Agriculture policy analysts say 2026 could mark the end of the traditional five-year U.S. farm bill era, as lawmakers struggle to produce comprehensive legislation.
The most recent farm bill provisions expired in 2023 and Congress has extended them annually since, leaving perennial programs in limbo.
Experts say shifting political priorities and partisan divides have complicated efforts to craft a broad farm policy package that addresses commodity supports, conservation, nutrition and rural development.
Without a full farm bill, many programs are funded through short-term fixes, delaying long-term planning for producers.
Agriculture advocates warn that prolonged uncertainty could impact crop insurance, disaster assistance and trade programs.
Some lawmakers are calling for scaled-down legislation focusing on critical elements, while stakeholders stress the need for stability in federal agricultural policy.
