WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — The Senate is set to return from recess next week, with the agriculture industry watching closely for movement on a new Farm Bill.
While Congress invested in the farm safety net through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year, hundreds of other programs traditionally addressed through the Farm Bill still need updating.
Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss where the Farm Bill stands and what farmers want to see happen before the end of the year.
“We are advocating for a full bipartisan Farm Bill to get across the finish line,” Glenn said.
Senate Farm Bill Faces Next Step
In his interview with RFD News, Glenn emphasized that the Senate returning next week ready to pass a full, five-year Farm Bill remains a top priority for the Farm Bureau, farmers, and ranchers.
He pointed to the farm safety-net enhancements and investments in farm programs included in H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but said many other programs still need attention.
"The Farm Bureau’s message is that we are urging senators to find a bipartisan pathway forward — to get this bill out of the Senate Ag Committee and get this bill across the finish line — so we can have a full, complete, five-year Farm Bill by the end of this year. We are going to have many farmers up here in Washington, D.C., talking to senators. We are partnering with several other national commodity groups to unify around the same message, which is: Pass a Farm Bill."
The House passed a bipartisan Farm Bill at the end of April under Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson.
Attention is now focused on the Senate, where Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman and ranking member Amy Klobuchar have held discussions and committee members have met on the legislation.
The Senate Agriculture Committee held a markup for the Agricultural Act of 2026 on August 6, but the bill did not advance.
Glenn said Senator Mitch McConnell was not present to vote with Republicans, and Democrats did not vote for the bill because of a delay in SNAP state cost sharing.
As senators return next week, Farm Bureau is calling for a bipartisan path forward to advance the legislation through the Senate Agriculture Committee and ultimately complete a five-year Farm Bill.
Farmers Seeking Certainty
Glenn said the Senate Farm Bill is nearly 1,000 pages and includes hundreds of programs that farmers and ranchers rely on.
Many of those programs have not been updated since 2018.
“We know that times have changed since 2018,” Glenn said. “Economic conditions, the farm economy looks a lot different now in 2026 than it looked in 2018.”
He said a full five-year Farm Bill would provide farmers and ranchers with greater certainty.
Key Provisions in the Senate Bill
Among the provisions Farm Bureau is highlighting is access to year-round E15.
Glenn said expanded E15 access could significantly drive demand in the farm economy, with the potential for up to 2.4 billion bushels of corn per year.
The legislation also includes updated loan limits and enhanced financing options in the credit title.
Glenn also highlighted updated agricultural research programs, which he said are important for addressing current challenges and future opportunities through innovation.
Farm Bureau Calls for Bipartisan Action
As senators return to Washington, Glenn said Farm Bureau’s message is focused on completing the legislation.
“The Farm Bureau’s message is that we are urging senators to find a bipartisan pathway forward — to get this bill out of the Senate Ag Committee and get this bill across the finish line — so we can have a full, complete, five-year Farm Bill by the end of this year,” Glenn said.
Farmers are expected to be in Washington, D.C., speaking with senators about the legislation, while Farm Bureau is partnering with several national commodity groups around a unified message.
Glenn emphasized that their objective is to pass a full, five-year Farm Bill by year’s end.
