The American Soybean Association (ASA) has expressed support for the Senate Agriculture Committee’s progress in finalising the Agricultural Act of 2026 ahead of an upcoming legislative markup. 

Welcoming the draft proposal released by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, the advocacy organisation urged Congress to pass a comprehensive, five-year farm bill before the end of the year to provide economic certainty for domestic producers.

Speaking on the draft legislation, ASA President and Ohio farmer Scott Metzger emphasised that U.S. soybean producers urgently require the long-term policy clarity that a five-year statutory framework provides. 

Metzger commended Chairman Boozman’s draft for strengthening the agricultural safety net, boosting conservation technical assistance, expanding rural broadband infrastructure, and making targeted investments in precision agriculture and fertiliser research. 

The ASA expressed hope that the Senate Agriculture Committee will successfully advance the bill before the congressional August recess.

The Agricultural Act of 2026 incorporates broader market development and regulatory priorities supported by soybean growers. 

The bill reauthorises international food assistance initiatives and establishes provisions to scale innovative commercial applications for soy. 

Crucially for renewable fuel producers, the draft authorises a permanent waiver allowing year-round nationwide sales of E15 fuel blends. Additionally, the legislation addresses multi-stakeholder priorities by granting a one-year delay on state cost-sharing rules within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Source: American Soybean Association
Image Credit: Grain Journal