This year’s budget reconciliation package – nicknamed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” – includes many provisions that are important for America’s farmers and ranchers.
Emily Buckman, American Farm Bureau Federation director of government affairs, says the bill delivers much-needed enhancements in the farm safety net, including higher reference prices that reflect the current agricultural economy.
In addition, it invests in working lands conservation programs, supports increased commodity exports, and provides additional resources to bolster U.S. research capabilities.
The bill includes $66 billion in ag funding.
A critical factor in getting the bill passed was Farm Bureau member engagement, said Brantley Seifers, Indiana Farm Bureau national affairs director.
“Telling their own stories and giving legislators a grassroots view of the economy, trade issues and other ongoing challenges in agriculture was really important,” Seifers said.
While the legislation contains provisions beneficial to farmers and ranchers, there are other priorities Farm Bureau will work on before the current farm bill extension expires.
“This includes policy-related updates to programs across several fields of the farm bill, including conservation reserve programs, USDA broadband programs, and we're also looking to find a fix for Proposition 12,” Buckman said. “So, we look forward to working with the agriculture committees in the coming months to address the remaining farm bill priorities.”
For more detailed information, see the July 2 issue of AFBF’s “Market Intel,” which provides market and policy insight and analysis, available at fb.org/market-intel.