(WASHINGTON D.C.) — Major agricultural organizations are ramping up pressure on the Senate Agriculture Committee as it prepares to mark up the Agricultural Act of 2026 — the long-awaited “Farm Bill 2.0” — on Thursday, with groups largely aligned on the need for swift, bipartisan action even as some push for further changes to the underlying text.
NFU: Progress Made, But Bill Falls Short
National Farmers Union sent a letter to Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) urging further improvements to the legislation before it advances. NFU President Rob Larew acknowledged the bill’s most recent draft includes some wins for producers, including permanent, year-round authorization of E15, but argued the legislation doesn’t go far enough to address the pressures family farmers and ranchers are facing.
“After years of delays, family farmers and ranchers need a bipartisan farm bill that addresses today’s challenges and strengthens our food system for the future,” Larew wrote. “But as currently drafted, the legislation does not rise to meet the challenges family farmers are facing.”
In a separate letter, NFU joined the American Farm Bureau Federation in backing an amendment from Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) that would codify USDA’s recently finalized Packers and Stockyards Act rules. NFU said it will continue working with committee leadership to build a bill capable of earning broad support from both producers and consumers.
ASA: Time Is Running Out for a Five-Year Deal
The American Soybean Association, in a Thursday morning news release, is urgently calling on the committee to advance a bipartisan, five-year farm bill without further delay. ASA President and Ohio soybean farmer Scott Metzger pointed to a difficult farm economy as reason for lawmakers to act now.
“America’s soybean farmers continue to face a challenging farm economy marked by rising input costs, low commodity prices, and continued trade uncertainty,” Metzger said. “Now is the time for Congress to come together and pass a farm bill that supports the agricultural community and reflects today’s economic realities across the finish line.”
Metzger noted that Congress is nearing the expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill, which has already been extended three times, and warned that time is running short to deliver new legislation.
NCGA: Push to Beat the August Recess
The National Corn Growers Association also sent a letter to committee leadership, urging action before lawmakers leave for the planned August recess. NCGA President and Ohio farmer Jed Bower cited a limited legislative calendar as reason for urgency.
“Corn growers recognize there are limited legislative days remaining in this Congress for the farm bill and E15 to pass and be signed into law,” Bower wrote. “With these views considered, NCGA urges the Committee to advance the farm bill this week ahead of the planned August recess.”
Bower singled out the bill’s year-round E15 provision as a particular win for corn growers.
“This deregulatory action will help corn growers and the rural economy during this difficult time and will also address issues around affordability by lowering prices at the pump,” he said. “NCGA is extremely grateful that year-round E15 is included in the Agricultural Act.”
The Senate Agriculture Committee’s markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026 is expected to begin Thursday morning at 9am EST.
