Introduce and support legislation to let USDA include virtual fencing under the Emergency Conservation Program.

Ricketts introduced the FENCE Act to let USDA include virtual fencing under the Emergency Conservation Program.

He introduced legislation to expand USDA emergency conservation support so it can include virtual fencing.

Ricketts Introduces FENCE Act to Support Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.4-mini

The senator's official homepage listed a June 9, 2026 press release titled "Ricketts Introduces FENCE Act to Support Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers."

This is a concrete in-window legislative action on fencing policy. It shows Ricketts introduced a bill on June 9, 2026, but the accessible excerpt does not confirm that the measure specifically added virtual fencing to USDA's Emergency Conservation Program, so the commitment is only partially verified.

partial same_term A for effort

Pete Ricketts - U.S. Senator for Nebraska
primary · model gpt-5.4-mini · confidence 78%

Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Fencing Eligibility for New Conservation Equipment (FENCE) Act. The legislation would authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to include virtual fencing as another option for farmers and ranchers under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).

Ricketts introduced the FENCE Act during his Senate term, and the release states the bill would authorize USDA to include virtual fencing under ECP. This directly matches the promise to introduce and support such legislation.

delivered same_term A for effort

Ricketts Introduces FENCE Act to Support Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers
primary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 95%

The FENCE Act would: Authorize USDA to include virtual fencing as an option for farmers and ranchers to utilize under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Currently, the ECP covers up to 75% of the cost of the restoration or replacement of permanent agricultural fences. Allowing for “new or emerging technologies” under the program will provide another resource for farmers and ranchers to opt into.

The official release describes the operative substance of the bill: adding virtual fencing as an ECP option and treating it as a new or emerging technology within the program.

delivered same_term A for effort

Ricketts Introduces FENCE Act to Support Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers
primary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 94%

The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and put in place methods for water conservation during severe drought. The ECP does this through funding and technical assistance. The funding for ECP is determined by Congress. Up to 75% of the cost to implement emergency conservation practices can be provided.

USDA confirms ECP is a federal program for disaster-related farm and ranch recovery, funded by Congress, with cost-share assistance. This supports the policy context for legislation authorizing USDA to add virtual fencing under ECP, though it does not independently prove Ricketts introduced the bill.

partial unknown

Emergency Conservation Program | Farm Service Agency
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 82%