Weekly Column: The One Big Beautiful Bill Backs Idaho Farmers And Ranchers

"When tillage begins other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization." Daniel Webster’s 1840 quote above a doorway on the first floor of the U.S. Capitol is a reminder of agriculture producers’ central role in the foundation of our great country.

Idaho agriculture’s fundamental role in our communities is clear. Agribusinesses are the largest contributors to Idaho’s economy, accounting for 20 percent of Idaho’s gross state product, as they work steadily to feed Idaho families and a growing world population. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) includes a number of provisions that will help Idaho farm families continue to produce abundantly with more certainty about federal tax and agricultural policy affecting their operations.

First, the tax section of the OBBBA that I worked as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee to help craft would better enable farm families to plan for the future and pass their farms onto future generations. Idaho family farmers, ranchers and entrepreneurs often work lifetimes to grow their businesses. The death tax can be a devastating blow to families who want to pass down their farm or small business to the next generation. The OBBBA rightly increases and makes permanent the doubled death tax exemption, and indexes it for inflation, ensuring the government is not forcing land sales or intervening in family-owned businesses.

The law also permanently provides for 100 percent bonus depreciation in addition to increasing small business expensing, allowing farmers and ranchers in Idaho to immediately deduct the full cost of farm equipment, machinery and vehicles. The law makes permanent the small-business deduction—claimed by over 200,000 Idaho business owners—including family farms and ranches. Additionally, the law locks in and boosts the standard deduction to $31,500 for families, providing more than $200 billion in new tax relief to the nearly 90 percent of taxpayers who claim it. These provisions are in addition to the 2017 Trump tax rates that are now permanent, giving families and businesses the certainty they need to plan, save and invest in the future.

Beyond federal tax policy, the OBBBA extends the farm safety net. This is a key achievement, as lawmakers work to reauthorize the Farm Bill and many of its programs that have continued under temporary extensions. Through the OBBBA, the sugar program is extended through 2031, and the provision prioritizes beet sugar processors—key to Idaho—during allotment reallocations. Dairy Margin Coverage is also extended through 2031. The law supports investments in agriculture research and conservation programs. Conservation program incentives, rather than mandates, are the best way to achieve environmental results on private land and contribute more to enhancing our environment than any other policy. Additionally, the law supports agriculture trade opportunities, critical for Idaho’s produce, grains, meats, dairy and seeds that are sold worldwide. Commodity programs are reauthorized through 2031, and reference prices are raised to more closely reflect market conditions. Crop insurance is strengthened, including an extension of coverage for beginning farmers and ranchers.

Farmers and ranchers face many uncertainties, including the weather, fluctuating market conditions, sustainable labor, diet changes and more. Ensuring the long-term stability of federal policy affecting farm communities is key to reducing uncertainty. The OBBBA provides extensive tools to help these founders and strengtheners of human civilization continue to build our communities and grow our economy.

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