South Dakota Wants Better Farm Bill Support

By Scout Nelson

South Dakota farm organizations are calling on Congress to strengthen the Senate version of the Agricultural Act of 2026, saying it should provide greater support for farmers facing economic and environmental challenges. The Senate released its draft of the Farm Bill in late June, but many agricultural groups believe additional improvements are needed before the legislation moves forward.

Megan EisenVos, a community organizer with Dakota Rural Action, said farmers across South Dakota continue to face serious issues, including unstable commodity prices, uncertain markets, drought, flooding, and other extreme weather events. She believes the current Senate proposal does not go far enough to address these growing concerns.

The Senate Agriculture Committee plans to review the bill later this summer, although no official markup date has been announced. Progress has slowed because Senate Democrats are requesting the restoration of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding after H.R. 1 shifted billions of dollars in costs to state governments. Senate Republicans have not agreed to those changes.

Another issue raised by South Dakota farm groups is the absence of mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef in both the Senate and House Farm Bill proposals. Supporters believe clear labeling would help consumers identify where their beef is produced while providing additional value to American livestock producers.

Some lawmakers argue that mandatory labeling could create international trade disputes. However, many producers believe stronger labeling rules would improve transparency and support local agriculture.

EisenVos also encouraged South Dakota residents to share their opinions with elected officials, especially since Senator John Thune, the Senate Majority Leader, plays an important role in Farm Bill discussions.

The current Farm Bill was passed in 2018 and has been extended several times. It is scheduled to expire at the end of September, increasing pressure on Congress to complete a new bill that meets the needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.