Ag Industry Trends & Outlooks

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. 

A new USCIS policy is opening the door for dairy producers to access the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, a workforce option that has long been out of reach for year-round dairy operations. This month’s Knowledge Exchange Partner discusses how the updated guidance could help dairies address labor shortages, support seasonal workforce planning and navigate new petition requirements moving forward. Republished with permission courtesy of Harris Beach Murtha Attorneys at Law.

The Agricultural Resiliency Against Tariffs Program was recently appropriated $30 million to provide payments directly to agricultural producers. These payments range from $1,000 to $25,000 per entity. Timing is of the essence as there is an application process that has been extended, but only through August 18.

Effective with the 2026 crop year, USDA has updated payment limitations and eligibility rules. This change modernizes how benefits are calculated and who qualifies, providing more flexibility for today’s farm operations.