Ag groups weigh in on House farm bill: Prop 12 wins, E15 misses

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed a new farm bill April 30 after the agriculture industry has operated for the past eight years under the previous legislation that included three extensions.

The $390 billion Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026 passed by a 224-200 margin and moves on to the U.S. Senate for its consideration. The bill has to pass the Senate, which has not yet introduced its version.

“This farm bill was not written in the halls of Congress, but in the fields and rural communities across our great nation,” said House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican.

“Every provision is a direct reflection of what we learned during each of the more than 150 listening sessions the agriculture committee held.

“It is clearer every day that farm country needs updated policy that reflects current challenges, and the 2026 farm bill fills that gap. I look forward to seeing Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman and the Senate make progress on this important legislation so we can get the bill sent to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible.”

Included in the House farm bill version are:

• Enhancements to standing disaster programs, expanded eligibility and a framework to deliver future assistance to specialty crops.

• Reauthorizes key farm bill programs across conservation, rural development, research, trade, energy and specialty crops.

• Expands market access for U.S. agriculture by strengthening export promotion programs and reducing trade barriers.

• Improves access to credit for farmers and ranchers while supporting young and beginning producers.

• Invests in rural communities through stronger broadband, rural health care access, water infrastructure and workforce development.

• Promotes precision agriculture, research and innovation.

• Supports voluntary, locally-led conservation programs that protect working lands without adding unnecessary regulations.

The legislation did not include a provision allowing E15 for year-round use. A separate vote on that is expected in mid-May.

Here are the reactions to the legislation and further details.

Pork

The National Pork Producers Council said the bill provides “much-needed relief from the misguided California Proposition 12 that established minimum space requirements for calves raised for veal, breeding pigs and egg-laying hens to be eligible for shipment to that state.”

“The House farm bill passage is a testament to the power of rural America when we stand up for our farms and future generations with a unified voice,” said Rob Brenneman, NPPC president and pork producer from Washington County in southeastern Iowa.

In addition to a Prop 12 provision, the 2026 farm bill also accomplished all additional pork producer priorities, including:

• Funding and converting the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program into a full program.

• Increasing funding for agricultural trade promotion programs, including the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, E. Kika de la Garza Emerging Markets Program, Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops and Priority Trade Fund.

• Requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to report how changes to or expiration of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will affect agriculture.

• Establishing the Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force to better identify and overcome trade barriers.

Soybeans

The bill contains conservation program funding, the Plant Biostimulant Act, increased access to credit programs, funding for precision agriculture and reauthorization of the BioPreferred bio-based markets program and biorefinery assistance program.

Illinois Soybean Growers continues to review the legislation as it moves to the Senate and appreciates the inclusion of provisions addressing Prop 12-related concerns, addressing the interstate commerce issues posed by Prop 12 and similar state-level standards.

At the same time, the organization is concerned about the adoption of an amendment striking the Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act, which could create regulatory uncertainty and potentially limit farmers’ access to essential crop protection tools.

“While this bill delivers important support, there is still much work to be done to ease the economic pressures farmers have continued to bear. As this legislative effort continues, it is vital that Congress prioritizes protecting and modernizing crop insurance, ensuring coverage levels keep up with rising input costs while remaining affordable for farmers,” said ISG Chairman Bryan Severs, of Potomac in eastern Illinois.

Corn

“USDA programs are important to the success of corn farmers and rural communities, particularly as our growers face their fourth year of net losses and struggle with high input costs,” said National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower, of Washington Court House in southwestern Ohio.

“Speaker Johnson promised a vote on E15, and we refuse to allow a handful of multimillion- and multibillion-dollar energy companies to derail our efforts. Allowing the year-round sale of E15 would help our growers by expanding ethanol sales while also saving consumers money at the pump at a time when fuel prices are on the rise.”

Beef

“Instead of caving to attacks on the livestock industry from shell activist groups that impersonate real producers, a bipartisan group of lawmakers advanced a bill that will provide certainty and important policy fixes for cattle country.” said Ethan Lane, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association senior vice president.

Wheat

“This bill reflects many of wheat farmers’ top priorities from modernizing farm credit and safeguarding international food aid programs to enhancing export competitiveness. These provisions will help ensure America’s wheat farmers can remain resilient and globally competitive,” said Jamie Kress, National Association of Wheat Growers president.

Farm Bureau

“Illinois Farm Bureau applauds the House for passing the 2026 farm bill and building upon previous actions to strengthen the farm safety net,” said IFB President Philip Nelson.

“Farmers are long overdue for a modernized five-year farm bill after operating under multiple extensions since 2023. We urge the Senate for swift passage of this critical piece of legislation, which puts Illinois farmers closer to obtaining certainty while continuing to face a challenging farm economy.”

Farmers Union

“We appreciate Chairman Thompson’s work to advance this piece of legislation,” said National Farmers Union President Rob Larew.

“However, the bill largely continues existing farm safety net programs that do not match the scale of the current economic crisis family farmers are facing. It also maintains cuts to the nutrition safety net at a time when too many American families are struggling to make ends meet.

“Other missed opportunities include authorizing year-round E15, restoring mandatory country-of-origin labeling, addressing rising input costs, protecting farmers and ranchers from the threat of market concentration and expanding domestic market opportunities for U.S. producers.

“Farm bill policy must evolve to meet the realities of today’s economy, and while this bill provides some needed certainty, it does not fully address what is at stake.”