No Rest for the Weary: Ag advisors warn to put pressure on legislators to get the Farm Bill done

Ag groups, lawmakers, and farmers are eager to see action on the Farm Bill. While it likely will not see much movement until later this year, ag advisors say it is important to put pressure on lawmakers.

“There is still hope, and we are witnessing, and we hear this from the leadership in Congress, that they still intend to bring it forward this year,” said Cassandra Kuball, vice president of the Torrey Advisory Group. “They need to stay positive with that, and it’s a way to ensure that we’re still engaging on the Farm Bill. Nothing’s officially done and closed. So, this is a reminder to the ag community that you still need to get out there and talk about the importance of what matters to you with that Farm Bill, despite whether or not it’s taken up this year or gets kicked to next year.”

The Farm Bill is currently running on the second one-year extension of the 2018 legislation, but it could be some time before it makes any big moves. One former Washington insider says a lot is happening right now, directly involving agriculture.

“We’ve got trade tariffs, and we have to deal with the budget deficit, and we have to try to pass a new Farm Bill,” said Randy Russell. ‘We’ve got to try to get new trade agreements. We have immigration issues that obviously affect the impact and the supply of ag labor. There is no rest for the weary in Washington.”

Russell says this all shows how badly we need leadership at the USDA. He is urging senators to quickly confirm Brooke Rollins for U.S. Ag Secretary.

Related Stories
With the U.S.–Vietnam agreement nearing signature, U.S. cotton, corn, and soybean exporters could lock in new demand lanes just as global supply shifts.
The government reopens after 43 days. USDA resumes key reports, weighs farm aid, and watches China’s next move on U.S. soybean purchases.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney shares insights from a recent study, discusses EV market access in Canada, and highlights other market opportunities top of mind for Canadian producers.
USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom shares how recent trade talks are influencing U.S. red meat global sales and the importance of key trade agreements like the USMCA.
Iowa Ag Secretary Naig recaps discussions surrounding a potential federal aid package for farmers and shares insights on producer sentiment in the Heartland.
Enforceable origin labels could create clearer premiums for U.S. cattle and address concerns some producers have had with competition from foreign imported beef.
A court decision that overturns Enlist labels would remove two major herbicides from use and reshape EPA’s future mitigation policies for other pesticides.
Rural businesses report softer sales, tougher hiring, and restrained investment — a backdrop that can pinch farm support capacity even if posted prices cool.
A Reuters report shows China has a soybean “glut,” finding stockpiles at Chinese ports are at record levels, with crushers there holding the most supplies since 2017.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Tim and Sharyn Abbott of the Music City Celebration Sale recap the weekend’s premier auction, which drew top dairy breeders and buyers to Nashville again this year from across North America.
The bill to once again allow schools to offer whole milk and 2% milk will now go to President Trump for approval.
Plans are underway for the 27th annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, a June event celebrating farm heritage, tractor history, and rural traditions. Event manager Matt Kenney joins us to highlight the importance of commemorating farm heritage.
Farm Legal Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joins us to share more about the North Dakota court decision and the its larger impact on agriculture.
Fertilizer markets face uncertainty after President Trump raised the possibility of tariffs on Canadian imports, with analysts warning of supply and pricing risks. Josh Linville with StoneX provides a fertilizer industry outlook.