Anaheim, CA--A policy resolution from Montana Farm Bureau regarding opposing the merger of the Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation railroads passed unanimously at the 2026 American Farm Bureau Meeting of Voting Delegates. The delegate session plays an integral part of the 107th AFBF Convention as members from around the country establish policy for the year.

MFBF President Cyndi Johnson explained it was gratifying to seeing the policy originating from the Chouteau County Farm Bureau advance through the grassroots process to the being approved by voting delegates from across the country.

“The potential merger of Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern would have negative implications for Montana agriculture because many of the inputs we use and the commodities we sell could ultimately end up being distributed on the UP/NS rail system,” Johnson explained. “There are few rail miles in Montana related to these railroads but we would be paying part of the bill. Especially in the captive shipper states in the west, the risk of further consolidation is too high and the benefit for bulk commodities is far too low. If the UP/NS merger is allowed to go through, it will essentially create one national railroad, leaving only two regional rail companies with which to compete. This merger will give them control over almost half of the country’s rail tonnage and major market power, resulting in less competition and higher rail rates, which hurts farmers.”

Other policy that advanced from county Farm Bureau’s included supporting limited liability for risks in agritourism operations and requesting the Risk Management Agency (RMA) provide crop insurance using contract pricing to establish a producer’s guaranteed coverage for crops not grown widely enough to have their own applicable futures markets. 

In addition, several policies originating from county Farm Bureaus in Montana focused on management of federally owned lands.

Other policies brought by MFBF that were incorporated into similar policy included support for the eradication of the New Word Screwworm, fair trade agreements for the American lamb industry and the establishment of a program to analyze the effectiveness of state, federal and international plant and animal diseases/insect control.

Delegates adopted policy to improve labor programs to meet the needs of America’s farmers and ranchers, including formalizing support for the new Adverse Effect Wage Rate methodology, and further revisions to avoid unpredictable rate swings in the future. Delegates also formalized support for prioritizing locally grown fruits, vegetables, bread, and proteins in institutional purchases such as schools and government facilities.

For the fourth year, delegates were polled during the voting session regarding their farms. The results show almost 99 percent of those who cast votes operate family farms and more than two-thirds represent small- to mid-size farms as defined by U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The discussion highlighted the fact that farmers across the spectrum and across the country are struggling.

 “America’s farmers and ranchers are facing unprecedented challenges in agriculture, including high supply costs, trade imbalances and low commodity prices. This week our members gave us guidance on how we should address those challenges in the coming year,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Farm Bureau’s strength was on display as our grassroots set the policy for this organization. We look forward to taking their stories to leaders in Washington, as we work to ensure farmers and ranchers can continue to fill pantries for families across the country.”