Friday March 06 Ag News - NeFB Endorses Smith - Bacon Priorities in Farm BIll - IA Corn on DOJ Investigation of Fertilizer - USMCA Review Launched - and more!

Nebraska Farm Bureau Endorses Rep. Adrian Smith for Re-election

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Political Action Committee (NEFB-PAC) has endorsed U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith for re-election to Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, recognizing his strong support of policy priorities critical to Nebraska farmers and ranchers. Nebraska Farm Bureau First Vice President Katie Olson, chair of NEFB-PAC, said the endorsement reflects Smith’s work advancing issues important to agriculture.

“Serving in a leadership position on the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Smith has given Nebraska’s farm and ranch families an influential voice in tax, trade, and health care issues, all important to our members,” said Olson.

As Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, Smith tirelessly supports efforts to expand agriculture trade and has worked to find new markets for Nebraska agricultural products. He publicly pushed back on Mexico’s attempt to ban genetically modified white corn from being imported into their country in violation of the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“Congressman Smith not only understands the importance of trade but has taken an active role in advancing trade agreements which have benefited farmers, ranchers, and businesses across our great nation. It is good to know Congressman Smith is there to ensure agriculture is included in existing and future trade deals,” Olson said.

Olson says Smith also received the designation based on his ongoing efforts to secure year-round E-15 usage, as well as his support for the One Big Beautiful Bill which, extended the lower tax rates included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, a key Farm Bureau priority, and included Farm Bill reforms  with important updates to the farm safety net.

“Nebraska’s farm and ranch families are already very well served by Congressman Smith given his expertise on trade and tax policy as well as his push to limit their regulatory burdens. It is for all of these reasons and more that we are proud to again endorse Nebraska’s 3rd District Congressman Adrian Smith,” Olson said. 

Rep. Smith earned the NEFB-PAC endorsement based on results of NEFB’s grassroots selection process, which involves gathering input from local county Farm Bureaus across the state.



Bacon Secures Six Priorities Included in Farm Bill Advancing Out of Committee

Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) voted today to advance H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, out of the House Committee on Agriculture. The bill passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 34-17 and includes all six of Rep. Bacon’s key farm bill priorities.

The six initiatives championed by Rep. Bacon strengthen agricultural security, modernize federal programs, support beginning farmers, invest in youth leadership, and improve oversight of foreign farmland purchases.

“Passing a full five-year farm bill is about certainty for farmers, ranchers, and families. Nebraska producers need stability heading into planting season and American families need stability at the grocery store. This bill provides regulatory certainty, strengthens our crop safety net, modernizes farm loan programs, and invests in the research and innovation that keep American agriculture competitive,” said Rep. Bacon. “I am pleased that all six of our legislative priorities were included in this bill. We are strengthening oversight of foreign purchases of American farmland, enhancing agricultural cybersecurity, helping beginning farmers compete for land, supporting FFA and 4-H students, and improving SNAP administration so benefits are delivered efficiently and responsibly. Agriculture is economic security and national security, and this legislation equips producers with the tools they need to succeed.”

Rep. Bacon’s priorities included in the Farm Bill:
    H.R. 4362 - AFIDA Improvements Act of 2025: Codifies recommendations published by the GAO to amend the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) to ensure there is timely and detailed data sharing of foreign investments in agricultural land transactions, better oversight and validation of information, and better identifies those foreign entities who do not file notification they have purchased land in the United States. This legislation will help the United States better track and combat the CCP’s efforts to buy up farmland.
    H.R. 4156 - Support for Ownership and Investment in Land Act: Modernizes the farm loan process for America's next generation of agricultural leaders. The legislation allows the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to create a farm loan pre-approval process to allow farmers to make better decisions and not miss opportunities to expand their business operations, which will be especially useful for beginning farmers.
    H.R. 4155 - American Agricultural Security Research Act of 2025: Establishes Centers of Excellence at higher education institutions and creates a competitive USDA grant program to strengthen our agricultural cybersecurity infrastructure.
    H.R. 2812 - Youth Lead Act: Allows the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants to support the operations of Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, and the Scouts. These are preeminent youth leadership organizations in the United States with approximately eight million youth taking part. Participation in these organizations helps children make lifelong friendships and learn leadership and life skills.
    H.R. 2811 - SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2025: Gives states the option to hire outside contractors to help process applications during high-demand periods. This contract is terminated once the backlog is cleared.
    H.R. 3946 - The FIGHT Act of 2025: The provision will outlaw in-person and online gambling on animal fighting. Animal fighting is a disgusting practice. The animals are often drugged to heighten their aggression and forced to keep fighting even after they’ve suffered grievous injuries such as broken bones, deep gashes, flesh tears, punctured lungs, and pierced eyes. Animal fighting is a form of organized crime, entangled with gangs and cartels, gambling, drug trafficking, illegal weapons dealing, public corruption, and various violent crimes including homicide, child abuse, and human trafficking. The provision will help to end these disgusting practices by ensuring that criminals cannot profit from individuals gambling on animal fighting.

The Farm Bill now advances to the floor of the House of Representatives.

 

Statement by Mark McHargue, President, Regarding Passage of Farm Bill in House Ag Committee

“Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB), and the thousands of farm and ranch families we represent, strongly endorse and support passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. Food security is an essential component of national security, and without a stable and reliable food supply, our nation is vulnerable to economic instability and geopolitical threats. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 recognizes these fundamental connections and makes needed investments in agricultural, conservation, and many other vital programs.

Importantly, the bill also addresses on-going interstate commerce issues which only serve to increase regulatory compliance and food prices and open the United States to substantial international trade compliance liabilities. Lastly, the bill also makes needed regulatory changes that will improve credit opportunities for Nebraska’s beginning farmers and ranchers. We thank Chairman Thompson for this leadership, Nebraska 2nd District Congressman Don Bacon for his work and support and urge all members to vote for passage of this important legislation." 



NCGA Expresses Appreciation for House Committee Action on Farm Bill

The House Committee on Agriculture today passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act by a vote of 34 to 17.  
 
In response to this development, Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower released the following statement: 
 
“We are pleased to see that the House Committee on Agriculture has advanced the 2026 Farm Bill, which builds upon the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s investments in agriculture and addresses additional programs and policies important to corn growers. Highlights for NCGA in the legislation include provisions in the credit, conservation, rural development, research and energy titles."

"We congratulate Chairman Thompson for his persistence in moving the Farm Bill an important step further and appreciate Ranking Member Craig for her leadership. We now urge the House and Senate to work in a bipartisan way to ensure a Farm Bill 2.0 is considered and passed in both chambers as soon as possible.”
 
 "We also recognize Rep. Budzinski for offering an amendment requiring a mandatory base acre update that would better reflect corn growers' priorities for commodity program eligibility. We acknowledge the efforts of Rep. Sorenson, who introduced an amendment that would allow for the year-round sale of E15. While these amendments were not ultimately adopted, NCGA will continue working with Congress as the legislative process continues.”  



NFU Statement on House Agriculture Committee Advancing Farm Bill 

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statement in response to the House Committee on Agriculture passing the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2026.

“We appreciate the effort of House Agriculture Committee members on both sides of the aisle to advance a farm bill, and we recognize the hard work that went into this markup. Bipartisan progress in today’s Congress is not insignificant, and we are grateful to the members who engaged seriously with the challenges facing family agriculture.

“That said, we remain concerned that this proposal does not yet meet the scale of the crisis facing family farmers and ranchers. The fundamental changes needed to fix what's broken in American agriculture — reining in corporate consolidation, building true safety nets, and investing in local communities — still need to be made.

“The path from committee to a final, signed farm bill is long. NFU will continue working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to strengthen this legislation. The challenges facing family farmers and ranchers are urgent, and the final farm bill must reflect that reality. They deserve one that delivers real fairness, resilience, and opportunity for their operations and their communities." 



House Agriculture Committee Advances Farm Bill 2.0

The House Agriculture Committee advanced the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) supports this legislation to finish the Farm Bill process and strengthen provisions that provide certainty to farmers and ranchers across the country.
 
“The provisions included in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act build upon the legislative successes in the Farm Bill title of the One Big Beautiful Bill for American cattle producers. This legislation finally completes the Farm Bill cycle and gives producers the operational tools and programmatic investments they need,” said NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “NCBA thanks Chairman Thompson and House Agriculture Committee members for passing this crucial legislation for rural America.” 



Farm Bureau Applauds Bipartisan Passage of Farm Bill in House Ag Committee

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tonight applauds the bipartisan passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 in the House Agriculture Committee.

“Farm Bureau appreciates the leadership of Chairman Thompson and applauds supportive members of the committee on both sides of the aisle for recognizing that a new farm bill is critical as farmers face headwinds not seen in a generation. The farm bill has a ripple effect across the country by supporting the farmers who grow the food that stocks every kitchen pantry in America.

“We urge House leaders to continue the momentum and bring this important legislation to a vote on the floor. Farmers understand there are many competing priorities in our country right now, but so much has changed since Congress last updated the farm bill in 2018. Agriculture has endured a pandemic, runaway inflation, rising interest rates, and historic supply chain and market disruptions. Costs for fuel, fertilizer, equipment, and labor have surged, and margins have narrowed. The pressure on farm families has intensified so much that we’ve lost more than 175,000 farms since 2017. That’s just heartbreaking.

“Farmers are also counting on the Senate Agriculture Committee to follow suit and schedule a farm bill markup soon. This is an opportunity for both chambers to work on a bipartisan basis to do the right thing – not only for farmers, but for every family that depends on them. We call on members of Congress to step up and say yes to a strong U.S.-grown food supply.”



NMPF Applauds House Agriculture Committee for Advancing Farm Bill with Dairy Wins

The National Milk Producers Federation thanked members of the House Agriculture Committee for advancing a farm bill in Congress, noting the bipartisan approval of a plan introduced by Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-PA, that contains provisions important to dairy farmers and their cooperatives. 

“We applaud Chairman Thompson and members of the House Agriculture Committee for advancing the 2026 House Farm Bill, which includes key provisions that support and strengthen the dairy industry,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “We stand ready to work with members of both the House and Senate on a bipartisan basis to pass a farm bill this year that will provide critical support for dairy farmers and their cooperatives.” 

Key dairy provisions that NMPF advocated for include: 
    Authorizing long-term dairy product processing cost surveys; 
    Extending the Dairy Forward Pricing Program, the Dairy Indemnity Program, and the Dairy Promotion and Research Program; 
    Supporting voluntary, producer-led conservation programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), with a continued designation of conservation funds for livestock producers and a directive for states to prioritize methane-reducing practices; 
    Establishing a long-term policy directive for the U.S. government to proactively negotiate protections for common cheese names like “parmesan” and “feta,” as championed by NMPF; 
    Moving Food for Peace program administration to USDA and continuing $200 million in annual funding for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods that incorporate milk powder to treat chronic malnutrition globally; 
    Reassigning export promotion funding initially passed last year into existing farm bill programs, including the Market Access Program; 
    Expanding economic opportunities for farmers to partner with local food distribution organizations to provide fresh, locally grown foods, including milk and other dairy products, to eligible community institutions; 
    Including full-fat fluid milk, hard cheeses, and yogurt in the Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program;  
    Expanding the REAP Program to include farmer-owned cooperatives with less than 2,500 employees;  
    Reauthorizing the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network; and 
    Continuing the ROPS Rebate Program under USDA, establishing cost-share grants for retrofitting agricultural tractors with rollover protection structures. 



Iowa Corn Growers Encourage DOJ Investigation into U.S. Fertilizer Industry and Pricing 

Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is conducting an investigation into the U.S. fertilizer industry to explore whether several of the country’s largest fertilizer producers colluded to raise prices on American farmers. For many years, the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has been raising concerns about the pressure and crushing prices put forth on farmers by the fertilizer industry. Fertilizer prices continue to rise while commodity prices continue to drop. An investigation by the DOJ would be a step in the right direction as more probing needs to be done on behalf of Iowa and U.S. corn farmers.  

ICGA thanks Senators Grassley and Ernst and Representatives Feenstra and Hinson for hearing corn farmers concerns by bringing forward the Fertilizer Research Act in the Senate and House to review the competition and transparency within the fertilizer industry. ICGA specifically requested this legislation and submitted written testimony to Senator Grassley’s Senate Judiciary Hearing in October that explored competition issues in the seed and fertilizer industries.  

Additionally, ICGA and the Texas Corn Producers Association, sent a letter to Attorney General Bondi in early February requesting a status update on the report related to fertilizer pricing and industry consolidation. 

Attention must be brought to better understand fertilizer pricing practices, tariffs and the consolidation of the market that significantly impacts corn farmers’ bottom line. ICGA will continue to work for fairness and transparency within the fertilizer industry that American farmers deserve.  



Nominate a Conservation Leader for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award. Families selected for this year’s honor will be recognized during a ceremony at the 2026 Iowa State Fair as part of Iowa’s America250 celebration, commemorating American independence and highlighting agriculture’s enduring role in our nation’s strength and prosperity.

The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award recognizes farm families who demonstrate outstanding voluntary efforts to improve and protect Iowa’s soil and water resources while also serving as leaders in their community. Each year, farm families from across the state are honored for leadership in implementing conservation practices such as cover crops, no-till and reduced tillage, nutrient management, grassed waterways, wetlands, saturated buffers, bioreactors and many other innovative water quality practices that filter the water and hold soil in place.

“Iowa farm families are dedicated to protecting our agricultural land through nation-leading conservation practices, and I am honored to recognize their efforts each year at the Iowa State Fair,” said Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. “Our farmers not only feed and fuel the world, but they do so while maintaining the health of our valuable cropland and waterways for generations to come. The Farm Environmental Leader Awards are a time to acknowledge their year-round commitment, and I look forward to meeting all of our honorees at this year’s ceremony.”

“As we celebrate America250 and the farmers’ role in sustaining our nation, we are proud to recognize farm families who are carrying forward a legacy that has made our state a leader in both agricultural production and conservation for generations,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “I encourage Iowans to nominate farmers in their communities who are helping us accelerate the adoption of proven conservation practices that filter water, strengthen soil health, and protect our natural resources. Clean water is non-negotiable, and protecting our natural resources requires a system-wide approach that delivers solutions from field to faucet. Let’s honor the farmers and farm families who are doing their part as leaders in environmental stewardship.”

"As we reflect on 250 years of American progress, we recognize that Iowa’s greatest strength has always been our land and the people who care for it," said Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon. "Focusing on environmental stewardship supports both our agricultural economy and our natural resources. We celebrate these farm families who are voluntarily putting in the work to ensure the lasting health of our land and water."

Award recipients will be announced during a ceremony on Aug. 19 at the Iowa State Fair. Families recognized this year will receive a special America250 seal on their certificate and have their photos taken in front of an America250 backdrop.

Nominations may be submitted by farmers, landowners, conservation professionals, commodity groups, or members of the public. The nomination form can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website. An appointed committee representing conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners.

The deadline to nominate a farmer or farm family is Monday, May 4.



USDA Dairy Products January 2026 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 1.28 billion pounds, 4.7 percent above January 2025 and 0.1 percent above December 2025. Italian type cheese production totaled 554 million pounds, 6.5 percent above January 2025 but 1.6 percent below December 2025. American type cheese production totaled 500 million pounds, 3.9 percent above January 2025 and slightly above December 2025. Butter production was 231 million pounds, 6.0 percent above January 2025 and 11.5 percent above December 2025.

Dry milk products (comparisons in percentage with January 2025)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 145 million pounds, down 6.4 percent.
Skim milk powder - 41.8 million pounds, up 21.2 percent.

Whey products (comparisons in percentage with January 2025)
Dry whey, total - 77.4 million pounds, up 7.5 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 94.9 million pounds, up 2.0 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 40.2 million pounds, up 4.3 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons in percentage with January 2025)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 57.7 million gallons, down 3.1 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 29.6 million gallons, up 1.1 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 1.62 million gallons, up 4.3 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 2.22 million gallons, down 41.9 percent.



The United States and Mexico Launch Review Process of the USMCA

U.S Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard Thursday announced the first round of bilateral discussions in preparation for the Joint Review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The ministers instructed negotiators to begin a scoping discussion on the necessary measures to ensure the benefits of the Agreement accrue primarily to the parties, including by reducing dependence on imports from outside the region, strengthening rules of origin, and enhancing the security of North American supply chains.

Ministers expect negotiators to hold the first meeting the week of March 16 and meet regularly thereafter as part of the Joint Review.



NCGA Applauds Launch of USMCA Discussions

Today, the U.S. Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, announced the first round of bilateral discussions with Mexico in preparation for the Joint Review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). In response to this development, Ohio farmer and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Jed Bower released the following statement:  

“Mexico and Canada aren’t just trading partners. They are the backbone of export demand for American corn growers. Mexico is the number one market for U.S. corn, and Canada is the top market for U.S. ethanol. As this review process moves forward, maintaining strong, reliable North American markets will be critical to keeping America’s corn growers competitive.”

“We appreciate the progress announced today and look forward to working with our partners across North America to ensure USMCA continues to deliver for farmers, rural communities, and the U.S. economy.”




Statement on Introduction of the "Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act"

Thursday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced the “Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act” that aims to deconsolidate the U.S. beef-packing industry, address foreign ownership of beef-packing facilities, and focus on eliminating unfair and unjustly discriminatory pricing practices in retail and wholesale meat markets.

R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard issued the following statement in response to the legislation.

“For decades, R-CALF USA has been rigorously fighting on behalf of cattle feeders and ranchers for free and fair competition in the cattle markets. We welcome Congress's recent effort to address the competition crisis plaguing our nation's cattle markets.

“Senator Schumer's legislation targets the same concentration problems that President Trump has also prioritized. President Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate the nation's largest beef packers for potential collusion, price-fixing, and price manipulation — and issued an executive order directing the DOJ and FTC to form task forces to determine whether beef prices are being distorted throughout the supply chain. Senator Schumer's bill similarly calls on the FTC to address concentration-driven distortions in retail beef prices.

“The administration and Congress are aligned: Both recognize the scope of the crisis facing the U.S. beef supply chain, which has seen the alarming contraction of the American cattle herd and a steady loss of the farmers who care for those animals.

“This bipartisan attention is exactly what is needed to spark a meaningful, nationwide debate on restoring competition in cattle and beef markets. R-CALF USA looks forward to working with both the administration and Congress to advance measures that ensure unrestricted market access, price transparency, price discovery and truly competitive prices for cattle producers and consumers alike.

“We will closely analyze Senator Schumer's bill, engage actively in the debate over its passage and potential improvements, and treat it as a serious proposal to address the broken market conditions that have harmed America's cattle producers for far too long.”



NCLA Asks Court to End USDA’s Illegal Rule Mandating Electronic ID Eartags for Cattle and Bison

The New Civil Liberties Alliance asked the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota for summary judgment today in R-CALF USA, et al. v. USDA. Representing ranchers, farmers, and livestock producers, NCLA urges the court to vacate an unlawful rule promulgated by USDA and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that requires electronic identification (EID) eartags for certain cattle and bison transported across state lines, in place of long-used visual tags. The court should end this unauthorized, expensive mandate that USDA instituted in 2024 to replace an already efficient means of cattle identification without explaining why the expensive change is needed nor how it will help reduce animal disease.

After previously agreeing that visual-only eartags were effective in tracing disease in cattle and bison and letting producers choose between visual-only and electronically readable options, USDA changed its mind with this 2024 rule. USDA now says EID tags and electronic records are significantly better for disease tracing, without giving any reasoning or data to support that claim. USDA has not done anything to address alleged problems it claims to have found with visual tag-based tracing. The current rule does not require producers to buy or use electronic eartag readers, so they use the EID tags to track cattle the same way they previously used the far less expensive visual-only tags. This means American ranchers are simply paying more to do what they have done for decades to effectively track and prevent livestock disease.

The unreasonable EID rule says EID eartags are necessary to reduce transcription errors in livestock tracking records due to “human error,” but it also permits EID eartags to be used the same way as visual-only tags. This sort of internal inconsistency is arbitrary and capricious. Having never reasonably justified the EID tag mandate in the first place, USDA also failed to consider the alternative of requiring readability standards for visual-only tags instead. Each of these problems violates the Administrative Procedure Act.

NCLA released the following statements:
— Kara Rollins, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA
“USDA’s EID eartag mandate is a costly solution in search of a nonexistent problem. America’s ranchers and farmers have long used visual-only identification for disease tracing, and this Rule does not change that option. It just makes that process much more expensive.”

— John Vecchione, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA
“The authority behind this regulation is ‘all hat and no cattle.’ The agency has no evidence it will stop, or even help slow, the spread of cattle disease that would support its enormous expense.”