American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today expressed deep disappointment in the failure of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to advance a farm bill. He called on senators to return to the negotiating table for the sake of rural communities across America.
Read MoreThe Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry met on Thursday to consider the Agricultural Act of 2026. While the committee failed to report the bill out of committee by a vote of 10-11, they may reconvene after the August recess if an agreement can be reached.
Read MoreMore than 250 food and agriculture organizations joined forces to urge the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to advance a bipartisan farm bill out of committee in a letter delivered today. The American Farm Bureau organized the letter, which notes that farmers and ranchers haven't had a new farm bill in almost ten years.
Read MoreThe Senate Agriculture Committee’s farm bill markup is scheduled for this Thursday. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the bill contains several major wins for Farm Bureau and U.S. agriculture.
Read MoreSenate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) says Thursday’s Senate farm bill hearing is a make-or-break moment for a five-year Farm Bill. Included in the Senate’s text is a one-year delay for states to share the cost of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The bill shifts the requirement from beginning in 2028 to 2029.
Read MoreOn Friday, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) released revised legislative text and announced the Agricultural Act of 2026 would come before the committee on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at 9:30 AM ET. The updated bill includes new language authorizing year-round sales of E15 and postponing by a year the implementation of a requirement for states to share the cost of providing SNAP benefits.
Read MoreGerard Frey is pleased with the rice coming through the combine this summer. He is less than satisfied with what that rice is worth.
According to Frey, a rice and crawfish farmer, first-crop rice harvest is going well. He operates with GX2 Farms, which has a little over half of their crop already in, and so far yields are generally reaching the high 40s and low 50s in barrels per acre.
Read MoreOn June 30, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), introduced the bipartisan Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 (SAWA or H.R. 9535), which would expand access to the H-2A agricultural guest worker program. The H-2A visa program, established under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, allows U.S. agricultural employers to hire temporary non-immigrant foreign workers when domestic labor is unavailable.
Read MoreSenate lawmakers are beginning work on the next phase of the 2026 farm bill after the House approved its version last week, setting up negotiations over commodity programs, conservation funding and livestock regulations.
Read MoreFederal agriculture research and crop policy remain major issues as lawmakers continue discussions surrounding the 2026 farm bill and USDA priorities.
Read MoreCongress returns this week with major agriculture issues dominating the agenda, including fertilizer costs, biofuel policy and farm economic concerns.
Read MoreAll eyes shifted to the U.S. Senate after the House passed its farm bill last week.
Read MoreThe U.S. House has passed a sweeping Farm Bill that, for the first time, meaningfully integrates seafood into federal agriculture policy—offering potential gains for commercial fishers, shrimpers and processors.
Read MoreThe House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act on a 224-200 vote after two days of debate and a final round of amendment fights that reshaped the bill. The vote showed leadership held together a narrow coalition, with 14 Democrats supporting the measure, while 3 Republicans voted no.
Read MoreThe U.S. House approved, 224-200, a five-year farm bill Thursday as members of Congress attempt to update major agriculture and nutrition policy after three years of extensions.
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