WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The Senate Agriculture Committee has advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026, moving the Farm Bill closer to consideration by the full Senate as farmers and ranchers continue to face high production costs and weak commodity prices.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Director of Government Affairs Brian Glenn joined us again this week on Market Day Report to renew their plea for Congress to complete a five-year Farm Bill by the end of the year.
Call for More Economic Assistance for Agriculture
Glenn said more than 100 farmers were in Washington this week meeting with Senate offices and delivering what he described as a unified message: Congress should pass a final five-year Farm Bill by the end of the year.
“We hear from farmers and ranchers across the country every day about the challenging farm economy, the volatile production expenses in diesel and fertilizer prices, the low commodity prices,” Glenn said.
Farm Bureau is also calling for additional economic assistance to help farmers reach the next growing season.
The organization has identified economic assistance and protection of interstate commerce from a patchwork of state laws as priorities that still need to be addressed.
House and Senate Versions Need to Align
With the Senate committee having advanced its version, the House and Senate bills will eventually need to be reconciled. Glenn said he is not concerned about those differences and expects lawmakers and committee staff to work together toward a final bill.
“I think that lawmakers will come together, staff on the House and Senate committees will work together to resolve the differences between the bills and ultimately get a final Farm Bill done across the finish line by the end of the year,” Glenn said.
The Senate Agriculture Committee describes the current Senate proposal as a comprehensive update to programs covering agriculture, nutrition, conservation and rural development.
Year-Round E15 Remains a Farm Bureau Priority
Glenn also highlighted year-round E15 as a major Farm Bureau priority. The Senate Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill includes authorization for nationwide year-round E15 sales, but it was a point of contention during House debate and was removed from the bill text to run as a separate amendment.
Glenn said Farm Bureau economists estimate expanded E15 could create an additional 2.4 billion bushels of annual corn demand once year-round E15 is fully scaled up.
“We have been calling on Congress to get this done. We are pleased to see it in this Farm Bill, and we need them to deliver on this by the end of the year,” Glenn said.
Updating Key Safety Net Programs: “The Farm Economy Has Changed Since 2018"
Glenn said farmers and ranchers are also looking for updates to programs that have not been significantly revised since the 2018 Farm Bill.
While farmers received farm safety-net investments through the Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, Glenn said additional Farm Bill programs still need updating.
He pointed specifically to the credit title, saying some loan limits and financing options have not been updated since 2018.
“Those are programs that need to be updated to accurately reflect the 2026 farm economy,” Glenn said.
The Senate Farm Bill would increase Farm Service Agency direct and guaranteed loan limits and update financing provisions for farmers and other agricultural businesses.
Farm Bill Deadline Approaching Fast
Glenn said the focus now is on moving the legislation through the Senate and ultimately resolving differences between the House and Senate.
The Farm Bureau has said a comprehensive five-year bill is needed to provide certainty for farmers and ranchers, while hundreds of Farm Bill programs remain due for reauthorization or updates.
The current Farm Bill extension is set to expire September 30, 2026.
