WASHINGTON, D.C. – The government shutdown is getting attention, but farmers and ranchers in South Dakota also wonder where things stand with agriculture programs now that the Farm Bill has expired. With federal lawmakers locked in a budget stalemate, the current Farm Bill ended September 30th.
Often updated every five years, the sprawling package had been running on shorter extensions since 2023. Without new action, some critical programs will continue, but others are paused.
Michael Happ of the Midwest-based Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy says Congress should know farmers and ranchers are operating under a much different model than 2018, the last time a Farm Bill passed.
Economists say tariffs were felt during President Donald Trump’s first term – but now, global customers like China are buying commodities from other nations. Happ says even for programs designed to continue when there is no Farm Bill, the government shutdown means key staffers might not be available.
The Institute is voicing concerns about specific services being unable to function, including conservation, research and supporting clean energy on farms. Happ also fears an erosion of trust.
This summer’s major tax-cut-and-spending bill pushed through by Republicans did include provisions meant to boost the farm safety net. But skeptics say any benefits won’t surface until well into 2026, as many farmers worry about bankruptcy. They don’t think those provisions go far enough, and warn that cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP will offset gains for rural economies.