A bill few thought would pass-the 800-page One Big Beautiful Bill-has now landed on President Trump's desk. While headlines focus on tax cuts and social program disputes, the biggest under-the-radar winner may be the U.S. agriculture sector.

The bill, supported by almost all Republicans and praised by major ag groups, injects a record $66 billion into farm programs, enhancing the current safety net like no legislation has since 2002.

According to Farm CPA Paul Neiffer, a crucial detail is a shift in payment calculation: farmers will now receive the higher of ARC or PLC for the 2025 crop, a mechanism that could significantly boost farm income when market prices fall below production costs.

Neiffer's per-acre PLC projections include:

• Corn: $22.52/acre

• Soybeans: $42.46/acre

  

• Wheat: $32.77/acre

• Sorghum: $9.90/acre

• Cotton: $93.05/acre

  

While individual yields vary, Neiffer used national averages to highlight the impact. Based on current June MYA prices, PLC payments could total $2.6 billion-a floor-level payout under the new policy.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA), National Cotton Council (NCC), and American Farm Bureau all hailed the measure. NCBA emphasized eliminating the Death Tax, tax relief for small producers, and investments in foreign animal disease prevention.

NCC's Gary Adams stressed the timing: "This is the third consecutive year farmers face prices below costs. The higher reference prices in this bill apply now and will help offset the gap."

The law also keeps a $155,000 cap on ARC and PLC payments, but expands eligibility by treating LLCs and S corps like partnerships-a long-demanded change by family operations.

As President Trump prepares to sign the bill at a celebratory Iowa State Fairgrounds rally, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins will accompany him, expected to share "great news for Iowa farmers."

As the industry looks ahead to harvest, the message is clear: the farm safety net just got a historic upgrade-even if it took a tax bill to make it happen.