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While margins and conditions remain tight, agriculture was given a step toward certainty last year with the One Big Beautiful Act. Overall, $65.6 billion from this aid package is projected to increase agriculture-focused spending over the next decade, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. The legislation included much-needed updates to reference prices, permanence and enhancements to critical tax provisions, support to domestic biofuel markets and investments in conservation, research and trade.

On the federal level, the bill included $54 billion in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) to reflect market realities, nearly $6 billion for enhanced crop insurance premium support, $1.25 billion invested in agricultural research at public land-grant universities and over $2 billion to support American producer access to essential export markets.

As far as tax provisions, the bill includes a nearly tripled estate tax exemption, a permanent increase to the 199A deduction, permanent bonus depreciation (expensing) extension and permanently lowered individual tax rate. 

Ohio Farm Bureau, in-line with American Farm Bureau advocacy efforts, pushed hard to ensure that these critical tax provisions were addressed and modernized before their 2025 expiration date and created a massive loss of generational family farms and agricultural businesses. 

What does it mean for Ohio agriculture?

The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture recently released an interactive map to break down how each state will potentially benefit from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Many of these programs are forthcoming and will help build momentum to a long-term fix of the farm economy. 

Ag wins specific to Ohio per USDA:

• ARC/PLC Safety Net Investment: $1 billion
• Voluntary Conservation Program Investment: $45.9 million
• Producer Savings on Crop Insurance: $131.3 million
• Ohio Family Farms Saved From the Death Tax (Estate Tax): 72,200
• Ohio will also benefit in other federal allocations for research and trade promotion

All of the legislative wins in OBBBA, along with the short-term aid of the Farm Bridge Assistance Program, will prevent many Ohio farm farms from closing their doors this year. Looking ahead, however, farmers still face record-low crop prices, nearly record-high input costs, market uncertainty and other farm bill programs that have not modernized since 2018. 

“If we want agriculture to thrive, and finally get farmers profitable again, we need our state and federal leaders to bring long-term certainties. Our families, our communities and our nation’s food security depend on it,” said Adam Sharp, executive vice president for Ohio Farm Bureau.