Illinois Soybean Association Urges New Farm Bill Amid Rising Costs

The Illinois Soybean Association is urging Congress to pass a new farm bill to provide stability for farmers amid rising input costs. Tim Scates, District 16 director and Government Relations Committee chair, emphasized that it's time for a new farm bill after eight years without one.

Commodity prices have seen little change since the last farm bill was passed in 2018, with corn averaging $3.47 per bushel, soybeans at $9.15, and wheat at $5.14. In contrast, crop production expenditures nationwide totaled $181.9 billion in 2018 and grew to $235.3 billion in 2025.

Scates also highlighted the need for a new farm bill to address emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, which farmers are incorporating into their operations.