Farmers across the country continue to face uncertainty as they await the finalization of a long-term Farm Bill. While the recently passed reconciliation package included temporary provisions aimed at supporting agriculture, it doesn’t offer the stability producers need to plan for the future. Many in the ag sector say the clock is ticking to get a comprehensive bill across the finish line.
Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says the reconciliation bill did include some much-needed wins for agriculture. Key updates included improvements to outdated reference prices and important tax provisions that support farm families.
Naig says those changes were necessary, but only scratch the surface of what’s needed. That’s why he’s continuing to push for what he calls a “Skinny Farm Bill” — a streamlined version that focuses on the core programs farmers rely on, like crop insurance, conservation support, and food assistance programs that serve vulnerable populations.
Naig also praised the updates made to the Capital Gains, or so-called “Death Tax,” provisions in the bill. While critics have framed the changes as a handout to the wealthy, Naig says they’re essential for keeping multi-generational family farms intact. Without these updates, many heirs would face tax burdens too steep to sustain the farm.
Naig is urging leaders in both parties to come together and finish the job by passing a full Farm Bill. He says farmers need certainty and can’t afford to keep waiting.
