Blooming Progress: Sunflower growers are happy about this year’s reconciliation package

The U.S. sunflower crop is shaping up well this year.

One group says things really turned around when the “Big, Beautiful Bill” was signed into law.

“One of the things that we spent a lot of time on was when Congress was working on the ‘Big, Beautiful Bill.’ The provisions there for the Farm Bill have just been phenomenal for our producers. We got higher reference prices, better crop insurance coverage, and loan rates were increased, and they could add some acres to their base acres, so we worked hard on that, and we’re thankful to see all that come to fruition. Honestly, the way the Farm Bill was progressing, I mean, it was going to be difficult to get something through Congress, so it was our best vehicle, and I’m glad it worked out,” said John Sandbakken.

Despite the wins in the reconciliation process, sunflower growers are still looking ahead to a new five-year Farm Bill.

Lawmakers are expected to tackle that when they return to the hill next month.

Related Stories
Crush demand is supporting soybeans despite biofuel uncertainty.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The agriculture workforce remains strong and diverse, offering meaningful pathways for students pursuing careers that support the food and farm economy.
Screwworm.gov has targeted resources for a wide range of stakeholders, including livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, wildlife professionals, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public.
Mike Steenhoek of the Soy Transportation Coalition discusses industry reactions to the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger, the Surface Transportation Board’s review process, and current conditions on the Mississippi River.
Richard Gupton of the Agricultural Retailers Association explains a new resource designed to help farmers comply with ESA-related pesticide label requirements.
Sen. Roger Marshall discusses the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and what expanded milk options could mean for students and dairy farmers. Industry groups say it is a win for student nutrition and dairy producers.
Crop producers face tightening credit and lower incomes, while strong cattle markets continue to stabilize finances in livestock-heavy regions.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.