Hoosier Act Today• Mar 2, 2026• 8:34Interview

Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation President, Talks Farm Policy at Commodity Classic 2026

From Hoosier Act Today

Zippy Duvall•President, American Farm Bureau Federation

Executive Summary

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is strongly advocating for the passage of a new, modernized Farm Bill, urging members to lobby lawmakers to provide economic certainty for rural America.
Key legislative priorities for the AFBF include a federal solution to California's Proposition 12, which it views as a threat to interstate commerce, and the permanent authorization of year-round E15 sales to boost domestic demand.
Agricultural labor reform is identified as a critical challenge, with the AFBF supporting a forthcoming bill from the House Agriculture Committee to address the undocumented workforce, labor costs, and year-round needs.
Following a Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, the AFBF is concerned about rising input costs and is lobbying the administration to maintain exemptions for agricultural products while pursuing new trade deals.

12 quotes

Concerns Raised

The current "terrible farm economy" is putting significant pressure on producers.
Legislative inaction on the Farm Bill creates uncertainty for farmers and ranchers.
California's Prop 12 sets a dangerous precedent for interstate commerce.
A lack of comprehensive agricultural labor reform threatens farm viability.
Recent tariff rulings could significantly increase the cost of farm inputs like fertilizer and equipment.

Opportunities Identified

Passing a new, modernized Farm Bill to improve risk management tools.
Securing permanent year-round sales of E15 to increase domestic corn demand.
Enacting meaningful agricultural labor reform to solve a critical operational challenge.
Developing new markets for agricultural products through sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Negotiating new trade deals to expand export opportunities for American agriculture.

Key Themes

Urgency for a New Farm Bill

The discussion highlights the critical need for Congress to pass a new, modernized, and complete Farm Bill. The AFBF emphasizes that this legislation is essential for providing certainty and updated risk management tools to farmers and ranchers facing a difficult economic climate.

The Farm Bill is the primary agricultural and food policy legislation in the U.S., and its timely passage is crucial for the stability and planning of the entire agricultural sector.

Interstate Commerce vs. State Regulations

California's Proposition 12 is framed as a significant threat to interstate commerce, with concerns that one state's regulations could dictate production standards for the entire country. The AFBF is pushing for a legislative fix within the Farm Bill to prevent this precedent from expanding to other commodities.

This conflict could lead to a fragmented and inefficient national market, increasing compliance costs for producers and potentially disrupting food supply chains.

Agricultural Labor Crisis

The lack of a stable and legal workforce is presented as one of the biggest issues facing modern agriculture. The AFBF supports forthcoming legislation aimed at reforming the ag labor system by addressing the undocumented workforce, managing costs, and accommodating year-round agricultural needs.

Resolving the agricultural labor shortage is fundamental to the operational viability of farms and the stability of the nation's food supply.

Expanding Domestic Biofuel Markets

The AFBF is actively promoting policies to increase domestic demand for agricultural commodities through biofuels. Key initiatives include securing permanent year-round sales of E15 and developing the market for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Creating robust domestic markets for biofuels provides a vital revenue stream for crop producers, supports rural economies, and contributes to U.S. energy policy goals.

Trade Policy and Input Costs

A recent Supreme Court decision on tariffs has raised concerns about potential increases in the cost of essential farm inputs like fertilizer and equipment. The AFBF is urging the administration to protect agriculture from negative impacts while simultaneously working to establish new trade deals to expand export markets.

The balance between protective tariffs and open trade directly impacts farm profitability, influencing both the cost of production and the price received for commodities on the global market.

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Topics

Farm Bill Agricultural Policy American Farm Bureau Federation Zippy Duvall House Agriculture Committee G.T. Thompson California Proposition 12 Interstate Commerce E15 Biofuels Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)Agricultural Labor Reform Tariffs Trade Policy Farm Economy

Processed Apr 20, 2026 yt-dlp + mlx-whisper + Gemini