Continuing Resolution Provides Some Stability for Agriculture

Over the past weekend, President Donald Trump signed a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through September 30. While the measure represents a broad effort to maintain government operations, there are key provisions within it that directly impact agriculture.

According to an update from the California Cattlemen’s Association, the CR extends the 2018 Farm Bill and allocates $15 million for USDA to provide electronic identification tags to states at no cost to producers. It also prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring greenhouse gas emissions reporting for livestock operations and blocks the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service from listing the Greater Sage Grouse under the Endangered Species Act.

Additionally, the resolution maintains the livestock hauler exemption from electronic logging device mandates, helping ease transportation challenges for producers. It also extends Livestock Mandatory Reporting and the Cattle Contracts Library pilot program, ensuring continued market transparency.

Still a lot of unknowns, obviously, but these provisions at least providing some stability and regulatory certainty for farmers and ranchers as they navigate the months ahead.