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.
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Record ethanol production and improving blending demand continue to support corn usage despite rising short-term inventories.
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A disciplined, breakeven-based marketing plan helps protect margins and reduce risk, even when markets remain unpredictable.
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Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
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Alissa White with American Farmland Trust joined us to provide insight into climate resilience efforts and strategies to help farmers manage weather-related risks.
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University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to share practical health and safety guidance for managing respiratory and skin health during the winter season.
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Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
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