Governor Urges Lawmakers To Pass Farm Bill

South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden is urging Congress to finish work on a new farm bill, saying permanent year-round sales of E15 gasoline could provide an important boost for farmers, ethanol producers and rural communities.

Rhoden, a Republican, highlighted the E15 provision during a Friday appearance on Newsmax as lawmakers continued debating the Agricultural Act of 2026.

The issue carries particular importance in South Dakota, where corn production, livestock and ethanol are major parts of the agricultural economy.

Rhoden said farmers have waited long enough for Congress to act and described year-round E15 availability as an important part of the legislation.

What Is E15 Gasoline?

E15 is gasoline containing up to 15% ethanol.

Ethanol is commonly produced from corn, creating an additional market for crops grown by American farmers. Because of that connection, expanded E15 sales have received substantial support from lawmakers and agricultural groups representing major corn-producing states.

Federal regulations have historically complicated summertime E15 sales in parts of the United States.

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a temporary nationwide emergency waiver in March 2026 allowing E15 to remain available during the summer driving season beginning May 1.

Supporters of permanent legislation argue that congressional action would provide farmers, fuel retailers and ethanol producers with greater long-term certainty instead of relying on temporary waivers.

Senate Farm Bill Includes Permanent Year-Round E15

The Senate Agriculture Committee’s Agricultural Act of 2026 includes authorization for permanent nationwide year-round E15 sales.

The committee says the legislation is designed to update federal agricultural policy, strengthen farm programs, improve rural infrastructure and create additional markets for American agricultural products.

Committee Chairman Sen. John Boozman released an updated version of the legislation in July that specifically added year-round E15 authorization.

The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the farm bill on September 16, moving the legislation another step forward in Congress.

The measure must still move through the broader legislative process before it can become law.

Why Farmers Are Watching the E15 Debate

For corn farmers, the argument surrounding E15 is closely tied to demand.

More ethanol usage can create an additional market for corn, potentially increasing the amount of domestically produced grain purchased by ethanol facilities.

That is especially relevant in agricultural states where farming and biofuel production support local businesses, transportation companies, equipment dealers and other parts of the rural economy.

Supporters also argue that year-round E15 gives motorists another fuel option at participating stations.

The Senate proposal would make year-round sales permanent rather than depending on temporary regulatory action.

JD Vance Calls for Congressional Action

Vice President JD Vance also promoted year-round E15 during a Friday trip to Iowa, another state with a large corn and ethanol industry.

Vance said President Donald Trump would sign year-round E15 legislation if Congress sends such a measure to his desk.

The administration’s support adds pressure on lawmakers to settle an issue that has repeatedly surfaced during debates over agriculture and national fuel policy.

For farmers, however, the larger question is predictability.

Agricultural producers often make decisions months or years in advance, meaning changes involving commodity markets, crop insurance, fuel demand and federal farm programs can affect long-term planning.

Farm Bill Covers Much More Than Ethanol

Although E15 has attracted considerable attention, the farm bill reaches far beyond fuel policy.

Farm bills traditionally establish or update federal programs involving agriculture, crop insurance, conservation, rural development, nutrition and other areas affecting farming communities.

The Senate Agriculture Committee says its 2026 proposal would strengthen risk-management programs, update conservation initiatives, expand assistance for specialty crops and support rural infrastructure and services.

The legislation contains more than 100 agricultural and nutrition provisions, according to lawmakers involved in the committee process.

That makes the farm bill one of the most consequential pieces of legislation for America’s agricultural sector.

Rhoden Also Supports Beef Country-of-Origin Labeling

Ethanol was not the only agricultural issue Rhoden addressed.

The South Dakota governor also expressed support for mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, arguing that shoppers should have clear information about where their meat comes from.

The issue has been debated for years among ranchers, meat processors, retailers, lawmakers and trade groups.

The Senate’s Agricultural Act of 2026 includes a provision to reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef, according to lawmakers supporting the legislation.

Rhoden, who was raised on a ranch in western South Dakota, said American beef producers should be able to clearly identify domestically produced beef to consumers.

New “Product of USA” Rules Took Effect in 2026

Country-of-origin labeling should not be confused with the federal government’s separate rules governing voluntary “Product of USA” claims.

Beginning January 1, 2026, meat carrying voluntary labels such as “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” generally must come from animals that were born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States.

The USDA adopted the standard after finding that many consumers interpreted “Product of USA” more broadly than previous federal labeling rules required.

The change made voluntary American-origin claims more specific, but supporters of mandatory country-of-origin labeling want additional requirements giving shoppers origin information even when producers do not voluntarily make such claims.

South Dakota Agriculture Has a Major Stake in the Outcome

The farm bill debate could have broad implications for South Dakota.

Corn growers have an interest in ethanol demand. Ranchers are closely watching beef labeling and livestock provisions. Rural communities also depend on federal agriculture, infrastructure and development programs addressed through farm legislation.

That helps explain why Rhoden is urging lawmakers to complete the process rather than allowing the legislation to remain stalled in Washington.

For farmers and ranchers, the debate ultimately involves more than one fuel blend or labeling requirement.

It is about the rules governing agricultural markets, federal farm programs and rural economic policy for years to come.

With the Senate Agriculture Committee advancing the Agricultural Act of 2026, attention now turns to whether lawmakers can move the broader farm bill through Congress and ultimately to President Trump’s desk.