News

Key takeaways from the newly released farm bill

An ag policy specialist says there’s a lot to unpack in the latest version of the new farm bill.

Brad Lubben with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says the draft includes provisions that could provide producers regulatory stability. “The goal of the farm bill, this process and introduction of this big bill is to give it some certainty and to put off the concerns that we simply live on year-to-year.”

On Friday, House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson released the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. The measure includes provisions that weren’t included in budget reconciliation.

He tells Brownfield the legislation would maintain the 27-million-acre cap for the Conservation Reserve Program. “That’s about where we are about now. We’re near the cap now. It’s not an expansion, but it’s at least a continued authorization for new enrollment as some of the existing acres expire.”

Lubben says the trade title provides the backbone for expanding market access. “Continued investment there and continued expansion of those efforts are as critical as the underlying negotiations on deals, tariffs and other barriers.  

But, he says, there will be some contention over the role of state regulations with Prop 12 and pesticide applications. “Is it a federal regulation requirement or are there potential state-by-state requirements that could stack on top of it?”

Lubben says nationwide, year-round E-15 was not included and it’s unclear if that policy has a path forward.

He says he’s unsure of the farm bill’s future because it has a long way to go before being signed into law. Markup is scheduled for early next week.

Brad Lubben: