WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer, today discussed the need to secure year-round, nationwide E-15 and boost transparency among poultry producers during a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on the state of the ag economy. Grassley also highlighted farmers’ ongoing struggle with high input costs and low commodity prices, which were exacerbated by the Biden administration’s overregulation and unambitious approach to trade.

Video and excerpts of Grassley’s questions for Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union, follow.

VIDEO 

E-15 Year-Round, Nationwide:

“I hope you can work hard for E-15 year-round, nationwide, because that’s going to help commodity prices more than a lot of other things we can do here.” 

Packers and Stockyards Transparency Initiatives:

“I understand this hearing is focused mostly on crop commodities, but I’d like to take this opportunity to ask both of you about the Poultry Grower Payment System and Capital Improvement Systems rule that was finalized under Secretary Vilsack. 

“This rule is meant to provide more transparency for poultry producers under the tournament system and give farmers a fair shake in contracts. 

“Mr. Duvall, can you speak to how this rule may positively effect producers’ bottom lines? 

“Mr. Larew, can you speak to how changing or removing pieces of this rule may negatively impact poultry producers? 

Farm Profitability and New Markets:

“Over the last four years, American crop farmers had a year or two of record high net cash farm income. 

“Unfortunately, American farmers have also had to face years of record high inflation under an administration that was largely deaf to farmers’ needs. 

“In 2023 and 2024, net cash farm income dropped dramatically. In other words, row crop farmers were losing money. 

“The stagnant trade policies, lack of ambition to find new markets for commodities and overregulation of the Biden administration caught up to farmers. 

“Many family farmers in Iowa have faced machinery and land payments with high interest rates farmers haven’t seen in decades, while dealing with a steep downturn in commodity prices. 

“...[T]his trend will continue until new markets are created for agriculture products.” 

-30-