Energy
Year-round sales of E-15 are another major topic on Capitol Hill, which, according to Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), is one issue up for debate this session with significant bipartisan support.
As domestic production and blending slowed, export demand remained a clear bright spot.
Higher ethanol blend rates translate directly into stronger, more durable corn demand if regulatory momentum holds.
Improving consumer confidence supports baseline food and fuel demand, but cautious spending limits upside potential for ag markets in 2026.
Strong ethanol production and export trends continue to support corn demand despite seasonal fuel consumption softness.
Champions of Rural America: Iowa Congressman Outlines ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Benefits for Agriculture
Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-IA, details how the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA) supports farmers, biofuels, and rural communities with tax breaks, crop insurance relief, and ag infrastructure.
More than 1,100 residents and farmers have signed a letter urging Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to step in, saying the proposal threatens irrigation supplies and long-term farm viability in the region.
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
Stronger rail movement and lower fuel prices are easing logistics, even as export pace and river conditions remain uneven.
NRECA CEO Jim Matheson reacts to the U.S. House’s passage of the SPEED Act, which aims to streamline federal permitting for energy and infrastructure projects, and discusses its potential impact on rural communities.