What’s next now that farm bill has expired?

accountMktgLSB | calendar-monthOctober 6, 2023

From farmprogress.com: 

As Congress brokered a surprise deal to avoid a government shutdown, the 2018 Farm Bill quietly expired. This leaves the fate of many federal agriculture and nutrition programs unclear until new legislation is passed. Despite this, farmers probably won feel any effects for at least a few months.

No farm bill means smaller initiatives like trade, research and rural development programs may pause or not make additional commitments. For example, the Conservation Reserve Program can continue making payments on existing contracts and enrolled acreage but may not be able to offer new enrollments. Some conservation efforts may be on hold. Others like the Working Lands Programs will continue after their funded was extended by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Crops insurance is permanently funded by the Federal Crop Insurance Act and will continue with or without a farm bill. The same goes for the Livestock Indemnity Program, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, and the Tree Assistance Program.