The National Farmers Union is urging lawmakers to reinforce the farm safety net as Congress advances the next farm bill. NFU President Rob Larew said recent proposals still leave significant gaps for producers, particularly given volatile markets and rising costs.
Larew said that while the One Big Beautiful Bill Act updates several farm programs, it does not fully address producer risks. According to Larew, recent commodity price upticks, with uneven movement, could keep Ag Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage from triggering in some situations, even as producers face expenses the current framework does not capture.
He added that the farm safety net does not adequately reflect higher diesel prices and other input costs that continue to pressure farm margins.
NFU has asked Congress to modernize core commodity programs, reduce dependence on ad hoc assistance, curb unfair competition, and consider voluntary supply management through an Inventory Management Soil Enhancement Tool.
Larew said the union will keep pressing for improvements as the bill progresses, though debates over the farm safety net may carry into the next Congress. He cautioned that if gaps persist after passage, producers should not have to wait another five years for adjustments.
The next step, Larew said, is bringing the farm bill to the Senate floor. The timing for that action remains uncertain.
The National Farmers Union, one of the oldest farm organizations in the country, continues to work with lawmakers and staff on both sides of the aisle. The group has been active in the broader farm policy conversation alongside agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Farm safety net priorities
- Modernize ARC and PLC so support better reflects production costs and market realities.
- Limit reliance on ad hoc programs by strengthening permanent tools.
- Address competition concerns that can disadvantage producers.
- Evaluate voluntary inventory management options, including the proposed soil enhancement tool.
As Congress weighs changes to commodity programs, producers are also watching how specific crops will fare in the next several seasons. In states like Minnesota, where weather and disease already shape yields, concerns about coverage echo those seen in reports on the Minnesota soybean harvest.
Lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations with input from farm groups, commodity organizations, and policy experts. Information from the U.S. Congress will help clarify timelines as the farm bill moves toward floor consideration.