March 06, 2026

House Ag Committee Advances Farm Bill

The House Agriculture Committee advanced a Republican-led farm bill 34-17 in a vote early on Thursday. While the markup was slowed by partisan fighting about the package, the legislation was approved with the backing of seven Democrats. Politico said that the bill is basically the same as legislation that House Ag Committee Chair Glen Thompson advanced out of the committee two years ago. House Ag Ranking Member Angie Craig said that despite “bipartisan improvements” during the amendment process, the package remains a disappointing farm bill that doesn’t meet the moment. “The bill includes sweeping updates to agriculture and nutrition policies that haven’t been formally reauthorized since the last farm bill passed in 2018,” Politico reported. Representative Eric Sorenson of Illinois attempted to amend the bill to include language enabling the year-round sale of E15, but the amendment did not pass. The bill still includes language that would eliminate California’s Proposition 12.

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Groups Applaud Passage of Farm Bill 2.0

U.S. agriculture groups applauded the House Ag Committee for bipartisan passage of the Farm Bill 2.0 out of the committee. The National Pork Producers Council applauded the legislation for including a fix for the problems caused by California’s Proposition 12, which it says undermines states’ rights. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said, “Farm Bureau appreciates the supportive members on both sides of the aisle who recognize that a bill is critical as farmers face headwinds not seen in a generation.” A Farm Credit Council statement said with rural America facing “intense economic pressure,” this bipartisan proposal is essential, offering updated credit provisions to increase credit availability for farmers and ranchers. “The legislation finally completes the Farm Bill cycle and gives producers the operational tools and program investments they need to succeed,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. 

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Ducks Unlimited Applauds the Farm Bill’s Conservation Title

The House Agriculture Committee passed its version of the Farm Bill, called the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, and it had bipartisan support. Ducks Unlimited has a long history of working with farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners across the country to enhance and restore millions of acres critical to waterfowl and other wildlife habitats. “Voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs included in the Farm Bill’s conservation title are essential to Ducks Unlimited’s work,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “These programs are the foundation for our partnerships with the agriculture community, and they allow landowners to be good stewards of the land and conserve habitat while keeping their land in production.” Putnam also said they appreciate the committee for advancing the legislation, and they look forward to supporting a bipartisan Farm Bill that benefits rural communities and wildlife habitat. 

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Commodity Classic Breaks Attendance Record in 2026

Over 12,000 farmers, exhibitors, industry stakeholders, and media gathered in San Antonio, Texas, in late February for the 2026 Commodity Classic, marking the second consecutive year of record-setting attendance. Over 5,100 farmers attended the event, accounting for almost 43 percent of the total attendance and representing a significant concentration of farm decision makers. “The enthusiasm and engagement we saw in San Antonio was incredible,” said Rob Shaffer, co-chair of the 2026 Commodity Classic. “Farmers are looking for practical insights, meaningful policy conversations, and real connections, and the Classic delivers on all three.” He also said seeing record attendance for another year reinforces just how valuable this event is to producers across the country. Commodity Classic has now achieved four consecutive years of attendance highs, including recent shows in Denver (2025), Houston (2024), and Orlando (2023). The 2027 Commodity Classic will be March 3–5 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Iowa Corn Growers Encourage Investigation into Fertilizer

For many years, the Iowa Corn Growers Association has been raising concerns about the pressure and crushing prices put on farmers by the fertilizer industry. Fertilizer prices continue to rise while commodity prices go in the other direction. ICGA said an investigation by the Department of Justice would be a step in the right direction, as more probing needs to be done. The Association thanked the Iowa Congressional delegation 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. Additionally, ICGA and the Texas Corn Producers Association sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi in early February requesting a status update on the report related to fertilizer pricing and industry consolidation. Bloomberg reported this week that the DOJ has begun an official investigation into the U.S. fertilizer industry to explore whether several of the country’s largest fertilizer producers conspired to raise prices on American farmers. 

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DMI President O’Brien to Retire

Barbara O’Brien, president and CEO of Dairy Management Inc. and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, announced she will retire at the end of her five-year term this fall. She was unanimously approved by the DMI Board of Directors as CEO on October 11, 2021, and has since led the organization through a period of strategic realignment, innovation, and measurable growth on behalf of America’s dairy farmers and importers. “As we looked ahead, we knew this was the right and responsible time to give the organization ample runway for a well-managed transition in leadership as the DMI board and search committee plan from a position of strength,” O’Brien said. Throughout her tenure, O’Brien has emphasized strategic clarity, collaboration across the dairy value chain, and delivering tangible results domestically and globally through integrated marketing, nutrition science, and innovation strategies. “Transitions like this are an important part of any organization,” O’Brien added. 

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