WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-IA, and member of the Congressional Western Caucus, has been advocating for crop farmers, livestock producers, and the biofuels industry since taking office in 2021. He serves on the House Agriculture and Ways and Means Committees and has focused on legislation supporting rural communities.
On this week’s Champions of Rural America, Feenstra joined us to discuss his work on the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” Act (OBBBA), which included measures benefiting farmers such as a $15 million estate tax exemption, lower crop insurance costs, increased reference prices for corn and soybeans, and immediate expensing for new farm facilities. He emphasized that lawmakers also earmarked funding to invest across all sectors of the ag industry—from improving biosecurity to prevent the spread of foreign animal diseases to supporting tax incentives for farm equipment and infrastructure.
While Feenstra highlighted the bill’s benefits, he stressed the importance of passing a comprehensive Farm Bill to secure conservation and research funding, improve export markets, and ensure refrigeration for dairy, cattle, and hogs. He also explained the importance of protecting American farmland from foreign adversaries, for example, the recent move to add phosphate and potash to the list of critical minerals to strengthen domestic fertilizer production.
In closing, Feenstra highlighted rural America’s vital role in feeding the world, producing domestic energy, and supporting the biofuels industry.
Leslee Oden, president of the National Turkey Federation, and Jay Jandrain, CEO of Butterball, joined us in the studio on Monday to discuss the history, significance, and expectations surrounding this year’s presidential turkey pardon.
November 24, 2025 12:04 PM
·
According to November’s Cattle on Feed Report, Nebraska now leads the nation in cattle feeding as tighter supplies continue to reshape regional market power and long-term price dynamics.
November 24, 2025 11:47 AM
·
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
November 24, 2025 11:32 AM
·
Higher rail tariffs and tighter Canadian supplies will keep oat transportation costs firm into 2026.
November 24, 2025 11:22 AM
·
November 21, 2025 07:30 PM
·
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
November 21, 2025 07:02 PM
·
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.
November 21, 2025 02:09 PM
·
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.
November 21, 2025 01:59 PM
·
Richard Gupton of the Agricultural Retailers Association explains a new resource designed to help farmers comply with ESA-related pesticide label requirements.
November 21, 2025 01:56 PM
·
