It’s Time for the Senate to Advance the Farm Bill

When senators return to Washington next week, they’ll have an opportunity to make meaningful progress on one of agriculture’s top priorities. With the Senate Agriculture Committee’s farm bill discussion draft now released, it’s time to build on that momentum and move a new farm bill forward.

For years, farmers and ranchers across the country have urged Congress to deliver a new, modernized farm bill that reflects today’s agricultural economy. The House has already done its work by passing a bipartisan farm bill. Now the Senate has taken an important step forward as well. Farmers appreciate Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman’s work to move this process forward.

It’s been nearly a decade since Congress last passed a farm bill, making a new one long overdue. While farmers continue producing the food, fiber and fuel American families depend on, they are working with higher costs, tighter margins and greater uncertainty than anyone envisioned when the current farm bill became law in 2018. That's why we are encouraged to see the Senate proposal address many of agriculture's most pressing needs. The bill includes improved access to credit, expanded investments in specialty crops, increased transparency in fertilizer markets, and enhanced research and conservation programs.

The Farm Economy Can’t Wait

Congress has an opportunity to act at a time when farmers need it most. Farm families are facing the worst economic environment we’ve seen in a generation. Expenses are rising while commodity prices continue to fall. Across agriculture, margins have tightened to the point where many farms are struggling to break even. USDA projects farm income this year to be roughly $48 billion below the highs we saw in 2022. Meanwhile, production costs are expected to reach record-high levels in 2027. Every day without a new, modernized farm bill leaves farmers making long-term decisions under policies that no longer reflect reality on the farm. Farm families need certainty so they can plan for the future, secure financing and continue investing in their farms.

Food security is national security. A strong farm bill helps ensure America continues producing a safe, nutritious food supply while strengthening rural communities and supporting the families who make that possible.

The Farm Economy Needs Action

While the Senate Agriculture Committee’s proposal represents meaningful progress, there is still more work ahead. Farm Bureau will continue working with lawmakers to address several priorities that were not included in the current farm bill discussion draft. Farmers need economic assistance to help weather the current downturn in the farm economy. We also need a solution that protects interstate commerce from a patchwork of conflicting state laws. Congress should also finally approve year-round sales of E15 to create new market opportunities for farmers while expanding access to affordable fuel for consumers. Farmers also appreciate the recent White House supplemental request that calls on Congress to deliver market relief and year-round E15 to support the farm economy.

None of these priorities should have to wait. We urge the Senate to quickly pass a bipartisan farm bill. And with that same urgency, Congress must work together to address the remaining priorities farmers are counting on.

Farmers and ranchers have waited long enough. It’s time to finish the job and deliver the certainty America’s farm families need.