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 We’re operating on such an outdated Farm Bill alone, all the way across the board.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
With the Farm Bill now in the Senate’s hands, industry groups say the stakes are high—and timely action could be critical for producers navigating a difficult economic environment.
Domestic demand policy may play a larger role if export competition continues to limit price recovery.
Kansas Congressman Derek Schmidt joins us to discuss House passage of the Farm Bill, its potential impact on farm profitability and stability, key policy compromises, and the outlook for Senate consideration.
The farm bill is still moving, but the toughest amendment fights were pushed into today’s session. ASA President Scott Metzger joins us to discuss the risks of tariff actions on soybean exports, concerns over trade policy and production costs, and the importance of Farm Bill updates.
According to a tweet from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, the full House vote on the Farm Bill will be held until lawmakers return from recess.
The House is moving forward with debate on the Farm Bill after a lengthy session in the House Rules Committee cleared the legislation for floor consideration.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Jonathan Braley joins us to discuss rising cybersecurity threats in agriculture, the risks of ransomware attacks, and how Food and Ag-ISAC’s new guide can help businesses better protect themselves.
ASFMRA’s Skye Root joins us to discuss shifts in Western farmland markets, financial pressures facing producers, and the outside forces influencing land values and decision-making.
Turner built one of the nation’s largest private land holdings while becoming a major force in bison ranching and conservation.
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney and other experts break down ongoing energy market volatility, its impact on producer decision-making, and key indicators farmers should monitor moving forward.