Senate Ag Committee Chair Says Legislation Needed To Stabilize Farm Finances
Brownfield
The chairman of the Senate Ag Committee says 2026 is a pivotal year for ag policy.
“We are facing a generational crisis right now.”
John Boozman of Arkansas says lawmakers will likely consider key pieces of legislation that will help protect the bottom line for producers. “We need to make sure that we start doing things that put our farmers on a sustainable path for the future.”
Speaking with reporters after a roundtable in northeast Nebraska on Friday, he told Brownfield increasing loan limits in the skinny farm bill is just one of many examples. “If you’re about to imagine that if you’re going to spend on a structure or whatever, it probably costs twice what did a few years ago.”
Boozman says his committee is reviewing the recently passed House version and says the legislation doesn’t have the votes to move forward.
Boozman says additional support for trade missions for commodity organizations could help create more export salesfrom recent trade agreements. “I think we’re going to push hard to spend that money in that direction.”
He says it will then be critical for his committee to follow up to ensure the funds are spent appropriately.
Separately, he says other legislation allowing nationwide, year-round E15 sales could provide a much-needed demand boost if it clears the House. “I think the votes are there.”
Boozman says it will take time for lawmakers to move ag-related legislation because of Senate rules and the negotiations needed to build enough support to get it across the finish line.