WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD NEWS) — Beyond financial protections, the upcoming Farm Bill fight is shaping into a battle over market access, regulation, and whether long-term policy certainty returns to agriculture.
The proposal expands export promotion funding, shifts Food for Peace authority to the USDA, and increases support for overseas market development programs. Lawmakers also target foreign trade barriers and infrastructure constraints that affect U.S. agricultural competitiveness.
Farm-Level Takeaway: The debate now matters as much as the policy — market rules and regulatory clarity depend on whether Congress can finish the bill this year.
Tony St. James
Regulatory provisions narrow water jurisdiction rules, clarify livestock production standards across state lines, and reduce pesticide approval uncertainty — all issues producers have argued add operational risk. Rural development sections fund broadband, health facilities, childcare, and processing capacity to stabilize rural economies that support agriculture.
However, passage is far from certain. Nutrition spending disputes, SNAP reforms, and broader budget negotiations remain major obstacles as the House Agriculture Committee begins markup.
Failure to pass a full bill would likely mean another short-term extension — continuing uncertainty around support programs and regulatory direction. Markup by the House Agriculture Committee begins on Monday.
Rebuilding domestic textiles depends on automation and vertical integration, not tariffs or legacy manufacturing models.
February 09, 2026 12:05 PM
·
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey spoke with U.S. Congressmen Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and John Rose (R-TN), who say bipartisan cooperation will be key to getting the Farm Bill to the president’s desk.
February 09, 2026 11:46 AM
·
The EPA has approved over-the-top dicamba applications for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons, outlining new rules that impact herbicide use for U.S. crop producers.
February 09, 2026 11:32 AM
·
Predator pressure and public lands policy were front and center at CattleCon.
February 06, 2026 04:29 PM
The USDA’s February WASDE report looms as the CME Ag Economy Barometer shows declining farmer confidence, and more ag industry groups calling for swift policy action.
February 06, 2026 04:18 PM
·
Congressman Pete Stauber explains why the repeal of a Biden-era mining ban is good not only for his home state of Minnesota – it’s good for America.
February 06, 2026 03:56 PM
Dr. Peter Beetham, interim CEO of Cibus, joined us to discuss the status of EU gene-editing deregulation and its potential implications for agriculture.
February 06, 2026 12:36 PM
·
Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX), who sits on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, spoke exclusively with RFD NEWS about what Congress is doing to address screwworm concerns, including funding for a sterile fly production facility in Mexico.
February 06, 2026 12:07 PM
·
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy calls on cattle producers to retain breeding cows while Ivomec receives emergency authorization to prevent New World screwworm.
February 06, 2026 11:48 AM
·
