2025’s ag laws, no spin. American Farm Burueau Federation Economist, Daniel Munch, breaks down what the American Relief Act and HR1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill”) actually changed for farmers, ranchers, and timberland owners: disaster aid, tax relief, ARC/PLC extensions, conservation through 2031, disease‑readiness funding—and what Washington still hasn’t fixed.

Why these passed: must‑pass funding + reconciliation math, not kumbaya.

Core programs extended to 2031: ARC/PLC, Dairy Margin Coverage; EQIP/CSP/ACEP funded forward.

CRP: not extended in HR1; needs separate action (a “skinny” farm bill or stand‑alone).

Disaster money: ~$30B total in the Relief Act (≈$10B economic aid to row‑crops; ≈$20B disasters). Helpful, not enough to backfill multi‑year crop, livestock, timber, and infrastructure losses.

Drought trigger fixed: LFP now four consecutive weeks of qualifying drought (down from eight).

Rancher win: LIP now 100% compensation for federally protected predator kills (wolves/grizzlies).

State block grants: Flexibility for hard‑hit states (e.g., hurricane zones) that can include timber.

Taxes you can actually use: Estate tax exemption permanent at $15M / $30M couple; 199A stays; bonus depreciation back; Section 179 expensing up to $2.5M for equipment and capital improvements (barns, fencing, irrigation).

Clean fuel credits (45Z): benefits risk getting stuck at processors unless contracts force value back to growers.

Disease readiness: $233M/year mandated for stockpiles, diagnostics, training—real money to keep herds healthy.

Market context: Land values up but margins down; these programs support lender confidence but don’t erase price pressure.

Foreign land ownership: Data/reporting gaps are real; enforcement and look‑through need teeth; private‑property rights vs. national‑security concerns.

Why SNAP stays in the farm bill: urban votes keep farm programs alive. No SNAP = no votes = no farm bill.

American Farm Bureau Federation

https://www.fb.org/

One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Final Agricultural Provisions, by Daniel Munch

https://www.fb.org/market-intel/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-final-agricultural-provisions 

National Land Realty

Buy, Sell, Lease, or Auction Land

https://www.nationalland.com