Senate Ag Committee advances farm bill 

On Sept. 16, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry advanced the Agricultural Act of 2026 out of committee. 

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, PA-15, said in a news release, the legislation complements the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 which passed out of the House of Representatives in April. 

“Advancing the Agricultural Act of 2026 from committee is a significant step in the right direction as we work to restore certainty and common sense to agricultural policy,” Thompson said. “Farm country cannot wait any longer for updated policies, and I applaud Chairman (John) Boozman and Senate Republicans for recognizing this urgency, even as Senate Democrats refuse to come to the table to support American producers.” 

According to Thompson, passing a full, five-year farm bill remains his top priority. 

“I look forward to working with any lawmakers who make good faith efforts to support our producers in the coming months,” he said. 

The news of the advancement of the farm bill brought a barrage of reactions from farm groups. 

Wheat 

The National Association of Wheat Growers applauded the senate advancement and called for continued progress. Moving the comprehensive bill one step closer to consideration by the full senate is a win. 

According to a news release from NAWG, the legislation includes several priorities important to wheat farmers, including support for agricultural research, risk-management and trade programs, expanded access to agricultural credit, and the permanent transfer of the Food for Peace program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

“Wheat farmers have waited far too long for the certainty of a new farm bill, and today’s vote is an important step toward finally getting this legislation across the finish line,” NAWG CEO Sam Kieffer said. “We applaud Chairman Boozman and members of the Committee for addressing many of the challenges facing wheat farmers and moving this legislation forward.” 

Kieffer said committee action must not be the end of the road. 

“Wheat growers are still facing stubbornly high input costs and prolonged global uncertainty, while operating under a farm bill that hasn’t kept pace with today’s economic realities,” he said. “Senate leadership must bring the farm bill to the floor and pass it as soon as possible.” 

NAWG wants the full Senate to pass a comprehensive farm bill, and work with the House to deliver a final package to the president’s desk without further delay. 

Corn 

The National Corn Growers Association urged further action as corn harvest approaches. In a statement, NCGA said the legislation contains many corn grower policy priorities. This includes language that would allow for the year-round sale of fuels with 15% ethanol blends, often referred to as E15. 

Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower said in a statement he was pleased with the passage and believes it is one step further in the legislative process. 

“The Senate farm bill would expand year-round consumer access to E15, which is important to farmers and the rural economy. It has the potential to significantly lower gas prices across the country while shoring up the nation’s energy security,” he said.  

However, there is still work that remains, according to Bower. 

“The 2026 corn crop is the most expensive crop we’ve ever planted, raised, and are now harvesting,” he said. “The pressures on the ag economy only continue to mount. We encourage the full Senate to take bipartisan action to provide certainty in a worrisome time by voting to pass this legislation.” 

Sorghum 

The National Sorghum Producers praised the advancement of the farm bill and said it’s one step closer to a long overdue farm bill. 

“Farmers have waited far too long for the certainty of an updated farm bill,” NSP Chair Amy France said in a statement. “Today’s vote is an important step forward for producers facing weak prices, high input costs and continued uncertainty.” 

France is a sorghum farmer from Scott City, Kansas, and said the Senate legislation includes two longstanding NSP priorities: Nationwide, year-round access to E15 and the permanent transfer of the Food for Peace program to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

“Year-round E15 represents a real opportunity to grow demand for sorghum and strengthen the farm economy,” France said. 

The bill also includes Sen. Jerry Moran’s provision permanently placing Food for Peace at USDA. The change would strengthen the connection between American farmers and international food assistance while reinforcing the use of U.S.-grown commodities to help feed people in need around the world. 

“Food for Peace demonstrates the reach and value of American agriculture,” France said.  

NSP urged Senate leaders to bring the legislation to the floor and called on lawmakers in both parties to work together toward final passage. 

“Today’s progress matters, but the work is not finished,” France said. “Sorghum producers need Congress to come together and deliver a farm bill that provides certainty, strengthens markets and supports the future of American agriculture.” 

Pork 

NPPC appreciates movement of Senate farm bill and said in a news release, Congress is one step closer to the clarity and certainty a five-year farm bill reauthorization would bring.  

With various hurdles cleared, it is now time for leaders in D.C. to hear the persistent, urgent plea of America’s 60,000-plus pork producers to finally stop the threat of a state-by-state patchwork of farm animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12. 

“America’s pork producers deserve a robust farm bill, which should come with protection from being forced to rebuild our barns every time another state decides it knows what is best for animal welfare,” Rob Brenneman, NPPC president and pork producer from Washington County, Iowa said. 

Not only does Prop. 12 makes sustaining their businesses onerous for pork producers, but also, it hinders the critical input and expertise of swine veterinarians.  

“Science gives us the flexibility to learn and improve. Laws, however, change slowly and often lock today’s understanding into tomorrow’s production systems. If every state establishes its own production requirements, adapting new scientific knowledge becomes increasingly difficult. Veterinary medicine advances by questioning assumptions, evaluating new evidence, and continuously improving,” DVMs Bill Hollis and Aaron Lower shared. 

As farm bill negotiations continue in conference, NPPC encourages the Agriculture Committee chairmen and ranking members to produce a bipartisan farm bill that focuses on keeping pig farming in the U.S. affordable, checks the overreach of interstate commerce California has enjoyed, and bottom line, offers the best care for animals. That bill must include a solution to the state patchwork problem of Prop. 12. 

Dairy 

National Milk Producers Federation President and CEO Gregg Doud, applauded the advancement of the farm bill. 

“We applaud Chairman Boozman and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee for advancing the 2026 Senate farm bill, which includes key provisions that support and strengthen the dairy industry,” he said. “With a farm bill already through the House, we’re hopeful that both chambers can now work together on full congressional passage in 2026 that gives dairy farmers the certainty they deserve.” 

The NMPF, based in Arlington, Virginia, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. 

Farm Bureau 

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall applauded the Senate ag committee’s vote that will help farmers and ranchers.  

“It’s been almost a decade since Congress last passed a farm bill. In the past 10 years, more than 200,000 family farms have gone out of business, as farmers grappled with a pandemic, global unrest, rising expenses and falling prices paid for the food they grow,” he said. “A new, modernized farm bill will help give farmers the tools they need to survive continued and unforeseen challenges ahead.” 

Farmers Union 

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew said in a statement after the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture Act of 2026 out of committee that this advancement is an important one. 

“There are real wins for family farmers and ranchers in this farm bill, and we appreciate the Senate Agriculture Committee for moving it forward with these needed updates. Country-of-origin labeling is a major win for farmers and consumers alike, and nationwide, year-round E15 will open new markets for family farmers. 

Larew said it’s not time to stop though. 

“But we need to hold two truths at once: this farm bill delivers some real improvements, and it will not stop the crisis farmers and ranchers are living through right now. Family farmers are caught between rising input costs, concentrated corporate power, and a farm safety net that no longer reflects the realities of farming today. American families are struggling with high prices and lack of robust nutrition programs. Incremental fixes won’t reverse that. We need bigger, bolder reform of farm policy. Without it, farms will keep going out of business, and rural communities and American families will pay the price.” 

Larew said as this farm bill moves forward, NFU will keep working with Congress to think beyond this bill and build farm and food policy that works for all American families. 

NASDA 

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture applauded the advancement of the Agricultural Act of 2026 as CEO Ted McKinney congratulated those leading the charge. 

“NASDA members remain united on the same goal: We must enact a bipartisan farm bill to strengthen American agriculture and support production of food, fiber and fuel for all,” McKinney said in a news release. 

The farm economy continues to experience instability, including rising input costs, weather-related losses, and trade challenges. This legislation provides vital support to farmers, ranchers and consumers and provides economic growth for rural communities, and NASDA remains committed to continued collaboration with the U.S. Senate to bring the legislation across the finish line.” 

Growth Energy 

Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, applauded the vote to advance legislation that will permanently allow the year-round, nationwide sale of E15—which is part of the larger farm bill, now moves to the full Senate. 

“Consumers deserve lower-cost fuel options, and farmers deserve reliable markets,” Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor said in a news release. “Year-round E15 delivers on both fronts, and we’re grateful to our bipartisan Senate champions for making E15 an urgent priority.” 

Growth Energy said now is the time for Congress to prioritize U.S. drivers.  

“We look forward to working with leaders in both the House and Senate to finally put commonsense, bipartisan legislation on the President’s desk,” Skor said. 

According to Growth Energy, with this provision, drivers would have access to E15’s significant savings all year long. E15 has already been approved for use in all cars made in 2001 and newer—representing more than 96% of all vehicles on the road today—and is currently available at more than 5,100 gas stations in 35 states. It has remained on the market each summer since 2019, thanks to a series of regulatory and short-term measures, but only a permanent fix will offer the certainty needed to quickly expand consumer access. Legislation allowing year-round E15 already passed the House this May.  

Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].