Farm Bill Frustrations: Industry leaders and lawmakers are calling for a new five-year legislation

Farmers and ranchers are growing impatient waiting for a five-year Farm Bill.

The Idaho Farm Bureau says this year has been especially frustrating.

“We can’t control the weather. We can’t control Congress as hard as we try. We got a Farm Bill that’s two years overdue. We’re operating on such an outdated Farm Bill alone, all the way across the board. And every time it feels like you make a little progress, or you feel like we’re going to get something, the contention kicks in and it just becomes too political,” Bryan Searle, president of the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation.

Kansas Representative Tracey Mann recently spoke on the House floor, urging colleagues to act. He said he wants to see more focus on disease prevention in agriculture.

“It is past time for Congress to pass a fiscally conservative five-year farm bill, including support for agriculture research and development. We’ve seen the devastating impact disease outbreaks can have with the HPAI virus, and now we must take steps to prevent the New World Screwworm from reaching our borders,” said Rep. Tracey Mann.

House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson hopes to have a new Farm Bill out of committee by this Fall.

Related Stories
As ag lawmakers in the Senate await the House vote on the Farm Bill, they are eager to discuss the challenges farmers face before it is their turn to take up the critical legislation.
House ag leaders had hoped to get the Farm Bill voted on by Easter, but no dates have been secured just yet.
OHFB President Bill Patterson shares an update from Washington on the group’s policy priorities and the issues shaping agriculture ahead of the 2026 planting season.
Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and Kansas congressman Dan Glickman joined RFD News to share his outlook on agricultural policy, bipartisan cooperation, and the challenges facing farmers today.
The bill has already cleared the House Agriculture Committee and is headed toward a full House vote, but the timeline for final passage remains unclear. But the question is, when exactly? Could it possibly be a nice little gift for Easter?
UNL student fellow Alison Walbrecht shares her perspective on building support for agricultural research, extension, and teaching while gaining hands-on insight into federal policymaking.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Let’s meet an inspiring young farmer leading the Tennessee FFA this year, but now has his sights set on the National stage.
Cindy Kovar with AgriSafe joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to talk about road safety and agriculture as we age.
USMEF CEO Dan Halstrom joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report for his analysis on the U.S.-Taiwan trade agreement, which includes big bucks for U.S. Beef.
Record U.S. sorghum crop faces weak demand as China slashes imports, while corn farmers warn of rising costs, shrinking margins, and global market pressures.
Fewer cattle on feed suggest smaller slaughter numbers this winter, which could support strong prices if beef demand holds firm.
Dairy farmers are expected to face strong output and export gains, but lower prices and tighter margins will persist into next year.