NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — With a partial federal shutdown still in effect, Congress has a short runway to protect agriculture before year-end.
According to the latest calendars, the House has 36 working days left in 2025, and the Senate has 39 days — time that must cover reopening the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and resolving the Farm Bill to prevent a New Year shock to markets and county services.
Lawmakers’ Top To-Do’s for Agriculture:
- Reopen the USDA: Pass the Ag–FDA spending bill (or a continuing resolution) so that FSA/NRCS field offices can process loans and program sign-ups; meat and poultry inspections remain fully supported; and WIC/SNAP avoids strain from stop-start funding.
- Farm Bill or extension by Jan. 1: Without action, policy reverts to Permanent Law (1938/1949 parity rules). That would trigger the “dairy cliff”—government purchases that drive milk prices sharply higher—and raise parity supports for crops like corn, wheat, and cotton until a new bill passes.
- Protect at-risk programs: Crop insurance will continue under permanent authority, and many IRA conservation dollars will remain available through 2031. However, rural development, trade promotion, research, specialty crops, and energy authorities are vulnerable without reauthorization.
On the ground, county USDA services are slow, program deadlines become murky, lenders face planning uncertainty, and markets could see policy-driven volatility if Congress fails to reach a deal by January.
The simplest near-term path is a funding patch to reopen agencies while Farm Bill negotiators hammer out either a full bill or a clean extension.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Plan for uneven USDA service until funding is restored, and closely monitor Farm Bill talks, as avoiding Permanent Law before January 1 is the single biggest risk to markets and milk prices.
In a final rule published in the Federal Register, the Department states that it will no longer base wage rates on the Farm Labor Survey.
October 02, 2025 11:20 AM
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Farmers are in the midst of harvest as the government descends into a shutdown and the Farm Bill expires. Key federal departments, crop reporting, and aid programs important to the agricultural sector are now on hold.
October 02, 2025 10:54 AM
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Trump’s upcoming talks raise hopes for U.S. soybeans, but China’s record purchases from Brazil and Argentina show America’s market share remains under heavy pressure.
October 02, 2025 10:27 AM
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USDA’s report shows wheat strength overall, with winter wheat yields setting records, while spring wheat and rye saw declines. Oats and barley remain constrained by record-low acreage despite stable or rising yields.
October 01, 2025 04:24 PM
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Together, these markets highlight the diverse forces shaping industrial inputs and safe-haven assets.
October 01, 2025 04:15 PM
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Bigger-than-expected corn and wheat stocks are bearish for prices, while soybean figures were neutral. Farmers may face additional price pressure as harvest accelerates.
October 01, 2025 04:02 PM
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“MAKE SOYBEANS, AND OTHER ROW CROPS, GREAT AGAIN!”
October 01, 2025 02:53 PM
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“American soybean farmers—who are already reeling from your sweeping tariffs—deserve better.”
October 01, 2025 12:33 PM
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The shutdown is yet another hurdle for producers navigating a challenging year marked by high input costs, volatile markets, and uncertain trade conditions.
October 01, 2025 10:45 AM
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