Rounds Introduces RANCH Act to Help Rebuild America’s Cattle Herd

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today introduced the Rebuilding America’s National Cow Herd (RANCH) Act. This legislation would create a new voluntary grazing land restoration program that would open up to 20 million new acres for grazing. At full enrollment of 20 million acres, the program established by the RANCH Act would provide sufficient grazing land to support an estimated two to four million additional beef cows.

“Anyone who has spent time around cattle understands one simple truth: no grass means no cattle,” said Rounds...

Bipartisan Bill Would Tighten US Sourcing Rules for School Meal Programs

A bipartisan bill introduced in the US Senate would tighten domestic sourcing requirements for federally funded school meal programs, a move supporters say would expand market opportunities for US farmers, ranchers and food manufacturers while reducing schools' reliance on imported food.

Introduced July 31 by Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the American Food for American Schools Act would require school food authorities to obtain a waiver from the US Department of Agriculture before purchasing most foreign food products. The legislation would also...

Farmers Left Waiting After Senate Farm Bill Fails to Advance

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall today expressed deep disappointment in the failure of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to advance a farm bill. He called on senators to return to the negotiating table for the sake of rural communities across America.

“We are deeply disappointed that senators failed to advance a farm bill today,” said Duvall. “At a time when farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country are facing multiyear losses, the need for a strong, bipartisan farm bill, one that...

Pork Producers Disappointed Senate Farm Bill Fails to Pass–Ag’s Needs, Including Prop. 12 Fix Stand

The National Pork Producers Council’s President Rob Brenneman, a pork producer from Washington County, Iowa, issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s farm bill failed to move forward.

“When Congress passes a new farm bill, it must include the ask of America’s 60,000-plus pork producers to finally stop the threat of a state-by-state patchwork of farm animal housing laws spurred by California Proposition 12.

“America’s pork producers deserve a robust farm bill, which should come with protection from being forced to rebuild their barns every time another state decides it knows what is best for animal welfare over farmers...

Ranch Group Applauds Legislation to Reform Tariffs & Quotas Affecting US Cattle and Sheep Producers

Today [June 25, 2026], U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., introduced the Home Market Restoration Act of 2026, legislation that would establish tariff-rate quotas for import-sensitive agricultural products, including lamb, live cattle and beef, as well as shrimp, crawfish, catfish, rice, honey and goat meat.

The United States established very low tariffs on livestock and meat imports in the 1930s and has not adjusted them for inflation since that time. In addition, numerous countries now have tariff-free access to the United States through...

NRF Commends House Passage of Federal Retail Crime Bill

The following statement may be attributed to National Retail Federation Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French following the House passage of H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act.

“Organized retail crime is one of the most urgent challenges facing retailers large and small in the communities they serve. NRF has long advocated for federal legislation that strengthens coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to combat these criminal networks and better protect retail employees and customers nationwide.

“NRF is grateful to Representatives David Joyce, R‑Ohio; Susie Lee, D‑Nev.; Dina Titus, D-Nev.; and David G. Valadao...

Sen. Schiff Outlines Farm Bill Priorities for California

Today [May 7, 2026], U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released an outline of his priorities for the 2026 Farm Bill following the recent passage of a Farm Bill by the U.S. House of Representatives.  

As the first U.S. Senator from California to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in over 30 years, Senator Schiff is advocating for a Farm Bill and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that reflects economic opportunity, health, sustainability, national security, and prosperity. He is also reiterating his opposition to a...

Secretary Naig Thanks Iowa Senate for Unanimous Passage of Iowa Farm Act

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today thanked the Iowa Senate for its unanimous passage of the Iowa Farm Act, Senate File 2465, by a vote of 47-0.

“I appreciate members of the Iowa Senate for their support in advancing the Iowa Farm Act with a strong bi-partisan vote. Thank you to Sen. Annette Sweeney and Sen. Tom Shipley for managing the bill through the process, Sen. Dawn Driscoll for her leadership of the Agriculture Committee, and Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh for his work to...

FMI Condemns Federal Regulatory Action on State Swipe Fee Reform

Today [April 24, 2026], FMI – The Food Industry Association condemned in the strongest terms the action taken by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), banking regulators under the U.S. Treasury Department, to issue two interim final rules that override the Illinois swipe fee reform law and to prohibit other states from enacting swipe fee reform laws.  

FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin stated, “At a time when the largest banks and credit card networks are pulling in record profits on the backs of grocers, main street businesses and millions of American consumers through credit card swipe fees...

Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill Introduced to Add Hot Rotisserie Chicken in SNAP

Sens. Jim Justice (D-WV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act which would allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase hot rotisserie chicken with their benefits. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) introduced companion legislation in the House.

The bill does not increase funding or participant eligibility for SNAP or allow all hot foods to be included for purchase, only hot rotisserie chicken.

“The Hot Rotisserie Chicken...

Grassley, Smith Introduce Legislation to Study Impact of Concentration in Livestock Industry

Senate Agriculture Committee members Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced the Livestock Consolidation Research Act, bipartisan legislation to support research into the economic impact of livestock market consolidation on farmers, ranchers and consumers.

“Consolidation in the meat and poultry industry impacts Iowa producers and consumers alike, and right now, they’re feeling the squeeze. The current patchwork of available data...

Summer Waiver and Increased Urgency for Year-Round E15

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall called for EPA’s summer waiver to allow sales of fuels blended with 15% ethanol, or E15, to be made permanent amidst growing urgency and calls for the passage of legislation.

“Farm Bureau thanks Administrator Lee Zeldin and EPA for granting a waiver to allow E15 to be sold during the summer, but the time is now for Congress to make the availability of E15 permanent.

“Biofuels play an important role in meeting America’s energy needs and are a win-win for farmers and drivers...

OKFB Members Discuss MAHA, Legislative Outlook at Annual Leadership Conference

Oklahoma Farm Bureau members made the trek to Oklahoma City for the organization’s annual leadership conference on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

More than 150 members had the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and fellowship with other Farm Bureau members and state legislators during the one-day event as they honed their leadership skills and received updates on several top issues facing agriculture.

The conference kicked off with an update on the Make America Healthy Again initiative with Corteva’s Warren Mayberry and John Campbell of the Southern Crop Production...

Advancing US Leadership in Protein Innovation with the PROTEIN Act

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) has introduced the PROTEIN Act to bolster US leadership in protein innovation amid rising global meat demand expected to double by 2050. The act addresses the US's lag in investment compared to other nations and aims to diversify protein sources to strengthen food security, stimulate economic growth, and tackle climate challenges.

The PROTEIN Act will support US farmers and expand domestic capacity via research centers, grant programs, and workforce development initiatives.

California, leading with over 150 companies, holds substantial...