Advancing American Agriculture: Trump unveils farm policy actions ahead of spring planting season

Hundreds of producers, industry leaders and policymakers gathered at the steps of the White House to celebrate America’s ag industry during an event held in the middle of National Ag Week.

Here, President Donald Trump – flanked by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Kelly Loeffler – announced a series of farm-related policy measures just in time for producers to begin spring planting work.

The sweeping proposals included everything from biofuel mandates and equipment regulations to tax policy – measures the administration believes are crucial to keeping the nation’s ag industry sustainable.

“Rain or shine, no one has a greater spirit than the American farmer. We love the American farmer,” Trump told those in attendance.

Biofuel policy

Updated biofuel blending requirements were at the center of the president’s announcement.

He noted the administration finalized the highest-blending requirements under the Renewable Fuel Standard, a move he expects to generate more than $10 billion in rural economic benefit, support approximately 100,000 jobs and “massively increase the nation’s energy supply.”

Industry experts said the decision comes at an important time for both the oil and farm sectors, as policymakers are currently trying to balance refiners’ concerns about gasoline prices while farmers are counting on stronger biofuel demand to support crop markets.

Additionally, Trump said his administration has been urging Congress to approve nationwide, year-round sales of E15 fuel.

“I’m trusting them to find a deal that works for farmers, consumers and refiners, including small and mid-sized refiners,” Trump said. “They’re going to send me a bill, and we should be able to get it done.”

DEF policy changes

Another major announcement made during the event focused on changes to diesel equipment regulations, specifically the industry’s longstanding concerns about diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) systems.

Trump declared new guidance removing DEF sensor requirements for diesel-powered equipment, which intends to address widespread complaints from farmers and truckers about system failures that can cause unexpected shutdowns or reduced engine performance.

Zeldin noted, earlier in the year, the EPA demanded critical data on DEF system failures be turned over from the manufacturers who account for 80 percent of all products used in DEF systems and, so far, the agency has received data from 11 of the 14 manufacturers. 

A preliminary review of the data shows DEF sensor failures are a significant source of warranty claims and DEF-related inducement. 

“Farmers and truck drivers should not have their vehicles stop working because a sensor isn’t working properly, and EPA is taking immediate action on this new information,” EPA said in a March 27 statement. “The agency’s new guidance makes it clear, under existing regulations, manufacturers can stop inaccurate DEF system failures by removing traditional emission sensors, known as Urea Quality Sensors, and switching to nitrous oxide (NOx) sensors.” 

EPA also affirmed approved NOx sensor-based software updates can be installed on existing engines without being treated as illegal tampering under the Clean Air Act. This aligns with the agency’s February 2026 right to repair clarification, which removed a major barrier keeping farmers from fixing their faulty DEF systems in the field. 

According to SBA estimates, this change could save farmers nearly $4.4 billion a year in repair costs and lost productively, with total savings across all sectors reaching nearly $13.8 billion per year.

“Failing DEF systems are not an East Coast, West Coast or Heartland issue. It is a nationwide disaster. I have heard from truck drivers, farmers and many others complaining about DEF and pleading for a fix in all 50 states when I visited during my first year as EPA administrator,” said Zeldin. 

“Americans are justified in being fed up with failing DEF system issues,” he continued. “EPA understands this is a massive issue and has been doing everything in our statutory power to address this. Today, we take another step in furthering our work by removing DEF sensors. Farmers and truckers should not be losing billions of dollars because of repair costs or days lost on the job.” 

Tax, trade and market expansion

Additionally, Trump said he has been calling on Congress to pass a new farm bill and pledged to seek additional farm funding and tax relief in upcoming legislation.

In a March 27 press release, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) noted the recently enacted Working Families Tax Cuts, which is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has already delivered huge benefits to the nation’s ag producers and highlighted the importance of these changes.

Provisions in the Working Families Tax bill include enhanced deductions for capital investments and expanded estate tax exemptions, which NCBA President Gene Copenhaver said will help prevent family farms and ranches from being sold to cover tax liabilities and preserve operations for future generations.

“One of NCBA’s longest standing priorities was expanding the Death Tax exemption and delivering much needed tax relief to rural America. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, American cattle producers are in much better shape this tax season than last year,” said Copenhaver. “This tax relief protects countless family farms and ranches from being sold off to pay tax debts and the money producers are now saving can be reinvested in these cattle operations for future generations.” 

Support is also being provided through SBA, which announced expanded loan guarantees for farmers, food processors and rural businesses with the intention to improve access to capital, especially for smaller operations navigating tight margins.

Additionally, trade policy continues to play a central role in the administration’s ag strategy. 

According to Rollins, the U.S. has established 18 new trade agreements or frameworks aimed at expanding market access for ag products, which have contributed to double-digit growth in U.S. ag exports in 2025, including commodities such as corn, dairy and eggs.

Rollins further noted the administration has been working to strengthen the farm safety net, increasing reference prices for the first time in over 10 years and delivering more than $400 million each year – including another $12 billion in farmer bridge payments – to help them recover from natural disasters. 

“Our farmers and ranchers have been grateful for these improvements, but they deserve even more,” Rollins stated. “This is why we rolled out a new voluntary ‘Product of the USA’ label last week. When consumers see this label on meat, poultry or egg products, they will know it was entirely born, raised and slaughtered here in the U.S.” 

Rural Revival Agenda

Beyond policy changes, the administration announced its broader “Rural Revival Agenda,” a four-pillar program aimed at strengthening rural economies and supporting long-term growth. 

The initiative’s four key components include expanding investments in rural healthcare, infrastructure and education; continuing efforts to reduce regulatory burdens; providing incentives for private sector investments into rural communities and collaborating with state and local governments to address region-specific needs.

The plan also builds on existing programs, including crop insurance reform and increased reference prices, which are intended to strengthen the ag safety net. 

“Our Rural Revival Agenda is about putting farmers, ranchers and everyone in rural America back at the center of our policymaking and national conversation, right where they belong,” Rollins said. “No matter what challenges our nation has faced, these men and women have always stood in the gap, declaring their unwavering commitment to the American way of life – to patriotism and civic responsibility, to standing where their mothers and fathers stood and to holding down the fort and guarding the flame so it can burn even brighter for future generations.”

“As the farmers I met at the White House return to their fields, I hope they will remember the Trump administration will always fight to defend their freedom, because defending America is defending farmers, and defending farmers is defending America,” she continued. “It was true at the founding, and it is true today.”

Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.