AFBF Backs Senate Farm Bill Markup, Calls E15 a Key Win

TL;DR: The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the nation's largest general farm organization, on Aug. 1 praised the Senate Agriculture Committee's markup set for Aug. 6 and endorsed the revised Farm Bill 2.0 text for including year-round E15 sales and expanded farm lending. First amendment deadline falls Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Key takeaway

AFBF's backing of the Aug. 6 Senate markup and its year-round E15 provision gives Chairman Boozman's timeline outsized political momentum heading into Thursday.

What happened

AFBF President Zippy Duvall applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee's scheduled markup for Aug. 6 and praised the revised Farm Bill 2.0 text. The endorsement, issued Aug. 1, singled out year-round E15 sales as a key win for farmers.

E15 refers to gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol. Federal rules have historically restricted summertime sales in many areas, and year-round access is a long-standing priority for corn growers and biofuel groups. The revised text also drew AFBF's approval for expanded farm lending provisions.

AFBF is described as the nation's largest general farm organization, which gives its signal outsized political weight as the committee moves toward a vote. You can track the committee's progress on our Senate status page.

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, representing 200-plus organizations, separately welcomed the Aug. 6 markup and urged committee action. Agri-Pulse confirms E15 and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are the central policy fights heading into Thursday's markup.

What it means

Two of the largest farm coalitions publicly backing the markup schedule signals building momentum for Chairman Boozman's timeline. When general farm groups and specialty crop groups align on process, it lowers the odds of a delay.

Here is what the endorsed provisions mean for specific readers:

• Corn and ethanol producers: Year-round E15 sales would remove seasonal restrictions that limit summer demand, potentially expanding markets. See how this compares to prior law on our what's new vs. 2018 page.
• Ag lenders and borrowers: Expanded farm lending provisions could raise loan limits or broaden eligibility, though the specific dollar figures are to be confirmed in the marked-up text.
• Specialty crop growers: The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance's separate call for action reflects broad, cross-sector support for moving the bill now.

The central fights remain E15 and SNAP. AFBF's endorsement does not resolve the SNAP disagreements, which are expected to draw the most contested amendments. Review the full title-by-title changes in our full bill summary.

What's next

The Senate Agriculture Committee markup is scheduled for Aug. 6. As of Aug. 3, the first amendment deadline is set for Tuesday at 6 p.m., with a second amendment deadline Wednesday at 6 p.m.

That two-day window is the last practical opportunity for major changes before the markup itself, per Agri-Pulse. Any significant shifts to E15, farm lending, or SNAP language would likely need to be filed by those deadlines. Follow filings on our amendments tracker.

After markup, the bill would need a full Senate floor vote and reconciliation with the House-passed H.R. 7567 text. Track the broader legislative path on our timeline and status page.

Frequently asked questions

What did the American Farm Bureau say about the Senate farm bill markup?

The American Farm Bureau Federation, through President Zippy Duvall, applauded the Senate Agriculture Committee's markup scheduled for Aug. 6, 2026. AFBF praised the revised Farm Bill 2.0 text for including year-round E15 sales and expanded farm lending, calling year-round E15 a key win. As the nation's largest general farm organization, AFBF's endorsement carries significant political weight for the bill's momentum.

What is year-round E15 and why does it matter in the farm bill?

Year-round E15 refers to allowing gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol to be sold in all seasons, removing summertime restrictions that have limited sales in many areas. It matters because it expands demand for corn-based ethanol, benefiting corn growers and biofuel producers. AFBF called the year-round E15 provision in the revised Farm Bill 2.0 text a key win for farmers.

When is the Senate Agriculture Committee farm bill markup?

The Senate Agriculture Committee markup is scheduled for Aug. 6, 2026. Two amendment deadlines precede it: the first at Tuesday 6 p.m. and the second at Wednesday 6 p.m. Per Agri-Pulse, this week is the last practical window for major changes before the markup begins. E15 and SNAP are expected to be the central policy fights.

What are the main policy fights in the Senate farm bill markup?

According to Agri-Pulse, E15 and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are the central policy fights heading into the Aug. 6 markup. While AFBF endorsed the E15 and farm lending provisions, the SNAP disagreements remain unresolved and are expected to draw the most contested amendments during committee action.

Did other farm groups support the Aug. 6 markup?

Yes. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, which represents more than 200 organizations, separately welcomed the Aug. 6 markup and urged the committee to act. Combined with AFBF's endorsement, the alignment of general farm and specialty crop coalitions signals broad, cross-sector support for moving the bill forward on Chairman Boozman's timeline.

Sources

• American Farm Bureau Federation , AFBF statement on the Senate markup schedule, dated 2026-08-01.
• Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance / Western Growers , Specialty crop coalition response to markup momentum, dated 2026-08-01.
• Agri-Pulse Communications , Week Ahead preview of E15 and SNAP fights and amendment deadlines.