Farm Bill 2.0 & Disaster Aid: Mike Stranz Outlines What Farmers Can Expect This Year: As the agricultural community steps into 2026, many of the challenges from the previous year remain at the forefront. In a recent interview, Mike Stranz of the National Farmers Union (NFU) joined Farm Director KC Sheperd to discuss the pressing issues facing producers, from the lingering Farm Bill negotiations to renewed calls for Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).
Farm Bill 2.0 and Emergency Assistance Despite the turn of the calendar, the “Farm Bill 2.0” remains a primary focus. Stranz noted rumors that House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson may introduce new language this January to address unresolved issues in the agricultural economy.
Beyond the Farm Bill, immediate financial relief is a hot topic. While the $12 billion Farmer Bridge assistance program was recently rolled out, discussions are already underway for an additional round of funding.
“There’s already talk about getting some appropriations together to put out another $10 billion or so to provide some assistance to either farmers who weren’t already helped by the FBA or some other structures,” Stranz said.
However, Stranz emphasized that constant ad hoc disaster payments come at a cost—both financial and political. The NFU is advocating for a return to permanent disaster legislation within farm policy.
“We want to push forward on farm policy that helps us all,” Stranz stated, adding that policies should anticipate low prices and high input costs well in advance rather than relying on emergency scrambles.
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Returns to the Table With the potential for increased beef imports, the debate over mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) has reignited. Stranz confirmed that COOL is “back on the table,” with support building in both the House and Senate. He specifically highlighted the efforts of Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) as a champion for the cause.
“If there’s going to be talk about further increasing beef imports, we need to have Country of Origin Labeling, and I think that’s clear to many members of Congress,” Stranz told Sheperd.
Competition and Fairness for Farmers Looking ahead to the rest of 2026, Stranz identified market competition as a critical item on the NFU’s wish list. He pointed to promising signs from the Department of Justice regarding investigations into market manipulation in the beef sector, as well as the Federal Trade Commission’s involvement in “Right to Repair” issues.
Stranz expressed hope that these initiatives would remain a priority for both the Trump administration and Congress. “We can’t just rely on the executive branch or on the legislative branch to do this. We need everybody working on it together,” he said.
Upcoming Events The NFU is gearing up for a busy spring, with their national convention set for early March in New Orleans. Stranz also hinted at a potential “fly-in” or week of action later in the spring to rally support for improved farm policies, similar to their efforts last year.
“Farmers Union were about bringing farmers together from all kinds of production shapes and sizes,” Stranz concluded.
