AFBF on Farm Bill Markup and Farmers Spend More on Diesel
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**The American Farm Bureau Federation welcomed the release of Senate farm bill text and a scheduled markup by the Senate Ag Committee, calling it an important step toward advancing long-delayed legislation affecting agriculture.
Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall praised Senate Ag Chair John Boozman for the legislation and expressed optimism lawmakers can build bipartisan support to move the bill through Congress.
He also cited support from the administration for advancing the measure.
**The USDA is moving forward with plans to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, Port of Entry to livestock trade on Aug. 24, in what Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins describes as one of the most rigorous livestock inspection systems ever implemented.
Douglas was selected because Sonora has one of Mexico's strongest animal health systems and is considered the lowest-risk state for New World screwworm.
Any detection of NWS would immediately halt imports through the facility.
**A new study found U.S. farmers spent $1.4 billion MORE on diesel fuel during the 2025–26 planting season than they did last season.
Successful Farming reports the increase in diesel spending to plant corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice was a 63% jump year-over-year.
Farms.com says the average farmer paid roughly $1,500 more to refill a typical on-farm fuel tank compared to peak costs in 2025.
