantling state laws and eliminating hard-won voter-supported protections for the humane treatment of farm animals, food safety and farm workers,” says Sara Amundson, president of Humane World Action Fund. “Let’s be clear: this is a federal overreach that serves Big Pork, not the American people.”

Amundson claims this legislation has been driven by a small group of pork industry lobbyists.

It’s Not Just About Pigs
But Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) President Stu Swanson disagrees.

“With barriers like Proposition 12 cutting off our ability to supply fellow Americans with Iowa grown pork, it’s not only those families who are being affected, but also our farm families here in Iowa,” Swanson points out.

Iowa Turkey Federation Executive Director Gretta Irwin adds that these inconsistencies create unnecessary burdens for farmers operating across state lines, hinder efficient production, and undermine well-established, science-based practices developed in coordination with industry experts.

Swanson says this is an issue for all of agriculture and one his organization plans to continue to work on with their livestock partners until it gets resolved.

“Consistent with its authorities under the Commerce Clause, it’s time for Congress to solve this problem by passing legislation,” Grassley says. “Our bill will end California’s war on breakfast and make sure delicious Iowa pork can be sold everywhere.”

Stay up to date on Prop 12 here.

Senate Overwhelmingly Confirms Brooke Rollins as 33rd Secretary of Agriculture

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 18:10:36 GMT

Brooke Rollins, President Trump’s nominee for Agriculture Secretary , was overwhelmingly confirmed by the Senate on Thursday. The vote was 72-28. Her confirmation was expected, as the Senate maintains its quick pace of confirming President Donald Trump’s key Cabinet positions.

“America’s farmers, ranchers and foresters need a leader at USDA who will be an advocate for their livelihoods and rural America and be a strong voice to address the pressing needs of our agriculture community. Brooke Rollins is that person,” Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, said on the Senate floor prior to the vote.

Congratulations @USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. We look forward to working together to serve rural America. pic.twitter.com/CIljFpYQZX
— Senate Ag Committee Republicans (@SenateAgGOP) February 13, 2025

“I congratulate Secretary Rollins on her confirmation,” said House Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN) in a statement following the vote. “Secretary Rollins begins her new role at a critical time for American agriculture. Family farmers are struggling with high input costs and low prices; tariffs are being proposed that will raise costs on American producers and American consumers; the agricultural workforce is being threatened; and Congress is behind schedule in passing a new, bipartisan farm bill. If we want to tackle these challenges in a way that supports family farmers and the communities they feed, we will need to work together. I look forward to building a strong working relationship with Secretary Rollins as ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.”

Today, @SecRollins was sworn in as the 33rd U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Here’s a snapshot of her first day at USDA! pic.twitter.com/GFpIYdnovF
— Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) February 14, 2025

Rollins’ close ties to President Trump are viewed as a positive for U.S. agriculture as some say, “she has President Trump’s ear.”

When President Trump made the nomination announcement in November, he said her “commitment to support the American farmer, the defense of American food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none.”

Important Issues in Immediate Focus

Rollins has some important issues to focus on immediately, including:

Reviewing the various USDA grants and other funding that remain frozen;
Getting ag disaster ($21 billion) and economic aid ($10 billion) payments made to eligible producers;
Working with NEC Director Kevin Hassett and others on the bird flu situation;
Monitoring the impact of Trump tariffs on the U.S. ag sector and any need for a farmer aid program
Advising key congressional members on a new farm bill;
Working with Treasury/IRS, EPA and Energy Dept. personnel on finalizing information regarding the 45Z program;
Informing President Trump and others about the impact on farm country from mass deportations relative to border security action;
Checking on and working with other agencies and departments regarding food aid;
Working with her new staff and other key USDA personnel as they officially come into USDA;
Getting ready for fiscal year 2026 budget matters for USDA;
Working with EPA and the Dept. of Energy on the 2026 RFS RVOs;
Dealing with a smaller USDA workforce via buyouts and other actions to reduce the number of government workers;
Addressing issues raised by the GAO relative to operation of the SNAP/food stamps program and other operational aspects of the program should they see any major alternations under budget reconciliation.

Rollins Gets Straight to Work

Rollins already held a meeting at 4 p.m. CT Thursday at USDA on bird flu, gathering who she said were “some of the most brilliant professionals I’ve encountered. Their insights were invaluable.” Rollins will be very visible in the days ahead, she said on X that she will be in four states, give six speeches, attend the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville and “so much more.”

Today, I had the immense honor of being sworn in as the next Secretary of Agriculture by one of my heroes — and a true American judicial titan — Justice Clarence Thomas.

Being surrounded by my precious family as I took the oath of office is a moment I will forever cherish. pic.twitter.com/CrprXOuW7Z
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) February 14, 2025

A Look Back at Rollins’ Confirmation Hearing

During Rollins’ confirmation hearing in the Senate Ag Committee last month , she outlined several key priorities for USDA if confirmed:

Rapid deployment of disaster and economic assistance authorized by Congress.
Addressing current animal disease outbreaks.
Modernizing and realigning USDA.
Ensuring long-term prosperity for rural communities.

Rollins also clarified her stance on ethanol and RFS, distancing herself from past positions of the Texas Public Policy Foundation:

She stated the Foundation’s position on ethanol/RFS was written a decade ago and was one of 900 to 1,000 papers produced annually.
Rollins emphasized she did not author those papers.
While admitting to being a defender of fossil fuels, she insisted she would be “a secretary for all of agriculture” and a “champion for all fuels.”

Tariff Impact Aid for Farmers

During questioning, Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) asked Rollins about her approach to working with President Trump’s trade agenda. Rollins responded she would prioritize working with the White House to address any challenges farmers and ranchers might face under potential tariff implementations.

Rollins committed to supporting farmers in the case of tariff-related harm:

She pledged to undertake efforts such as the Market Facilitation Program (MFP) via payments from the first Trump administration. MFP was part of a broader effort by USDA to assist farmers impacted by retaliatory tariffs and trade disruptions.
Rollins has consulted with former USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue about the implementation of such programs.

Rollins previously servied as the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI), a think tank established by former Trump officials to promote conservative policies.

AFPI has advocated for curbing foreign ownership — particularly from China — of U.S. farmland, an issue with bipartisan support in Congress. She served as the president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) from 2003 to 2018, where she significantly expanded the organization and positioned it as a leading state-based think tank.

Economists Says Rollins is a Positive for U.S. Agriculture

How Farmers Size Up RFK Jr.

(Farm Journal )

80% of economists in the January Ag Economists’ Monthly say Rollins is a positive pick for U.S. agriculture .

“Rollins knows ag and has Trump’s ear,” said one economist.

“Her close connection the President and reasons outlined in the letter sent by 427 ag organizations and businesses on January 15th,” said another economist.

20% of economists say Rollins wouldn’t be positive for U.S. agriculture.

One economist said, “USDA focused heavily on under-served producers during the Vilsack era and my sense is that producers wanted the Secretary to come from a production ag view; whereas Rollins come at it more from an overall domestic policy view. Also, feel the administration isn’t helping her out with the Deputy Secretary nomination. Producers don’t see themselves in the upcoming USDA leadership.”

Ag Groups React to Rollins’ Confirmation

“Congratulations to Secretary Brooke Rollins on her confirmation to lead USDA. America’s pork producers are eager to work with Secretary Rollins to fix the multitude of problems caused by California Proposition 12 and ensure farm families have reasonable policies to pass down our farms to future generations,” said National Pork Producers Council (NPPC).
“On behalf of America’s farmer cooperatives, I would like to congratulate Brooke Rollins on her confirmation as Secretary of Agriculture today. In this role, Secretary Rollins will lead an agency that impacts the operations of every farm and ranch in the country and touches every local community across rural America. She will also serve as the voice of producers within the Trump administration at a critical moment. NCFC looks forward to working with Secretary Rollins on a range of issues within USDA that impact farmer co-ops and their members,” said National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC).
“Congratulations to Secretary Brooke Rollins on her bi-partisan confirmation to become U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Clearly, President Trump has selected a highly capable and accomplished individual to lead USDA. Secretary Rollins’ commitment to returning USDA to its core mission of supporting all of agriculture is exactly the focus our country needs right now. I am confident that she will be an effective advocate for farmers, ensuring that President Trump’s policies reflect their needs and support the vitality of our rural communities,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.
“The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) congratulates the Honorable Brooke Rollins on her confirmation to lead USDA as the 33rd U.S. agriculture secretary. Rollin’s policy crafting experience and passion for opportunities for agriculture will contribute tangible impacts for American farmers and ranchers and people around the globe who enjoy U.S. food products.
NASDA is enthusiastic to work with the secretary on our priorities including increasing economic opportunities for farmers, ranchers and food producers, advancing a new farm bill, improving Americans’ access to nutrient-dense foods and ensuring American agriculture can continue to provide the most secure, affordable and nutritious food supply in the world,” NASDA said in a statement.
“Secretary Rollins understands the pain points the agriculture industry faces and has a plan to address these right away,” Hawkins said. “She understands the importance of a strong safety net and is prepared to work with Congress to implement a modernized Farm Bill. She will work with farmers to eliminate burdensome and costly regulations that hamper innovation, will spearhead animal disease prevention and mitigation, and will identify new export channels across the globe to support markets. Raised in rural Texas, Secretary Rollins knows the importance of strengthening our rural communities and making them a great place to live, work, and raise our families. We are thrilled with her bipartisan confirmation and welcome the opportunity to work with her to advance the agriculture industry,” said Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins.
Michael Dykes, President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), expressed confidence in Rollins’ capabilities.
“IDFA congratulates Ms. Rollins on her confirmation to lead USDA as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. We’re confident she will be a strong voice for the U.S. food and agriculture industry across the federal government. As USDA navigates a dynamic trade environment, we need Secretary Rollins’ leadership to expand U.S. dairy exports, support a coordinated response to animal disease outbreaks, and preserve dairy’s critical place in federal nutrition programs, including SNAP milk and dairy nutrition incentives, WIC and school meals. IDFA looks forward to working with Secretary Rollins at USDA to strengthen Americans’ dietary health, support farmers and the entire dairy supply chain in the production of wholesome food, and build a regulatory environment that promotes innovation, growth and food safety. These efforts will enable our industry to continue leading the world in the production of high-quality, nutritious dairy foods,” Dykes stated.

Congratulations, @BrookeLRollins on your confirmation to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture @USDA . We look forward to working with you to be a strong voice for the U.S. food and agriculture industry, expand U.S. dairy exports, support a coordinated response to animal… pic.twitter.com/1pqhNrzDnc
— IDFA (@dairyidfa) February 13, 2025

Rollins and will now finish assembling her team at USDA. Here are the key appointments already made by President Trump:

Stephen Vaden: Nominated for Deputy USDA Secretary

Undersecretary Nominees

Richard Fordyce: Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation
Dudley Hoskins: Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
Luke Lindberg: Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
Michael Boren: Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment
Scott Hutchins: Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics

Senior Staff Appointments:

Kailee Tkacz Buller: Chief of Staff at USDA
Preston Parry: Deputy Chief of Staff
Jennifer Tiller: Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary and Senior Advisor to the Secretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services
Dominic Restuccia: White House Liaison for USDA
Ralph Linden: Principal Deputy General Counsel
Audra Weeks: Deputy Director of Communications

Natural Resources and Environment Appointments

Kristin Sleeper: Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment
Tom Schultz: Chief of Staff for Natural Resources and Environment

Other Notable Appointments

Brooke Appleton: Deputy Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation
Tyler Clarkson: USDA General Counsel

5 Minutes with NPPC Leaders on Prop 12 and the Farm Bill

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 19:22:09 GMT

Why is it so important to get a farm bill passed? National Pork Producers Council vice president for domestic policy Chase Adams says the answer is simple: Prop 12.

“The farm bill is the natural place for our fix for California Proposition 12,” Adams said during a political strategy panel at the Ohio Pork Congress. “On the positive side, the Republican Congress knows that rural America elected them, that they owe it to rural America to get the farm bill done. It is a topic of discussion all the way from the Speaker’s office down to the Ag Committee.”

Adams says the pork industry is well positioned because it knows where Chairman Glenn Thompson and Chairman John Boozman were on California Prop 12, foreign animal disease (FAD) funding and all the big issues the industry cares about in the last Congress.

Rollins Recognizes Challenges of Prop 12
NPPC CEO Bryan Humphreys says he is extremely hopeful about what USDA Secretary of Agriculture Nominee Brooke Rollins will do for U.S. agriculture and Prop 12 after hearing her comments during her testimony, specifically around the need for a farm bill.

“Her emphasis on working with and helping to protect American agriculture are all things that bring comfort to our industry,” Humphreys says. “She said something to the effect that agriculture is the lifeblood of America. That’s important.”

From a Prop 12 standpoint, Humphreys says Rollins’ comments were spot on.

“A couple of things I want to point out from what she said are 1) recognition of the damage that Proposition 12 has done for creating a patchwork of regulations. What Prop 12 has done to the logistics of our industry is incredibly challenging. I appreciate her recognition of that. 2) She mentioned she’s a Federalist. I think her recognition of the dangers of Prop 12 as a Federalist is exactly what the Supreme Court was getting at when it ruled that this is a problem, but Congress needs to fix it,” Humphreys says.

Prop 12 is a state’s rights issue that Congress needs to find a solution for because of the problems that it has created, he adds.

“The state of California should not be able to tell producers in Ohio how to raise their pigs,” Humphreys says.

Obstacles for the Farm Bill
The discouraging part for Adams is that there’s talk about taking care of farm bill provisions through vehicles outside of passing a full farm bill.

“My concern is that if we strip out key provisions of the farm bill, we don’t have anything to make it bipartisan,” Adams says. “This process has to be bipartisan to get a farm bill done.”

In short, Adams believes the farm bill has some factors going for it and some factors going against it right now.

“That’s why it’s so critically important that the pork industry demands that we get this farm bill done,” Adams says. “If we’re not asking for it, no one else will.”

Your Next Read: What Does the 30-Day Hold on Tariffs Mean for the U.S. Pork Industry?

Senate Agenda to Start 2025 Includes New Farm Bill

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 20:45:55 GMT

As the 119th Congress begins, the Senate’s opening day promises to be largely ceremonial, in contrast to the dramatic House speaker election. Senators will convene at noon ET to swear in new members, hear remarks from Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and address procedural matters.

Thune’s Filibuster Pledge
Thune will reaffirm his commitment to preserving the legislative filibuster, emphasizing its role in maintaining the Senate’s deliberative nature. This stance may clash with potential calls from President-elect Trump to abolish the filibuster, as he did during his first term.

Upcoming GOP Agenda Includes New Farm Bill
Thune will outline plans to pass individual appropriations bills, a farm bill, and focus on regular order and extended floor debates. The GOP’s initial reconciliation package, targeting border security, energy, and defense, could test the filibuster’s resilience.

Democratic Priorities
Schumer will advocate for bipartisan cooperation and outline Democratic goals, despite the GOP’s emphasis on party-line measures.

Cabinet Confirmations on Hold
The Senate will adopt its organizing resolution today, formally transitioning control of committees to the GOP. However, Cabinet confirmation hearings won’t begin until the week of Jan. 13, allowing more time for senators to meet with nominees, including former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Sen. Marco Rubio.

Republicans 53-seat majority will be delayed slightly because West Virginia Governor Jim Justice is waiting until Jan. 13 to allow Governor-elect Patrick Morrisey to take over before appointing a successor. This delay will affect Justice’s seniority ranking but is not expected to impact Republicans’ legislative activities significantly, given the short timeline.

Schumer Sets Democratic Agriculture Panel Member List
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has set the list of Democratic assignments on committees for the 119th Congress, with two new members of the Senate Agriculture Committee – Sens. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Elissa Slotkin. Leaving the panel after the 118th Congress were retired Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), defeated Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) was previously announced as the new Ranking Member on the panel.

More Dramatic Start for the House
House Republicans are preparing for today’s unpredictable speaker election, where incumbent Mike Johnson (R-La.) faces a challenging path to retain his gavel. With a razor-thin 219-215 majority, Johnson can afford only one GOP defection if all members vote. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has signaled opposition, while some others remain undecided. Johnson has emphasized the importance of avoiding theatrics, recalling the protracted 2023 speaker vote, and is striving for a first-ballot victory.

Johnson has secured former President Trump’s endorsement and has focused on uniting his party behind key agenda items like border security and tax reform. However, some Republicans demand assurances of a more conservative approach, citing frustrations with Johnson’s reliance on Democratic votes in the previous Congress.

Johnson’s potential ousting could create a leadership vacuum since there isn’t an obvious replacement. Removing Johnson might reignite public clashes among top Republicans, including House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (La.), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (Minn.), and Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (Ohio). These tensions could fracture party unity and complicate legislative efforts.

Political Implications for Trump and the GOP
The disruption could weaken Republican cohesion, making it harder for the party to advance its agenda or align with Trump’s interests, especially heading into the 2024 elections.

If there is a confirmed House speaker today, the schedule ahead includes:

· Saturday: House Republicans will meet at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., to discuss reconciliation plans.
· Sunday: Republican elected leadership holds a retreat in Baltimore.
· Monday: The House will convene to certify Donald Trump’s Electoral College victory.

Your Next Read:
How is Stabenow’s Senate Farm Bill Proposal Different From the House Bill?

Congress Leaves America’s Pork Producers High and Dry Without Prop 12 Fix, NPPC Says

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 19:25:11 GMT

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) announced its deep disappointment in Congress’ decision to relinquish their responsibility to produce a new Farm Bill and an overdue federal solution for California Proposition 12.

“Pork producers do not have the luxury of waiting for Congress to pass a new, five-year Farm Bill next year. After years of losing money and forcing family farms out of business, we needed the certainty to make decisions yesterday. Congress’ complete disregard and inability to adequately provide assurance for producers is sure to make this a bleak holiday season for many farming families across the country,” Lori Stevermer, NPPC president and pork producer from Easton, Minn., said in a release on Wednesday.

Congressional leadership announced its intentions to pass a “clean” one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, denying new programs or funding.

“America’s pork producers have continually raised our voices and have ultimately been ignored by Congress through its failure to provide a solution to the problems created by Prop 12: increasing our operating costs, creating future business uncertainty, and raising consumer prices,” Stevermer said in the release.

NPPC will continue to push Congress to provide a federal solution to Prop 12 and other priorities, the organization said.

Your Next Read: Converting to Prop 12: What Have We Learned a Year Later?

Ag Sector Could Score Big in Stopgap Spending

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 19:53:56 GMT

The House of Representatives released its Continuing Resolution (CR) text today, which includes:

A one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill
Around $10 billion in farmer economic aid
$21 billion in ag disaster funding for 2023 and 2024, which is part of the $100.4 billion to help the hurricane-stricken Southeast
Year-round E15 sales, which is a major victory for the corn and ethanol industries

The plan will offer credits to small refiners that petitioned for exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandates (2016 to 2018 compliance years) but were denied or had pending petitions as of Dec. 1, 2022. The RFS requires refiners to blend biofuels such as ethanol into gasoline or purchase compliance credits.

The provision would override a previous U.S. government decision allowing year-round E15 sales only in eight Midwestern states (set to begin in 2025).

Extension of Orphan Programs in 2018 Farm Bill
There also appears to be an extension of orphan programs in the 2018 farm bill extension and a permanent 1890s scholarship program. The icing on the cake is a four-year extension of SNAP fraud via the skimming reimbursement language.

Orphan programs are ones that were authorized in the 2018 farm bill but did not have funding beyond a specified year. The extension provides $177 million of new mandatory funding for programs that did not have a budget baseline. This ensures these programs can continue to operate during the extension period.

The 1890s scholarship program provides scholarships for students attending 1890 land-grant universities, which are historically Black colleges and universities that were established under the Second Morrill Act of 1890.

The SNAP Fraud Reimbursement extension is the continuation of reimbursements for stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This provision protects SNAP recipients from losses due to benefit theft via card skimming, cloning and other similar methods. States will continue to be required to replace stolen benefits under this measure.

One source said, “Good policy would be emphasizing the need for states to transition to more secure measures for SNAP recipients, including stronger identity verification practices.”

Of Note
Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) did not get her wish to move conservation/climate funding into a one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill. That discussion will occur next year.

Economic Aid and Disaster Funding
Disaster aid for crop losses due to natural disasters for 2023 and 2024 will total $21 billion.

The discussions for economic aid centered on a $10 billion package to help farmers cope with price declines and rising input costs. House Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson (R-Pa.) indicated that $10 billion is the minimum he would accept. He mentioned Republican support for reallocating conservation program funds from the 2022 legislation into the farm bill baseline, but that Republicans are disputing the “guardrails” that require funds to support “climate-smart” projects.

Thompson also noted concerns that some critics want to ensure President-elect Donald Trump would have access to funds to compensate farmers for potential retaliation stemming from new Trump import tariffs.

Year-Round E-15
Year-round sales of E15 ethanol has been a long-standing goal for corn growers and ethanol producers, particularly in states such as Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota where a significant portion of corn production goes into ethanol.

Currently, E15 is available at more than 3,200 gas stations in the U.S., indicating room for growth (there are more than 196,000 fuel stations in the U.S.). About 95% of model year 2024 vehicles are explicitly approved for E15 use by manufacturers.

The actual increase in ethanol usage would likely be gradual as E15 adoption expands. While the theoretical maximum ethanol usage through year-round E15 sales could reach 20,586 million gallons annually, the actual increase would depend on factors such as consumer adoption and infrastructure development — separate fuel handling and storage for E15.

Now What?
A vote in the House won’t happen until at least Thursday night if House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sticks to his plan to honor the rule giving members 72 hours to review the bill.

Other House Happenings
House Democrats removed Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) as their senior Agriculture Committee leader after he received just 5 votes in Monday’s influential steering panel vote. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) emerged as the frontrunner with 34 votes, while Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) trailed with 22 votes. Craig now heads into Tuesday’s full caucus vote, seeking additional support. Craig plans to rally House colleagues for the final vote. Meanwhile, Costa vowed to keep pushing and will try to supplant Craig in the full caucus. Lawmakers had anticipated Scott’s ouster amid growing skepticism of his leadership — Scott has dropped out of the race.

Craig indicated part of her pitch to the panel was that there are no other Ranking Members for Democrats from the U.S. Midwest.

“There’s not a single ranking member from the middle of the country right now, and that was certainly part of my pitch to my colleagues, is that if we want to represent this whole country, then we need ranking members and leaders in the Democratic Party who are from the whole country,” she stated.

Craig came into Congress in 2019 while Costa and Scott were elected in the early 2000s.

GOP Eyes Strategic Appointment to Boost House Majority
Republicans may have found a way to temporarily expand their narrow House majority: appointing a Democrat to the Trump administration. Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) is reportedly being considered to lead the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) next year. The move would leave Democrats short a vote for weeks, bolster the GOP’s edge, and possibly help Republicans flip Moskowitz’s seat. Moskowitz, who previously served as Florida’s emergency management director under Gov. Ron DeSantis, could gain significant recognition if he pursues a 2026 gubernatorial bid. While his office and House Democratic leadership declined to comment, the appointment’s political ramifications are being closely watched ahead of Monday’s internal party elections.

Take our Poll: Do you think Congress should pass emergency relief for farmers in the CR? You can voice your opinion in our AgWeb poll.

Take Our Poll: Should Congress Pass Emergency Relief for Farmers?

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 21:39:34 GMT

According to the latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor , 56% of economists think U.S. agriculture is already in a recession and 81% believe agriculture is on the brink of one.

The bleak outlook for row crop producers has ag groups pleading to lawmakers: Don’t pass a farm bill extension or continuing resolution without also including emergency relief for farmers and/or an increase in reference prices in Title I of the farm bill.

A one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill, tied to the continuing resolution, has sparked intense negotiations over economic assistance to farmers .

Time is running out to grant such relief. Should Congress approve economic aid for farmers before year-end? Should Congress raise reference prices in a farm bill extension? Answer those two questions here , or tap on the green “Take Poll Here” button at left.

Your Next Reads:

A Farm Bill Extension Without Economic Aid for Farmers Sparks Intense Negotiations and Debate in Congress

Majority of Ag Economists say U.S. Agriculture is Ending the Year in a Recession

A Farm Bill Extension Without Economic Aid for Farmers Sparks Intense Negotiations and Debate in Congress

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:47:43 GMT

A one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, tied to the continuing resolution (CR), has sparked intense negotiations over economic assistance to farmers. Initially, leaders considered diverting Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds intended for the National Resources Conservation Service in exchange for farmer aid. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) opposed this, aligning with President-elect Donald Trump’s intent to dismantle the IRA in the next Congress.

Sensing an opening, Democrats pushed for concessions in return for their support, proposing initiatives like 100% federal funding for Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, duty-free trade benefits for Haiti and Africa, funding for museums honoring women and Hispanics, and re-entry support for former inmates under the Second Chance Act.

AFBF Calls for a No Vote If Congress Ignores Ag Recession 📰 https://t.co/ejlB4kQZh4 https://t.co/WaArdCYkdw
— American Farm Bureau (@FarmBureau) December 14, 2024

Farm-state lawmakers, pushed by farm group lobbyists, said they would not support a CR without farmer aid. American Farm Bureau Federation publicly called on lawmakers to oppose the stopgap bill if it doesn’t include farm aid. “I call on members of Congress who represent ag to stand with farmers by insisting the supplemental spending bill include economic aid for farmers and voting it down if it doesn’t,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said Saturday.

The Dilimma

Democrats know Johnson wants farmer aid language and must rely on them to help pass it, perhaps a majority of votes. House GOP leaders may have to take the CR up under suspension, meaning it will need a two-thirds majority to pass. If congressional leaders release CR bill text today, the House may not vote until Thursday. If so, the Senate could follow on Thursday or more likely on Friday.

Unlocking the farm aid package is the key to a broader CR deal. Both sides want to get aid to farmers, but they differ on the funding mechanisms. Republicans rejected a Democratic offer to include about $10 billion in aid to farmers while moving several conservation/climate programs into the farm bill baseline, which technically scores as deficit neutral. Republican leaders opposed continuing the conservation programs beyond their 2031 expiration, as they’d like to claw back as much of the 2022 law’s climate-related spending as possible once they have full control of the House, Senate and White House next year. Democrats in turn rejected a GOP counteroffer of $12 billion in unoffset economic aid, saying it came at the expense of some of Biden’s requested $21 billion in emergency agricultural assistance for farmers and ranchers impacted by natural disasters

The American Soybean Association (ASA) and other farm groups announced opposition to any year-end spending package that excludes economic assistance for agricultural producers. ASA President Caleb Ragland emphasized the urgent need for aid as farmers grapple with inflation, soaring input costs, and declining commodity prices.

Ragland, a soy farmer from Kentucky, called on congressional leaders to re-engage in negotiations to deliver both economic and disaster relief. He warned that failing to act would exacerbate the financial struggles of farmers, potentially leading to widespread impacts on rural communities and the broader U.S. economy. Soybean prices have fallen 40% over two years, with many farmers citing an insufficient safety net to weather the crisis.

ASA and other agricultural groups argue that without meaningful support, the nation risks an escalating agricultural recession that will reverberate through households across the country.

Meanwhile, the National Cotton Council (NCC) said it also strongly opposes any supplemental spending package that lacks meaningful short-term assistance for farmers. An NCC statement said the failure of Congress to provide short-term support to producers will mean that many farm families will go out of business in 2025, leading to devastating impacts throughout the rural economy. “We urge Congressional leadership to return to the negotiating table to find a path forward on economic assistance. If not, we will vigorously oppose a supplemental spending package that does not provide the immediate support our producers need. The current stalemate is a completely unacceptable outcome,” said NCC Chairman Joe Nicosia.

American Cotton Producer Chairman David Dunlow of North Carolina said, “Our producers will lose as much as $300 per acre on this year’s harvest due to soaring production costs and low market prices. Unfortunately, political gamesmanship has resulted in legislators turning their back on farmers during our hour of greatest need.”

Senate Democrats Respond

House Ag Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D-Ga.) and Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) issued a statement ( link ) condemning Republican Leadership for rejecting a $10 billion farm bill extension proposal. They said the Democrats’ plan aimed to provide economic aid and bolster conservation programs without diverting funds from disaster relief. They warned that the GOP’s counteroffer falls short, jeopardizing farmers’ livelihoods and risking widespread foreclosures.

Congressional Democrats are proposing $9.8 billion in economic assistance to farmers that is completely paid for and doesn’t add a penny to the deficit. This is real help that will reach farmers by the spring planting season. pic.twitter.com/9ty2uSKDFJ
— Senate Ag, Nutrition, & Forestry Committee Dems (@SenateAgDems) December 11, 2024

“For weeks, congressional Democrats have provided a pathway to a farm bill extension that will deliver tens of billions of dollars in economic assistance and investments in farm bill programs that farmers rely on,” Stabenow said in a statement. “Republican Leadership turned down this $10 billion proposal, rejecting needed economic assistance and increased conservation spending for decades. It is important to stress that this proposal is paid for and does not take any funding away from the critical natural disaster aid that has been requested. Their eleventh-hour offer fell short of what farmers need, shortchanged critical farm bill programs, and steals from critically needed assistance to address recent natural disasters. We can and should do both economic and disaster assistance, not pit one against the other.”

Senate GOP Lashes Out

House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson (R-Pa.) and Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), ranking on the Senate Ag panel, criticized Democrats for neglecting rural needs and announced their opposition to any package lacking robust farmer assistance.

.@FarmBureau calls for prioritizing emergency assistance for farmers.

"We lost 141,000 farms in five years and if Congress fails to include economic aid for farmers, the sad reality is that we’ll lose more."

Read the statement: https://t.co/lQuJ35f2R1
— Senate Ag Committee Republicans (@SenateAgGOP) December 14, 2024

”America’s farmers have lost over $30 billion this year. And for the last few months we have led many of our colleagues in raising the concerns of the farm community in meetings, in hearings, on the House and Senate floors, and in private conversations with other Republicans and Democrats. We are deeply disappointed to learn that congressional leadership is failing to provide our farmers with the economic assistance they need to weather the crisis they are currently facing,” Boozman and Thompson said in a release “Last week, Republican leaders offered Leader Schumer and Leader Jefferies a $12 billion economic aid package for our nation’s farmers, which they rejected. It appears that congressional Democrats have not learned the lessons of the most recent election and continue to neglect the needs of rural America.”

Ag Groups Say Stabenow’s Lame-Duck Farm Bill is Lame; Gets Lambasted for Timing, Details

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 21:05:00 GMT

Most farm bill observers wonder why Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) even bothered to release text of her long-awaited farm bill at this late date , especially after seeing its contents. Even always optimistic House Ag Chair GT Thompson (R-Pa.) signaled it’s time to focus on a 2018 Farm Bill extension by year’s end.

Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) characterized Stabenow’s dead-before-arrival measure as “insulting.” Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) released more extensive and biting remarks, saying:

“This morning, Chairwoman Stabenow released her Farm Bill text — a 1,400-page document that no Republican committee member has reviewed or had the opportunity to collaborate on. This is not a sincere or transparent effort to address the urgent needs of Rural America. Instead, it is a last-minute power play in the final hours- manipulating her majority power in the Senate Ag Committee before losing the gavel. Today’s move shows that Senate Democrats have walked away from meaningful bipartisan negotiations that are a tradition in this committee and have opted to play politics with the livelihoods of hard-working farmers and ranchers at a time when Rural America needs real solutions… With farmers facing record decreases in net farm income, we must put FARM back in the Farm Bill by increasing crop insurance coverage and reference prices for the American farmer.”

Stabenow offered the Republicans very little other than agreeing to language regarding Commodity Credit Corporation funding restrictions, thereby boosting the farm bill baseline. But she gave nothing on her must-not-change items dealing with food and nutrition and conservation funding. Stabenow previously chided the GOP House plan on CCC as using “magic math and wishful thinking” but now she is willing to use that same math for CCC and put it toward some additional funding.

More on Stabenow’s CCC Flip-Flop

The bill would provide $39 billion in increased funding by restricting USDA’s use of the CCC from 2025 through 2030 unless the department has congressional authority. The bill says the CCC “is authorized to use its general powers only to carry out operations as Congress may specifically authorize or provide for.”

The Congressional Budget Office would be directed to estimate the savings of the provision at $6.7 billion per year. As we previously noted, the provision could potentially restrict the ability of the Trump administration to provide aid offset the impact of retaliatory tariffs.

She told reporters her bill “embraces” the Republicans’ method of paying for increased commodity program funding, referring to the CCC restriction. She said the bill also would provide $2 billion in payments to farmers faster than they get them now under the 2018 Farm Bill.

Now What?

The death knell has sounded on the latest attempt to get a farm bill this calendar year, a fate most thought would be the case after Stabenow didn’t release text of her bill after the House Ag Committee, with the help of some Democrats, cleared its version in May.

It took Stabenow over five months to release the anemic farm bill version filed on Monday. Efforts are now gaining momentum to get a market price relief measure as part of some must-pass legislation yet this year.

The hope is that farmer payments under that legislation (similar to but likely different from a measure by GOP Rep. Trent Kelly of Mississippi) will be built into a new farm bill baseline, providing more funding whenever farm-state lawmakers pick up the Stabenow pieces and actually get serious about writing a farm bill in 2025, or even 2026.

With Thompson remaining as House Ag Chairman in the new Congress, and Boozman taking the top Ag gavel in the Senate, a more serious attempt at an omnibus farm bill is very likely, especially dealing with likely new Senate Ag ranking member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) who has a track record of working across the aisle. She is also less fixated on specialty crops than Stabenow is, and instead will focus on corn, soybeans and wheat, key crops in Minnesota. Klobuchar said on the Senate floor Monday that lawmakers should do “anything we can” to finish a new farm bill by the end of the year.

Disaster Aid More a December Timeline Than November

Despite the Biden administration asking Congress to provide $24 billion in aid to the U.S. ag sector, as part of a $98.4 billion disaster aid package, Congress will likely modify key provisions when they return after a one-week Thanksgiving break. Look for farm-state lawmakers to include specific language on the operation of the coming ag disaster funding to avoid how USDA implemented the last aid to farmers.

Of note: Of the $24 billion for agriculture $21 billion would allow USDA to compensate farmers and ranchers for crop and livestock losses. This is significantly above the around $14 billion in disaster aid recently cited by a USDA official.

More on timing:House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Monday that lawmakers will now “go to work” evaluating the disaster aid request, noting that estimating recovery costs is “a deliberate process.”

With many Republicans campaigning on reducing federal spending, there could be some debate about portions of Biden’s request. Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to hear Wednesday from the heads of several of the government agencies that would receive funding through Biden’s request.

It’s possible that emergency aid could be attached to any spending bill designed to keep federal agencies operating after current funding expires Dec. 20. But disaster aid will probably be packaged with a stopgap at the end of the calendar year, senior appropriator Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) told reporters.

“There’ll be some back and forth, and I’d imagine it probably would all ride on the end,” Capito said.

California Prop 12 Solution Absent From 2024 Farm Bill Released by Senate Democrats

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 22:25:41 GMT

U.S. pork producers voiced their disappointment when the 2024 farm bill text released by Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry , didn’t include a Prop 12 solution. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) issued a statement representing pork producers from across the country.

“Though America’s pork producers appreciate Chairwoman Stabenow’s efforts to publish farm bill text, this is simply not a viable bill, as it fails to provide a solution to California Prop. 12 ,” says Lori Stevermer, NPPC president and a pork producer from Easton, Minn. “Pork producers have continually spoken up about the negative impacts of this issue, and it is a shame these conversations were disregarded.”

According to NPPC, it had secured 100% of pork producers’ priorities in the House Agriculture Committee-passed bipartisan 2024 farm bill in May.

The next month, producers once again secured all policy priorities in Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman’s version of the 2024 farm bill framework.

NPPC says it urges both chambers of Congress to swiftly consider and pass a farm bill this year that includes a fix to California Proposition 12, a state law that places arbitrary housing standards on the pork industry, creating uncertainty for pork producers as they look to continue their operations to the next generation.

Your Next Read: Ham Prices and Choices Increase Near Holidays

Stabenow Finally Releases Full Text of Senate Farm Bill; Here's What It Means for Agriculture

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:35:08 GMT

Stabenow unveiled 1,397-page details of her long-awaited farm bill Monday morning. This comes as early Sunday evening Pro Farmer broke the news that Senate Ag Chairwoman (D-Mich.) had briefed Democrats but not Republicans on her coming farm bill text, which was expected to be released Monday.

Stabenow said in a news release and summary of the bill , “The foundation of every successful farm bill is built on holding together the broad, bipartisan farm bill coalition. This is a strong bill that invests in all of agriculture, helps families put food on the table, supports rural prosperity, and holds that coalition together.”

BREAKING: Chairwoman @SenStabenow Introduces Rural Prosperity and Food Security Acthttps://t.co/qRunZlk6zj
— Senate Ag, Nutrition, & Forestry Committee Dems (@SenateAgDems) November 18, 2024

The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act includes $39 billion in new resources “to keep farmers farming, families fed, and rural communities strong.” The bill builds on the proposal Stabenow released in May by investing new resources and including innovative, new ideas to deliver the assistance farmers need faster.

It provides farmers with the certainty of a 5-year farm bill and the immediate help they need to manage the urgent needs of the present. It doubles down on our commitment to rural communities, ensures that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) keeps up with the realities of American life, and brings the historic investments in climate-smart conservation practices into the farm bill. These new investments include:

$20 billion to strengthen the farm safety net to support all of agriculture and establishes a permanent structure for disaster assistance so emergency relief reaches farmers faster;
$8.5 billion to help families make ends meet, put food on the table, and improve access to nutrition assistance;
$4.3 billion to improve quality of life in the rural communities that millions of Americans call home.”

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer has already combed through the bill, and says, “This is our first preview of the Senate Farm Bill Proposal. There appears to be some benefit to production Ag, however, many of the proposals seem to penalize production ag such as the following:

Very limited increase in base acres
Restriction on payments due to ownership of farmland by higher AGI individuals or entities
Reduction in AGI limits
No change to definition of farm income
Possible limit on PLC payments
Items that may benefit production ag include:
Permanent ERP (although this is a very messy program)
Partial advance payments of ARC and PLC
Automatic 2023 and 2024 ARC or PLC decisions”

Senate GOP Ag Committee Ranking Member Reacts

Senate Ag Committee ranking member John Boozman (R-Ark.) on X wrote: “An 11th hour partisan proposal released 415 days after the expiration of the current farm bill is insulting. America’s farmers deserve better.”

“An 11th hour partisan proposal released 415 days after the expiration of the current farm bill is insulting. America’s farmers deserve better.” RM @JohnBoozman
— Senate Ag Committee Republicans (@SenateAgGOP) November 18, 2024

Meanwhile, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) issued the following statement:

“Though America’s pork producers appreciate Chairwoman Stabenow’s efforts to publish Farm Bill text, this is simply not a viable bill, as it fails to provide a solution to California Prop. 12,” said NPPC President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minn. “Pork producers have continually spoken up about the negative impacts of this issue, and it is a shame these conversations were disregarded.”

In May, NPPC secured 100 percent of pork producers’ priorities in the House Agriculture Committee-passed bipartisan 2024 Farm Bill. In June, producers once again secured all policy priorities in Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman’s 2024 Farm Bill framework.

NPPC said it urges both chambers of Congress to swiftly consider and pass a Farm Bill this year that includes a fix to California Proposition 12, a state law that places arbitrary housing standards on the pork industry, creating uncertainty for pork producers as they look to continue their operations to the next generation.

Additional Impact on Agriculture from Farm CPA

In a post this morning, Paul Neiffer of Farm CPA Report included a quick preview of the items that jumped out at him relative to the farm bill details released by Stabenow.

Reference Prices: The House proposal raised reference prices by approximately 10-20%. The Senate proposal appears to raise reference prices by a flat 5% (rounded). Although it appears that Cotton only went up by 4% instead of 5%.
Increase in Base Acres
- Only underserved and disadvantaged farmers may increase base acres
- Based on average of 2018-2022 plantings
- Includes prevent planted acres
- Maximum increase of 160 acres per farm
- If disadvantage farmer does not farm acres during 2025-2029, then increased base acres are eliminated
- Special 2023 and 2024 ARC/PLC election
- Automatic election to be paid the highest amount for 2023 and 2024 crop year even if the farmer originally elected ARC or PLC.

Limit on PLC Payment: The maximum amount of payment for PLC will be 15% of the effective reference price. As example, assume a farmer has a PLC yield of 200 bushels for corn and the effective reference price is $4.30 and the final corn harvest price is $3.50. Under the old PLC rules, the farmer could receive 200 bushels times 80 cents per bushel or $160. Under this proposal, the farmer is limited to 65 cents or $130 per acre.
Partial PLC Payments: Instead of waiting until after October 1 to collect a PLC payment, the farmer, in certain situations may elect to receive up to 50% of the crop beginning February 1. This is based on firm projections by USDA that the final harvest price will be below the effective reference price. If USDA pays too much, then the farmer must pay it back.
Agricultural Risk Coverage: As expected, the Bill increases the guarantee from the current 86% to 88%, less than the 90% in the House Bill. However, not expected, the Bill increases the maximum payment to 12.50% of benchmark revenue, matching the House Bill and makes this retroactive to the 2024 crop. 2023 crop remains at 10%.
Partial ARC Payments: Provides same mechanism for partial payments as under PLC.
Increase to Marketing Loan Rates: For 2025 crops and subsequent years, the loan rate will be the lesser of 110% of current loan rates or an adjustment based on current input costs versus a five-year average.
Sugar Program: Increase sugar cane payment to 24 cents per pound for 2025-2029. Sugar beet growers will receive 136.5% of sugar cane payment rate.
Permanent ERP: Emergency Relief Program would be made permanent (at least until next farm bill). Payment limits of $500,000 for specialty crops and $250,000 for all other crops.
Terms appear similar to old ERP programs, but it does not mandate how USDA will administer it, etc. Also, no extra payment limit if you can prove you are a farmer. This may still be messy for CPAs to help farmers calculate their claim. Also, requires farmers to insure all acres.
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limits: AGI limits dropped from $900,000 to $700,000.
- Increases AGI limits to $1.5 million for specialty and high-value crops.
- What happens if a farmer grows both? The Bill does not address this, other than likely leave it up to USDA to come up with rules.
- Waiver of AGI rules available to economically distressed producer.
- It appears that no payments will be allowed if the land is owned by someone or an entity whose AGI is over $700,000. This means that a farmer who is cash renting that ground will not qualify for any payment on that ground. Under current rules and the House Farm Bill proposal, any farmer who is cash renting the ground and their AGI is under the limit will qualify for a payment. This is a major change and will create the law of unintended consequences. They seem to want to not have an incentive for wealthier individuals to purchase land since their high AGI will not qualify them for any payments but under current rules they get no payment anyway.

Increase in CCC Scoring: Section 1708 indicates that for purposes of CBO scoring, the restrictions on utilizing CCC funds shall be $6.7 billion per year for 2024-2033. The last scoring by CBO was $400 million per year.

CRP Rentals Limit Increased to $125,000 from current $50,000

Crop Insurance Changes: Increases subsidies for beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers to essentially match House proposal.
- Increases SCO to allow for payment at 88% instead of 86% of guarantee. House was at 90%.
- Increases premium subsidies.
Makes improvements to Whole Farm and Micro Farm insurance plans.

Comments:

Several contacts, asked to respond to Stabenow’s late farm bill details, used the same words: “Wow, finally, but too late.” Stabenow is departing Congress after this session ends, and veteran farm bill watchers say this late-entry farm bill is not a positive chapter in her long career. Most are asking why she chose today in releasing the details, and why she took a partisan approach in briefing about the matter.

Why John Thune's Election as Senate Majority Leader is Considered Beneficial for U.S. Agriculture

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 19:50:43 GMT

Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) wins Majority Leader race. Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) was eliminated on the first ballot. And Thune beat Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) 29-24 on the second ballot.

The Thune selection is good for the U.S. ag sector. He has one of the best staff in Congress.

The leadership race unfolded in two rounds of voting: 

In the first ballot, Scott was eliminated. 
In the second and final ballot, Thune secured 29 votes, defeating Cornyn, who received 24 votes.

Donald Trump stayed out of the contest but did make public demands that the incoming majority leader allow him to make recess appointments to his Cabinet. All three men quickly agreed.

Thune’s election as Majority Leader is considered beneficial for the U.S. ag sector for several reasons: 

Agricultural background: Thune has a deep background in ag policy and is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. 
Farm bill experience: He has been involved in writing several farm bills, demonstrating his expertise in agricultural legislation. 
Conservation programs: Thune is an avid supporter of conservation title programs like the Conservation Stewardship Program and Conservation Reserve Program.
Bipartisan approach: He is a skilled negotiator, working for the benefit of all.
Constituency focus: Coming from South Dakota, an agriculture-based state, Thune is likely to keep agricultural interests at the forefront of his agenda.  • Experienced staff: Thune has one of the best staffs in Congress, which can be crucial for effective policymaking and implementation.

Of note: This leadership change marks the end of Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) 18-year tenure as the Senate’s Republican leader. Thune will assume the role of Majority Leader for the next two years, coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. While Thune has had differences with Trump in the past, he has recently worked to improve their relationship and has pledged to advance Trump’s legislative agenda.

Which Presidential Candidate Is More Likely to Tame Inflation or Support Farm Policies and Biofuels?

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:29:26 GMT

The presidential race is a close one , according to election analysts. And when it comes to agriculture, there’s an immense focus on the potential impact on trade, inflation, farm policy and biofuels.

Ahead of the election, the October Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor asked economists which presidential candidate will be better for agriculture on taming inflation, providing more certainty on farm policy, as well as more likely to support biofuels policies. The Monthly Monitor is an anonymous survey of 70 ag economists from across the U.S.

On the question of which candidate would be more effective at taming inflation, 53 percent said Donald Trump.
When it comes to providing more certainty on farm policy and crop insurance, 61 percent of economists said Trump will provide more certainty.
However, when looking at policies that benefit biofuels, 53 percent of economists said Kamala Harris.

45Z and Biofuels Tax Credit in Question

Today, there is no clarity on 45Z that’s causing soybean processors like Cargill and Bunge to possibly slow or even idle production by the end of the year.

“We have industry looking to shut down production of biofuel. If we don’t get the 45Z requirements here released soon, and that doesn’t look likely, unfortunately, that’s going to hurt demand for soybean crushing for soybeans per se,” Suderman said.

“The fact that we don’t have those today, I think, is impeding investment in the sector. And people are asking for that before they spend millions of dollars to do that. And I think that has been a hiccup,” said Brown.

Role of the Federal Government

Heading into a crucial election with not just the presidential race, but also the House and Senate, the October Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor asked, “What is the most important role of the federal government?”

Forty-six percent of economists ranked financial aid as the top priority. Nearly 43 percent said it’s passing a farm bill.

October Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor

(Lindsey Pound)

“There’s all this discussion that the safety net is inadequate relative to commodity programs, and there’s the potential for some rather large ARC and PLC payments to come,” said Brown. “But are they too late? That’s the question. Is it too late in the cycle? Does any type of ad hoc support through a farm financial package bridge that gap?”

The October survey of economists also asked them to weigh in on the fate of the farm bill. The majority of economists think Congress will pass a new farm bill in 2025, but 21 percent think it could be 2026 before it crosses the finish line.

Farm Bill Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor

(Lindsey Pound )

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