Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

Congress has not passed a traditional five-year farm bill since 2018. America’s farmers, fishers and foresters have continued to be helped by short-term extensions and other ad-hoc support. While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) updated and authorized certain components of the farm bill, there are still significant programs that require action.

Harvest season is upon us, and that means it’s almost election day. On Tuesday, November 3, voters will head to the polls in what is shaping up to be a very interesting and impactful election. Both the Senate and House of Representatives are operating with razor thin majorities. Even a few overturned seats could alter the political landscape in Washington, D.C., and impact how policy is (or isn’t) passed.

Finding and retaining workers remains one of the biggest challenges facing agriculture today. The H-2A program was created to provide a legal guestworker program to help agricultural employers address labor shortages. While participation has increased in recent decades, the program has struggled to keep pace with the needs of today’s operations. New federal legislation aims to modernize the H-2A program to better meet employers’ needs. 

After nearly three years of short-term extensions, Congress is once again debating and drafting comprehensive farm legislation. In May, the House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567), while in late June Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (AR) released the Agricultural Act of 2026, a “discussion draft” providing the Senate a starting point for negotiation with other committee members.