In the last few hours, the House has narrowly passed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” Act that extends tax breaks and boosts farm programs.
The reconciliation bill was again debated all night, this time before the full House. It passed by just one vote and made the 2017 tax cuts permanent, a major request from farmers and ag groups. This includes adjustments to the estate tax exemption, and it also includes SNAP reform, increases crop insurance, and commodity program spending. House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson says the bill stops tax hikes, reigns in spending, and invests in rural America.
The bill now moves to the Senate. Thompson says once this bill is settled, he is eager to get to work on the Farm Bill, which addresses several issues not included in the reconciliation package. Those include farm loan limits and rules, action on the local ag market program, nutrition assistance incentives, and other rural development programs. Thompson says the remaining issues in the Farm Bill are now much easier to tackle with the larger issues now out of the way.
From projected drops in input costs to biofuel expansion and the USDA’s new “One Farmer, One File” initiative, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins shared key policy priorities at Commodity Classic that put farm issues back in the spotlight.
February 27, 2026 11:32 AM
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NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart discussed the legal process behind delisting the prairie chicken, the challenges ranchers faced under the bird’s previous protections, and the benefits of cooperative habitat management for both livestock and wildlife.
February 27, 2026 10:55 AM
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U.S.-Mexico agricultural trade faces uncertainty in 2026 as tariffs and cartel violence threaten farmers and ranchers. Congressman Henry Cuellar and Texas leaders weigh in on impacts and risks.
February 27, 2026 09:00 AM
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Through “One Farmer, One File,” USDA’s mission is to create a single, streamlined record that follows the farmer — no matter where they go in the USDA system.
February 26, 2026 05:13 PM
USDA headquarters downsizing reflects cost pressures and may reshape agency operations.
February 26, 2026 03:45 PM
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USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance payments could begin this weekend as producers face tight margins, shifting acreage expectations, cattle herd contraction, and growing pressure for a stronger farm safety net.
February 26, 2026 12:11 PM
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