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.
Farm debt is climbing to record levels at ag banks, reflecting pressure on crop producers’ finances even as livestock and land values lend stability to the sector.
October 03, 2025 03:53 PM
·
On Champions of Rural America, Rep. Dusty Johnson underscores the Western Caucus’ ongoing commitment to advocating for farmers and rural communities.
October 03, 2025 03:21 PM
·
Catch the special, “Praise and Worship: More Than a Hollow Hallelujah,” on The Gaither Gospel Hour, Friday at 8 PM ET only on RFD-TV!
October 03, 2025 03:07 PM
·
Consumer demand for regional food systems is strong, but the challenge lies in scaling production and infrastructure to meet that growing need.
October 03, 2025 02:57 PM
·
National FFA Organization Chief Program Officer Christine White previews the programs and activities planned for this year’s FFA Convention.
October 03, 2025 02:43 PM
·
Dave Kestel, a farmer from Will County and member of the Illinois Farm Bureau, joins us to share a boots-on-the-ground update on the 2025 corn harvest.
October 03, 2025 02:30 PM
·
American Coalition for Ethanol’s Ron Lamberty shares the significance of California’s approval, opening up the country’s largest gasoline market to a cleaner-burning, often lower-cost fuel option.
October 03, 2025 01:12 PM
·
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated this week that the government will intervene to help, following China’s withdrawal from the U.S. soybean market. One trader says the industry will remain in a holding pattern until Tuesday.
October 03, 2025 01:04 PM
·
University of Illinois Ag Economist Gary Schnitker says early projections indicate soybeans will be more profitable than corn in 2026.
October 03, 2025 11:53 AM
·
