How much will the Farm Bill’s increased base acres cost the U.S. taxpayer?

The 2025 Farm Bill could bring a massive expansion of base acres.

At the center of it is a new base acre provision that could add up to 30 million acres across the country. Researchers say that sounds promising but warn it may not play out the same for every farm or every state.

Early analysis shows five Plains states could account for nearly 40% of the new base acres.

There are still plenty of questions about how USDA will roll it out and who really stans to gain.
With more base acres comes more spending, raising concerns about how much this will ultimately cost taxpayers.

Related Stories
Congressional leaders signal momentum toward expanded, targeted farm aid to help producers manage losses and cash-flow stress in 2026.
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discusses market conditions, policy priorities, and his outlook for agriculture moving forward.
Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss key ag policy developments and his outlook for agriculture in 2026.
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-IA, details how the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act (OBBBA) supports farmers, biofuels, and rural communities with tax breaks, crop insurance relief, and ag infrastructure.
“So, this assistance will help in the short-term, but that shouldn’t be confused with the long-term solution.”
While the 2018 Farm Bill received an extension under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act, the National Pork Producers Council wants lawmakers to do more to support the sector.