Here’s What Ag Groups Are Saying About the Senate’s Ag Budget Bill Text

On June 11, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released text for its proposed budget reconciliation package. John Boozman (R-AR) is the committee chairman. 

“Our farmers and ranchers are facing real challenges, which have been unaddressed for too long,” said Boozman in a statement alongside the release of the text. “This legislation delivers the risk management tools and updated farm bill safety net they need to keep producing the safest, most abundant and affordable food, fuel, and fiber in the world. It’s an investment in rural America and the future of agriculture.” 

Boozman also said the bill takes a “commonsense approach” to reforming the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Several national agricultural groups have vocalized their opinions of the text. Most have commended the Senate committee, but not all. Here’s a closer look at the reactions. 

American Soybean Association

The American Soybean Association (ASA) represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and nearly 500,000 soybean farmers.

In a statement of appreciation on June 12, ASA said it “appreciates Chairman John Boozman’s efforts to include farm bill programs within the legislation that are key for ASA.”

According to the statement, the budget reconciliation package marked up by the Senate Ag Committee contains provisions ASA advocated for during farm bill negotiations last Congress.

“At a time of great uncertainty for the agriculture economy, ASA appreciates the committee’s continued efforts to support the needs of farmers,” Kentucky soybean grower and ASA President Caleb Ragland said. “While we continue to urge Congress to work toward passing a much-needed five-year farm bill this year, we are pleased to see the continued support from Congress.”

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) “has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy. As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef.”

In a statement of support on June 11, NCBA “announced support for the cattle health measures in the legislation, which help protect the livelihoods of family farmers and ranchers.”

“A successful farm or ranch starts with healthy cattle, and as cattle producers face increasing risk of a foreign animal disease outbreak, the need for robust cattle health provisions is even more crucial,” said NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Tanner Beymer. 

“Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman knows how important this issue is, and NCBA thanks him for working to protect farmers and ranchers from devastating foreign animal diseases. We urge the Senate to quickly pass these provisions so they can become law,” Beymer added. 

According to NCBA, the Senate legislation advances policy passed in the House version, including support for the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank.

National Corn Growers Association

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is a farmer-led trade organization that represents the interests of more than 300,000 farmers.

“We are pleased to see that Chairman Boozman retained increased investment in agricultural trade promotion programs and made additional improvements to the commodity programs, including removing the proposed corn price floor for the Price Loss Coverage program,” said NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr. in a press release on June 12. 

“Though several crucial steps remain in the Senate’s process for completing budget reconciliation, and this is not the process that we would have chosen, we want to recognize the Senate Agriculture Committee leadership for its response to corn growers’ concerns,” Hartman Jr. said. 

According to NCGA’s press release, “The legislation includes funding for several programs traditionally included in the Farm Bill. While the Senate takes steps forward, Hartman noted there is still room for improvement, particularly when it comes to updating existing base acres, which determines eligibility for farm programs.”

National Cotton Council

The mission of the National Cotton Council (NCC) of America is to “ensure the ability of all U.S. cotton industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed, and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad.”

In a statement of support on June 12, NCC said it “applauds the legislative text.” 

“This proposal is a crucial step towards ensuring fiscal responsibility and making vital investments in rural America and our farm families,” said NCC Chairman Patrick Johnson, a producer from Tunica, Mississippi. “By making significant improvements in the safety net, this legislation supports the ongoing production of safe, affordable, and plentiful food, fuel, and fiber, which are fundamental to our nation’s economy and the health of our communities.

“Looking ahead, our industry is committed to working closely with the House and Senate leadership to secure the bill’s final approval. For our producers, the stakes are high — it’s not just about financial losses this year, but the risk of losing their entire farms,” Johnson added.

National Milk Producers Federation

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) “develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies.”

NMPF issued a statement of commendation of the Senate Ag Committee for “including important resources in their budget reconciliation proposal that would boost rural economies and support unmet needs.” 

“Dairy farmers are grateful to Chairman John Boozman and his committee for putting forward legislation that will create several key opportunities for dairy,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “Following last month’s successful vote in the House, we are excited that this legislation positions these investments strongly in the Senate to benefit dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own.”

According to the NMPF statement, the proposal would “fund the Dairy Margin Coverage program through 2031, provide resources for mandatory USDA dairy manufacturing cost surveys every two years, and offer long-term support for critical trade promotion, conservation, research, and animal health programs.”

National Pork Producers Council

National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is the global voice for the U.S. pork industry and works to protect the livelihoods of more than 60,000 pork producers.

NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, released a statement of gratitude for the inclusion of NPPC’s animal health priorities in the reconciliation package.

“America’s 60,000+ pork producers thank Chairman Boozman for fighting to include vital animal health legislation in the reconciliation legislation,” Stateler said. “During these times of wild uncertainty, we strongly urge the Senate to keep these provisions in the final bill.”

According to the statement, “the bill preserves necessary resources to protect the nation’s food supply through foreign animal disease prevention, including the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, and the National Veterinary Stockpile.”

NPPC ended its statement with the following: “NPPC will continue to keep pressure on Congress to pass a five-year farm bill, which includes a fix to California Proposition 12.”

National Sorghum Producers

National Sorghum Producers (NSP) works to create legislative and regulatory change for a more profitable, diverse, and competitive sorghum industry.

NSP issued a statement of appreciation on June 12 for the “inclusion of key farm safety net provisions in its reconciliation package.” 

“Sorghum producers rely on practical, effective policy to remain competitive in an increasingly volatile global market,” said NSP Chair Amy France, a farmer from Scott City, Kansas. “The Senate’s proposal, much like the House version, makes significant steps in the right direction by extending key risk management tools, increasing reference prices, and continuing vital investments in conservation initiatives and biofuel programs.”

The statement continued: “NSP applauds Chairman John Boozman’s inclusion of key provisions, including the extension and enhancement of PLC and ARC through 2031. The package also improves ARC’s payment calculations, enhances access and affordability for crop insurance, and increases funding for trade promotion and agricultural research — all crucial priorities for U.S. sorghum producers.” 

“These updates are not just welcome, they’re necessary,” France said. “Producers are facing tight margins and ongoing uncertainty. Improving farm safety net tools while committing resources to expanding export markets gives farmers the stability needed to encourage continued investment in their operations and rural communities.”

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.

In a critical statement released June 12, NSAC Policy Director Mike Lavender issued this response: 

“The story of the Senate reconciliation bill boils down to willful complicity in the death of a full farm bill. The bill delivers hundreds of billions in cuts that will deepen hunger and threaten farmer livelihoods in order to dramatically increase the federal deficit through tax cuts and subsidies available to a select few. A vote for this bill is not a vote for farmers – it’s a vote to abandon them.” 

Lavender continued: “The Senate bill — which mimics the House version with only minor exceptions — excludes hundreds of programs that support farmers and the communities they call home. Farmers and their communities are not a monolith, and the Senate’s exclusion of farm loans, rural development, new market opportunities, research, and more makes painfully clear a fundamental misunderstanding of rural communities.” 

USA Rice Federation

USA Rice Federation (USA Rice) is the global advocate for all segments of the U.S. rice industry with a mission to ensure the health and vitality of a unified U.S. rice industry by advocating on behalf of farmers, millers, merchants, and allied businesses.

“USA Rice applauds Chairman Boozman and his team for their hard work and for including many of USA Rice’s Farm Bill priorities in its budget proposal,” said USA Rice Farmers Chair LG Raun, a Texas rice farmer in a statement of support on June 12.

“We are pleased to see the Senate process continuing and retaining these core provisions passed by the House of Representatives last month, and look forward to continuing to work with our champions on Capitol Hill to ensure these provisions are included in the final version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It is imperative that these farm safety net provisions are retained and signed into law by the president,” Raun said.

Editor’s note: Some of the previous statements have been edited and/or condensed by Successful Farming for style and clarity.