The Agriculture Act of 2026 failed to obtain enough votes to advance from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, leaving Illinois farmers and the agriculture industry facing uncertainty as the current farm bill extension is set to expire Sept. 30.
For Illinois corn farmers, the Farm Bill provides a framework for policies designed to manage risk, strengthen markets and support long-term profitability. Without a new bill, farmers will continue operating under temporary extensions while making decisions for the coming year.
The Illinois Corn Growers Association identified several priorities for the Farm Bill, including year-round, nationwide E15, increased funding for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program, a mandatory base acre update, crop insurance reform, a Proposition 12 fix, voluntary conservation programs, fertilizer transparency, and bipartisan funding and provisions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“While we're disappointed the Senate Agriculture Committee did not advance a Farm Bill before the August recess, we understand there is still work to do,” said Mark Bunselmeyer, ICGA president and Maroa, Illinois farmer. “We want Congress to continue refining the bill to ensure it maintains the bipartisan support needed for passage. That includes strengthening key priorities for Illinois corn farmers while preserving important programs like SNAP that connect the Farm Bill from the people growing our food to the families who rely on it. Illinois farmers need the certainty of a strong, bipartisan Farm Bill before the current extension expires.”
ICGA also thanked Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., for offering amendments addressing priorities such as a mandatory base acre update and crop insurance reform, noting his support for Illinois farmers.
ICGA will continue advocating for a bipartisan Farm Bill and encouraging Illinois farmers to communicate with members of Congress about the legislation.
Source: IL Corn, "Farm Bill Delay Extends Uncertainty for Illinois Corn Farmers"