Senator John Thune Highlights Farmer and Rancher Support in "Big Beautiful Bill"

Support for Farmers and Ranchers

• 🎯 The "Big Beautiful Bill" aims to address challenges faced by American farmers and ranchers, including higher input costs, interest rates, disease, and natural disasters.
• 💡 The bill introduces lasting reforms to strengthen American agriculture, moving beyond short-term fixes.

Farm Safety Net Enhancements

• 🌾 Commodity programs are reauthorized through 2031 with raised reference prices to better reflect market conditions and input costs.
• 📊 A voluntary base acre update makes 30 million acres available, basing programs on current planted acres.
• 📈 Crop insurance is bolstered, with extended support for beginning farmers from five to ten years of operation.

Livestock and Disease Prevention

• 🐄 The livestock indemnity program is improved to cover 100% of losses from predation and 75% from weather or disease, with supplemental payments for unborn livestock.
• 🏜️ Drought triggers for the livestock forage disaster program are reduced to four consecutive weeks, with continued payments if drought persists.
• 🦠 Critical investments are made in disease prevention and preparedness for threats like bird flu, screwworm, and African swine fever.

Broader Agricultural Investments

• 🥛 The dairy margin coverage program is strengthened, and support for honeybee producers is improved.
• 🌳 Conservation programs supporting wildlife habitats and research at agricultural institutions are funded.
• 🌍 Trade opportunities for agricultural commodities are promoted.

Tax Relief and Estate Planning

• 💰 Farmers and ranchers will benefit from individual and small business tax relief, including permanent lower tax rates, increased standard deduction, and a bonus deduction for seniors.
• 🧑‍💼 The 199A small business deduction and permanent full expensing for new equipment will free up cash for investments.
• 🏡 The death tax threshold is raised, protecting more family farms and ranches from estate taxes and simplifying succession planning for future generations.