ASA appreciates Senate ag committee commitment to 5-year farm bill

Ahead of a legislative markup of the Agricultural Act of 2026, the American Soybean Association shared appreciation Aug. 1 for the Senate agriculture committee’s continued work in finalizing a comprehensive five-year farm bill that strengthens the farm economy.

The revised farm bill released by Chairman John Boozman includes key priorities for U.S. soybean farmers and makes important investments in the farm safety net, conservation, rural development, research, and market opportunities for soybean farmers.

“America’s soybean farmers need the certainty that only a five-year farm bill can provide,” said Scott Metzger, president of the ASA President and an Ohio farmer.

“Chairman Boozman’s proposal includes important improvements that strengthen the farm safety net and invest in the long-term success of U.S. agriculture,” Metzger added. “We urge Congress to get a five-year farm bill across the finish line this year.”

ASA said it is hopeful the Senate agriculture committee will advance the legislation before the August recess and urges Congress to enact a comprehensive five-year farm bill before the end of the year.

The Agricultural Act of 2026 includes several ASA-supported provisions, including legislation to:

• Advance plant biostimulants.

• Expand conservation technical assistance.

• Improve fertilizer research.

• Strengthen rural broadband deployment.

• Increase access to technical service providers.

• Support precision-agriculture technologies.

The bill pursues market-expansion opportunities by reauthorizing international food-assistance programs and improving programs that support innovative new uses for U.S. soy.

The Agricultural Act of 2026 also addresses complex issues important to farm-bill stakeholders more broadly, like authorizing a permanent waiver for the sale of year-round E15 and including a one-year delay in state cost-sharing requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.