With Brad Lubben, Associate Professor and Extension Ag Policy Specialist, UNL Center for Agricultural Profitability
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed by Congress and signed by the president on July 4, reauthorizes and increases federal support for farmers and ranchers in the commodity programs, crop insurance programs, and disaster assistance programs. The reconciliation legislation also includes other increases in federal ag programs for trade promotion, research, and animal disease management among other provisions
The increased ag support comes at a cost, primarily though cuts to food assistance programs, straining the fragile farm and food coalition that has historically worked on farm bill reauthorization. What remains of that coalition may be tested soon as the reconciliation legislation left other parts of the farm bill to be addressed before they expire at the end of September.