By Blake Jackson
The Missouri Corn Growers Association (MCGA) is expressing strong support for Congress following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes several critical provisions for agriculture.
This budget reconciliation package passed the U.S. Senate on July 1 and has now cleared the House. It awaits the president’s expected signature. The bill contains several MCGA-supported policies that offer much-needed certainty for corn farmers in the 2025 crop year and beyond.
"We needed Congress to step up with policies that protect farmers' ability to stay in business. We've been working hard for several years to secure improvements to the farm safety net, expand global markets, and extend tax tools that are essential to our operations," said MCGA President Matt Lambert of Laclede, Mo.
"While this isn't the comprehensive farm bill we envisioned, these measures still deliver real benefits for Missouri corn farmers in today's challenging environment."
Among the key wins, noted by the MCGA, are:
- Enhanced Producer Safety Net: The legislation makes targeted improvements to the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, aligning them more closely with current economic conditions and providing better safeguards during market disruptions.
- Broader Crop Insurance Options: By making crop insurance more accessible and affordable, the bill helps corn growers better manage unpredictable weather and market risks.
- Market Development Boost: The bill doubles funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program, aiding long-term international promotion of corn, ethanol, and distillers’ dried grains (DDGS).
- Tax Provision Extensions: The bill permanently extends key tax tools, including the expanded estate tax exemption, higher Section 179 expensing limits, and 100% bonus depreciation providing vital investment certainty for farm families.
- Biofuels and Clean Fuel Credit: Continued support for biofuels and the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit is included, though MCGA is pushing for improvements to fully recognize corn growers’ contributions, especially in sustainable aviation fuel.
“We thank the members of Missouri's delegation who stood up for Missouri corn farmers and their families and fought to ensure these important measures were included in the final bill,” Lambert says. “MCGA has been at the table every step of the way, pushing for practical policies that protect our farms, our families, and the future of rural America.”
Photo Credit: missouri-corn
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Corn, Government & Policy