LUBBOCK, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — The House Appropriations Committee advanced the fiscal 2027 Agriculture-FDA funding bill on Thursday, moving another major spending measure forward while adjusting support across U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies. The bill cleared committee with bipartisan support and now heads toward possible House floor consideration.
The measure provides $22.5 billion for USDA, which is $675 million below the fiscal 2026 enacted level. Funding for APHIS held steady at $1.158 billion, while AMS was reduced by $6.8 million to $201.6 million. The Farm Service Agency was funded at $1.1 billion, down $19 million, and NRCS received $800 million, down $50 million.
Food safety funding moved the other direction. The Food Safety and Inspection Service received $1.23 billion, an increase from the previous year. The committee also backed language supporting APHIS work on foreign animal disease and pest mitigation.
That included support for $13.5 million for electronic identification tags in the Animal Disease Traceability program. The committee also reaffirmed USDA authority to transfer emergency funds under the Animal Health Protection Act for disease or pest response.
The bill also included report language on New World screwworm, urging APHIS to assess staffing, inspection capacity, and border reopening needs tied to livestock trade. The measure now moves closer to floor debate as appropriators turn next to the Interior-Environment bill.
Farm-Level Takeaway: The spending bill keeps animal health and traceability funding in place while trimming several other USDA accounts.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney discusses the latest developments in the Supreme Court, trade tariffs, and the future of the USMCA under President Donald Trump.
January 14, 2026 11:54 AM
·
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
·
A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
·
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today unveiled a bold plan to protect the nation’s prime farm and ranchland from the rapid spread of data centers.
January 13, 2026 03:36 PM
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
·
China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
January 13, 2026 02:13 PM
·
