Zippy Duvall Highlights Relief Efforts, Farm Bill Challenges at Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
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American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall addressed Kansas farmers and ranchers on Sunday as the keynote speaker at the 107th Kansas Farm Bureau Annual Meeting in Manhattan. His message focused on federal relief efforts, the future of the farm bill, and ongoing priorities in Washington, D.C.—all at the forefront of discussions heading into 2025.
Bridge Payment Relief: Helpful, but Not Enough
Duvall discussed Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins’ recent announcement of the administration’s bridge payment relief package, aimed at supporting producers during continued market and policy uncertainty. Estimates place the relief amount between $11 and $12 billion, but Duvall says even the higher figure will fall short of covering farmers’ needs.
He emphasized the importance of farmers sharing their own stories:
“We need our membership engaged. We need to be telling that story from our farms about labor and what that bridge payment would mean to get us to what the big, beautiful bill did in Title I and crop insurance for next year,” Duvall said.
He noted that administration officials expect Congress may need to step in with additional funding, depending on how the situation evolves.
Skinny Farm Bill Unlikely This Year
As for the long-discussed skinny farm bill, Duvall said it’s increasingly unlikely Congress will pass anything before the end of the year. Instead, he expects action to shift into the next calendar year, calling the process a “heavy lift.”
Duvall stressed that grassroots involvement remains critical:
“It’s important not just for the titles right now—it’s for the future,” he said. “We need nutrition and farm programs united together again. That’s what brings everyone to the table—urban, suburban, and rural. Everyone has something in the farm bill for their constituents.”
Uniting the nutrition and production agriculture titles, he explained, has historically been the key to passing comprehensive and bipartisan farm bills.
Optimism for Year-Round E15
One bright spot: Duvall expressed optimism that a vote on year-round E15 fuel sales could still happen before the year ends. Supporters say year-round E15 would expand fuel options for consumers while boosting demand for corn and ethanol.
Looking Ahead
The meeting underscored the balance of urgency and optimism shaping agriculture policy discussions going into 2025. While relief programs and pending legislation present challenges, Duvall’s message centered on the power of farmer engagement and the need to return to a more unified farm-bill process.
