Oct. 10, 2026

PERDUE JOINS SENATORS AT AG ROUNDTABLE
NDFU President Matt Perdue stressed the challenges producers are facing while attending an agriculture roundtable at NDSU, hosted by Sen. John Hoeven and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.). Among the challenges Perdue addressed were high input costs, market uncertainty and ongoing trade disputes. The senators discussed implementation of farm safety net improvements approved earlier this year, as well as the Ag Committee efforts to finish the broader farm bill. 

Boozman said lawmakers remain committed to advancing the farm bill and securing additional assistance for producers before the end of the year. The legislation faces a tight congressional calendar, making the post-election lame-duck session likely the only time to complete the bill. The farm bill expired Sept. 30.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXPANDS USE OF DYED DIESEL
President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily allowing dyed diesel to be used in on-road vehicles, deferring the 24.4-cent federal excise tax through the end of 2026. The administration said the action is intended to provide relief from high diesel prices for farmers, truckers and other fuel users. The Treasury department has not released guidance on how the taxes will be collected in the future and the announcement does not waive penalties that could be imposed by states. Industry representatives warn the move may provide limited relief because high diesel prices are largely being driven by tight supplies.

The federal action follows a similar executive order from Gov. Kelly Armstrong allowing North Dakota farmers to use dyed diesel in licensed vehicles connected to agricultural operations. Armstrong’s order, which remains in effect through Nov. 30, reduces the applicable state diesel tax from 23 cents to 4 cents per gallon. NDFU believes  these actions are meaningful, but the dyed-diesel executive orders will not significantly offset farmers’ financial strain from high diesel prices.  NDFU maintains more needs to be done to address rising input costs.

PROPOSED UP/NORFOLK SOUTHERN MERGER OPPOSED
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is continuing its review of the proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern rail roads after denying several motions seeking summary rejection of the application. The decision does not indicate how the board will ultimately rule on the merger application. 

National Farmers Union opposes the merger, arguing further rail consolidation will reduce competition, increase shipping costs and leave agricultural shippers with fewer options. NFU and many shippers have called on the STB to reject the proposal.

FWS EXPANDS REVIEW OF NORTH DAKOTA WETLAND EASEMENTS
The U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced an expanded review of Prairie Pothole wetland easements with a particular focus on older North Dakota easements. The voluntary effort will allow participating landowners to review easement maps with FWS and could result in map revisions, voluntary protection of additional wetlands or consideration of easement exchanges. The agency said the expanded effort incorporates feedback from farmers, ranchers and conservation groups following an earlier pilot project.

Sen. Kevin Cramer, who placed holds on administration nominees over FWS wetland policies, has begun allowing some nominations to move forward as Interior and FWS reconsider their approach. NDFU has pushed FWS for changes to wetland easement and drain-tile setback policies and raised concerns directly with FWS Director Brian Nesvik earlier this year.

IMPROVED FARM SAFETY NET TAKES EFFECT
Farm safety net improvements approved by Congress last year are beginning to take effect, including increases of 10% to 20% in statutory reference prices used by the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. According to the Senate Agriculture Committee, the changes will generate an estimated $721 million in ARC and PLC payments for North Dakota producers for the 2025 crop year. NDFU supported increasing reference prices to strengthen the farm safety net.

USDA has opened ARC and PLC election and enrollment for the 2026 crop year through Dec. 11. Election and enrollment for the 2027 crop year will run from Nov. 2 through March 15, 2027. NDFU continues to support “dual enrollment” allowing producers to receive the higher of ARC or PLC rather than requiring them to choose between programs.

U.S. AND CHINA EXTEND TRADE TRUCE, CUT AGRICULTURAL TARIFFS
The United States and China agreed to extend their trade truce and pursue reciprocal tariff reductions covering $60 billion in trade, following meetings between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. China plans to reduce tariffs on a broad range of U.S. agricultural products, including corn, wheat, sorghum, meat and dairy products. More than 90% of the agricultural products included on the list are expected to return to most-favored-nation tariff rates.

Soybeans were notably excluded from the latest tariff reductions and continue to face an additional 10% Chinese tariff. NDFU supports stable, predictable trading relationships for U.S. agriculture and has opposed the use of tariffs that increase costs or reduce market access for farmers and ranchers.

ASK NDFU
Have a question, comment, or concern? Focused on a policy issue we didn’t discuss here? Send Lance Gaebe or Ryan Gregg an email at lgaebe@ndfu.org or rgregg@ndfu.org, and we will try to include it in the next edition.