- A one-year extension was passed on Dec. 21, 2024, before the 118th Congress disbanded.
- The current farm bill is outdated, and this extension is a short-term fix.
- The American Relief Act of 2025 provides $9.8 billion in market relief payments for 20 covered crops and nearly $21 billion for disaster relief.
- Producers face declining crop prices, elevated total production costs, and increased input costs.
- The farm bill expires on Sep. 30, impacting programs with fiscal year authorizations.
Congress has extended the current seven-year-old farm bill, which was introduced in 2018. Farmers across the country agree that the current farm bill is outdated, and this is a short-term fix. Recent farm bills have faced legislative hurdles, such as insufficient votes to pass the House floor, presidential vetoes, and delays, ultimately resulting in short-term extensions.
Congress extended the seven-year-old Farm Bill
On Dec. 21, 2024, before the 118th Congress disbanded, a one-year extension to the bill was passed. Additionally, Congress passed the American Relief Act of 2025, which will keep the government funded through March 14. The act contains $9.8 billion in market relief payments for twenty covered crops and nearly $21 billion for disaster relief.
Producers are currently facing a decline in crop prices, while total production costs remain elevated. Input costs have gone up, and export markets have not been as high as they normally would be due to issues on both the export side and the domestic markets. Expiration of a farm bill on Sep. 30 matters for programs with fiscal year authorizations, including nutrition, conservation, and other agricultural programs.
