CropLife Retail Week: Farm Bill 2.0, Dicamba EPA labels and USMCA renewal

The 2026 growing season is officially shifting into high gear with plenty to watch going forward. In this episode, CropLife Editor Eric Sfiligoj and Amy Asmus, Co-Owner of Asmus Farm Supply, break down the Farm Bill 2.0 in DC, the return of dicamba with new EPA labels, and why the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) renewal is the biggest trade story to watch this July.

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*Below is a partial and edited transcript:

Eric Sfiligoj:
Hello again, and welcome to another edition of CropLife Retail Week. I’m Eric Sfiligoj, editor of CropLife and CropLife IRON, here with Amy Asmus from Asmus Farm Supply. Amy, how are you doing today?

Amy Asmus:
I’m doing great. It’s a good day. We didn’t get the five inches of snow they predicted, so overall, it’s a really good day.

Eric Sfiligoj:
That’s good to hear. Here in Ohio, it’s been in the 50s and 60s, and most of our snow has melted. The yards are muddy, though. My dog, who’s normally white, is now charcoal gray. That might just be the early spring look.

Amy Asmus:
We’ve been warm, too. There was a chance of snow last night, but it didn’t come, so we’re happy.

Eric Sfiligoj:
Fingers crossed that continues. Maybe Punxsutawney Phil was wrong and spring will arrive early.

For this episode of CropLife Retail Week, we’re focusing on things to watch. First up: the Farm Bill. There’s renewed talk in Washington, D.C., about a new or revised version. Some are encouraged by the progress; others say more needs to be done for growers and ag retailers. Amy, what are you hearing about the prospects for a Farm Bill in 2026?

Amy Asmus:
House Ag Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson released his version of the 2026 Farm Bill into the House last week. The House Agriculture Committee is scheduled to begin markup on the 23rd, and there’s talk they hope to move it out of committee by the 25th. That may be optimistic, but we’ll see.

If it clears committee, I’ve heard there will be floor time scheduled. In 2024, it struggled to get to the floor, so that’s encouraging. Meanwhile, the Senate is likely working on its own version. If the two chambers don’t agree, it will go to conference for reconciliation before heading to the president’s desk. The president has said he would support and sign it.

It still has a long way to go, but progress has started.

Eric, they’re calling this Farm Bill 2.0. Do you know why?

Eric Sfiligoj:
I have to admit, I don’t. I assume it means new or updated, but you tell me.

Amy Asmus:
When the “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed, it included much of the funding typically addressed in the Farm Bill. That extended funding for many key programs. Some committees are referring to that as Farm Bill 1.0 because it handled the funding.

Farm Bill 2.0 focuses more on policy changes, since much of the funding is already in place. So that’s the distinction. It’s definitely something to watch over the next couple of months.

Eric Sfiligoj:
Next week, I’ll be at the 2026 Commodity Classic in San Antonio. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is scheduled to speak, and I’d be surprised if she doesn’t address Farm Bill 2.0. I’ll try to capture some video to share in a future episode.

Let’s move to another big topic: USMCA. At the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association meeting in January, there was discussion about the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement coming up for renewal in July. Potash was specifically mentioned as something to watch. What are you hearing?

Amy Asmus:
The Senate Finance Committee recently held hearings on USMCA. From what I’ve heard, there’s bipartisan support for moving forward. However, recent trade tensions with Canada and Mexico may factor into the discussions. It will be interesting to see where consensus lands.

Eric Sfiligoj:
Daren Coppock of the Agricultural Retailers Association noted that if all three countries agree, USMCA could be renewed for 16 years. If not, it would shift to annual reviews. Farmers want certainty, and 16 years provides far more stability.

Amy Asmus:
Exactly. Certainty in trade agreements is critical for long-term market stability.

Eric Sfiligoj:
Another major development: dicamba. Last time you were on, you predicted EPA reauthorization was imminent — and you were right. The day our video aired, EPA reauthorized dicamba. What’s the latest?

Amy Asmus:
As of now, dicamba has a federal label. The only state-specific labels I’ve seen with additional restrictions are Illinois and Minnesota. That doesn’t mean others won’t follow. It’s critical for applicators to check both federal and state requirements.

I’ve also spoken with representatives from the three companies bringing product to market. All indicated they expect sufficient supply this season, with no major allocation issues. Cotton growers, in particular, are very enthusiastic.

Of course, this is changing daily, so stay tuned. But right now, availability looks solid nationwide.

Eric Sfiligoj:
I’ll be meeting with Bayer, Syngenta, and BASF at Commodity Classic and will ask about supply and availability. We’ll report back.

Amy Asmus:
My prediction is that bulk delivery will be more readily available than packaged product, simply due to logistics. But overall, supply should meet demand.

Eric Sfiligoj:
Looking ahead, we’ll both be attending the ARA Fly-In in Washington, D.C., in early March. We’ll be meeting with members of Congress and visiting EPA. Amy, what can attendees expect?

Amy Asmus:
Registration is strong — over 100 ARA member representatives are expected. More than 20 groups will conduct over 100 meetings on Capitol Hill. It’s always a productive event.

We’ll also host a joint reception with groups like TFI and CLA and several state associations. I’m excited about the growing coordination between federal and state policy efforts.

Eric Sfiligoj:
We’ll try to record some impressions from the Hill if time allows. There’s a lot of interest in what EPA may do next regarding weed resistance and crop protection tools.

Before we wrap up, Tech Hub LIVE returns to Des Moines in July. Registration is open. Amy, what are you expecting this year?

Amy Asmus:
Planning is still underway, but there’s discussion about creating more tailored content tracks — one for growers, one for tech companies, and one for retailers. That kind of targeted programming should make the event even more valuable.

Eric Sfiligoj:
Plenty of things to watch in the months ahead. Thanks again, Amy, for joining us. And thank you to our viewers for tuning in to CropLife Retail Week.