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.
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Todd Janzen with Janzen Schroeder Ag Law explains the updated ag data use agreement model and what it means for farmers and companies alike.
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Sen. Amy Klobuchar has four years remaining in her Senate term and could decide to continue serving in that role while campaigning for Governor of Minnesota.
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Roger McEowen explains the concept of “lawfare” — the use of legal systems to intimidate or financially exhaust an opponent — which grew into a central theme of U.S. ag law in 2025.
January 29, 2026 07:00 AM
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Justin Wheeler with the American Society of Farm Managers & Rural Appraisers joined us with insight into current farmland values and what to watch in the year ahead.
January 28, 2026 02:42 PM
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Strong White House backing supports ethanol demand, but timing now hinges on Congress resolving procedural — at the same time as they push toward a spending bill to avert another federal government shutdown.
January 28, 2026 11:35 AM
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Greater transparency into USDA-backed lending can help rural lenders and producers better assess credit availability and investment trends.
January 28, 2026 07:00 AM
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Roger McEowen, with the Washburn School of Law, offers an in-depth look at two of the top legal issues of 202. Today, he walks through last year’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) ruling and “lawfare.”
January 27, 2026 02:53 PM
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Lewis Williamson of HTS Commodities joined us with an update on the historic winter storm impacts and his outlook on today’s ag markets.
January 27, 2026 02:39 PM
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