(WASHINGTON D.C.) — Increasing domestic demand for U.S. agriculture products like corn and soybeans was a key highlight in testimony this week by agriculture leaders before the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
The nation’s corn growers would benefit from increasing and creating new domestic demand for ethanol according to Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower. During his testimony, Bower zeroed in on expanding consumer access to fuels with 15% ethanol blends, often called E15. Thanks to an obsolete clause in the Clean Air Act, the sale of E15 is prohibited during the summer months unless the Environmental Protection Agency issues a waiver.
“Year-round access to E15 is critical,” Bower told the committee. “Aside from the economic boost it would provide to farmers, year-round E15 would lead to significant savings for American consumers and strengthen U.S. energy dominance at a time when geopolitics are increasingly complicating markets and supply chains.”
Grower leaders have pushed hard for passage of E15 legislation, but despite several promising opportunities, attempts to pass the legislation have fallen short.
American Soybean Association (ASA) President Scott Metzger, a soybean farmer from Williamsport, Ohio, emphasized that expanding domestic demand is critical for American soybean farmers who are facing declining commodity prices, rising input costs, and continued trade uncertainty.
“Farmers need export markets and reliable trade agreements,” Metzger said. “That holds true today, just as it did in 2018 and 2025. Developing strong and growing domestic markets for our crops will support our farm economy.”
Both Metzger and Bower highlighted the important role federal biofuel policy plays in supporting farmers and they urged the administration to finalize guidance for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit and Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations for 2026 and 2027.
“These policies will provide certainty for the biofuels industry and help ensure U.S. soybean oil remains a competitive feedstock for biomass-based diesel and other renewable fuels,” Metzger said.
“Corn-based ethanol can play a major role as a feedstock for producing aviation fuel,” Bower said. “The 45Z tax credit, which Congress wisely extended in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is poised to help stimulate expansion of this rising industry.”
Bower also noted that corn growers are actively exploring an emerging opportunity for ethanol in marine fuel. “Potentially reaching volumes of over four billion gallons within the next five years, the marine fuel market symbolizes an unprecedented opportunity for American corn farmers and the crops we produce.”
North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue testified at this week’s hearing as well, to underscore the importance of expanding domestic consumption of American agricultural products.
“Family farmers are experiencing real economic pain. We need real solutions”, said Perdue. “We look forward to working with the Senate Agriculture Committee
Perdue urged the committee to take swift action to address rising costs, low commodity prices, and growing market consolidation that are straining family farms and ranchers. He called for immediate approval of year‑round E15, stronger support for renewable fuels, continued investment in local and regional food systems, and meaningful enforcement against anti‑competitive practices.
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), said in his opening remarks that “today’s hearing comes at a time of great financial stress for America’s farmers. If you are putting something in the ground, you are losing money. It doesn’t matter what you are planting or where you are planting it, no row crop is currently profitable. In my home state of Arkansas, the last three years have been absolutely harrowing. Arkansas now holds the unfortunate distinction of leading the nation in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies—a sobering statistic.”
Senator Boozman added that he and his colleagues remain committed to “pursuing additional financial assistance for our farmers to lengthen and widen the Farmer Bridge Assistance program that President Trump announced in December.” He added that “the recent history of high input costs, high labor costs, and high interest rates coupled with low prices and significant trade headwinds for certain commodities should give us all good reason to think about what the future of agriculture in the United States should look like.”
The hearing comes as many farmers are experiencing a fourth consecutive year of financial losses. To make matters worse, input costs for fertilizers and crop protections are high and rising.
Read Bower’s testimony here: https://dt176nijwh14e.cloudfront.net/file/853/Bower%20NCGA%20testimony%20FINAL.pdf
Read Metzger’s testimony here: https://soygrowers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ASA-Metzger-Testimony-Senate-Ag-March-10-2026.pdf
Read Perdue’s testimony here: https://www.agriculture.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/dca45105-ca2f-4467-7806-31663d8955e8/Testimony_Perdue_03.10.2026.pdf
