Farm Groups Rally Behind Senate Committee Approval of 2026 Farm Bill

Major agricultural organizations are welcoming the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s advancement of the Agricultural Act of 2026, calling the vote an important step toward delivering long-awaited certainty to farmers facing elevated production costs, market volatility, and mounting economic pressures.

The committee’s action moves a comprehensive five-year farm bill one step closer to full Senate consideration and has drawn support from groups representing corn, soybean, and wheat growers, as well as state agriculture departments across the country.

While the organizations praised committee leaders for advancing the legislation, they also delivered a unified message: Congress must maintain momentum and complete work on a final farm bill as quickly as possible.

Growers Seeking Economic Certainty

Agricultural groups have spent much of the past several years urging lawmakers to modernize farm policy and strengthen the farm safety net amid rising production expenses and uncertain market conditions.

“Advancing the farm bill out of committee moves Congress closer to providing the certainty and support farmers need,” said Scott Metzger, president of the American Soybean Association (ASA) and an Ohio soybean farmer. “ASA appreciates the work of committee members to move this critical legislation forward.”

ASA emphasized that bipartisan cooperation will remain essential as the legislation advances through Congress. The organization called on lawmakers to continue negotiations that can build the broad support necessary to move a final bill to the president’s desk.

That theme was echoed by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), whose members administer numerous farm bill programs at the state level.

“NASDA congratulates Chairman John Boozman and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee on advancing the farm bill,” said Ted McKinney, NASDA CEO. “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.”

Corn Growers Highlight E15 and Farm Economics

For corn growers, one of the most significant provisions in the Senate package is language that would allow year-round sales of E15, gasoline blended with 15% ethanol.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) identified expanded access to E15 as a major priority, noting its potential benefits for both agriculture and consumers.

“We are pleased that the farm bill passed in committee and is one step further in the legislative process,” said Jed Bower, NCGA president and Ohio farmer. “Corn growers are in Washington this week, reminding legislators that the true finish line is for the farm bill and year-round E15 to become law this year.”

According to Bower, broader E15 availability could strengthen rural economies while providing consumers with additional fuel options.

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

At the same time, Bower stressed the financial challenges facing growers across the countryside.

“There is still work to be done,” he said. “The 2026 corn crop is the most expensive crop we’ve ever planted, raised, and are now harvesting. The pressures on the ag economy only continue to mount.”

For ag retailers, those comments reflect concerns being heard from customers nationwide as higher input costs continue to affect farm profitability and purchasing decisions.

Wheat Industry Calls for Swift Senate Action

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) also praised the committee vote, highlighting provisions related to agricultural research, risk management programs, trade initiatives, agricultural credit access, and the permanent transfer of the Food for Peace program to USDA.

“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,” said Sam Kieffer, CEO of NAWG.

Kieffer said the legislation addresses several key challenges currently facing wheat producers but warned that committee approval alone is not enough.

“But committee action must not be the end of the road,” he said. “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 urged Senate leadership to move the legislation forward quickly, adding that “America’s wheat farmers need action now.”

Broad Industry Alignment

Although each commodity group focused on different policy priorities, the response to the committee vote revealed a high degree of alignment across the agricultural sector.

Corn growers are focused on ethanol market access and economic relief. Soybean farmers continue to emphasize certainty and predictability. Wheat producers are seeking stronger risk-management and trade tools. State agriculture leaders, meanwhile, are focused on ensuring programs can effectively support farmers, ranchers, consumers, and rural communities.

What connects those priorities is a growing concern about the current farm economy.

NASDA noted that producers continue to face rising input costs, weather-related losses, and trade challenges. Likewise, NCGA and NAWG pointed to increasing production expenses and economic uncertainty as key reasons Congress should move swiftly.

As the legislation heads toward potential Senate floor consideration and eventual negotiations with the House, agricultural groups say bipartisan cooperation will be essential to delivering a final package.

For now, farm organizations view the committee vote as a meaningful step forward after years of debate.

“The full Senate must build on today’s momentum, pass a comprehensive farm bill, and work with the House to deliver a final package to the President’s desk without further delay,” Kieffer said.

For growers, ag retailers, and the broader agricultural supply chain, the coming weeks may determine whether that momentum ultimately results in the first new five-year farm bill in years.