As Congress works toward a new Farm Bill, a House Ag Subcommittee talked conservation.
Lawmakers heard from five ag groups, including Tim Fink of the American Farmland Trust, who said that there is room to improve on how crop insurance interacts with conservation.
“I’ll say first and foremost, we need to make sure that the crop insurance system is not conflicting with these good farming practices. There’s been a lot of progress on that front, and there’s still probably progress to be made. I think the other aspect is that when we look at the crop insurance system, if we’re talking about creating additional incentives, it’s something that has to be actuarially sound, and the good news is, when we look at cover crop adoption, we’ve seen a lot of the research, it is reducing overall indemnity payments in the face of a lot of these extreme weather events. It’s also reducing prevent planting payments, and so whatever we can do that looks at the actuarially soundness, builds the research to make that case, and ultimately, our goal is to reward farmers for practices that are saving the public money and saving themselves money.”
Fink says that the Ag Land Easement Subprogram is crucial to preventing land loss. Without policy intervention, AFT estimates 18 million acres of farmland will be lost by 2040.
From projected drops in input costs to biofuel expansion and the USDA’s new “One Farmer, One File” initiative, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins shared key policy priorities at Commodity Classic that put farm issues back in the spotlight.
February 27, 2026 11:32 AM
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NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart discussed the legal process behind delisting the prairie chicken, the challenges ranchers faced under the bird’s previous protections, and the benefits of cooperative habitat management for both livestock and wildlife.
February 27, 2026 10:55 AM
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U.S.-Mexico agricultural trade faces uncertainty in 2026 as tariffs and cartel violence threaten farmers and ranchers. Congressman Henry Cuellar and Texas leaders weigh in on impacts and risks.
February 27, 2026 09:00 AM
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Through “One Farmer, One File,” USDA’s mission is to create a single, streamlined record that follows the farmer — no matter where they go in the USDA system.
February 26, 2026 05:13 PM
USDA headquarters downsizing reflects cost pressures and may reshape agency operations.
February 26, 2026 03:45 PM
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At Commodity Classic in San Antonio, growers explore new herbicide options, John Deere’s latest 8 Series tractors, and cutting-edge ag technology shaping the 2026 planting season. Here are some of RFD NEWS’ highlights from the event so far.
February 26, 2026 02:57 PM
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