Oklahoma Farmers Face Uncertain Future as Farm Bill Splinters

Reconciliation bill provides some certainty, but leaves gaps in agriculture policy

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Oklahoma cotton grower Charlcey Plummer saw a record crop in 2025, but profited the least due to rising input costs. The federal Farm Bill, which has traditionally bundled together farm safety nets, conservation programs, nutrition assistance, and more, is now under strain as Congress struggles to renew it on schedule. Instead, major agricultural programs were enacted through the budget reconciliation bill H.R. 1, leaving the next Farm Bill narrower in scope.

Why it matters

The shift away from a comprehensive Farm Bill raises fundamental questions for producers, rural communities, and lawmakers. It's unclear if agriculture policy will now be addressed through a two-track system, with revenue and spending settled through budget legislation and everything else left to a 'skinny' Farm Bill. This could mean less predictability and flexibility for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers who depend on both to manage risk.

The details

H.R. 1 extended and expanded crop insurance, price loss coverage, disaster assistance, and other key programs over 10 years, providing some certainty. However, conservation, research, rural development, and regulatory issues must still be addressed through the regular Farm Bill process, requiring bipartisan support. Livestock groups warn that unresolved conflicts like California's Proposition 12 still need to be tackled.

  • In 2025, Charlcey Plummer's family operation grew its best cotton crop ever.
  • In June 2025, Rep. Frank Lucas noted two previous attempts to pass a comprehensive Farm Bill had failed.
  • In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld California's Proposition 12, establishing animal housing standards for pork, eggs, and veal.

The players

Charlcey Plummer

An Oklahoma cotton grower whose family operation has weathered trade disputes, drought, and rising input costs.

Rep. Frank Lucas

A 19-term Republican representative from Cheyenne, Oklahoma, and longtime member of the House Agriculture Committee.

Rep. Glenn 'GT' Thompson

The Republican chair of the House Agriculture Committee, who argued that H.R. 1 delivered long-sought updates to commodity programs and risk management tools.

Michael Kelsey

The executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association.

Oklahoma Policy Institute

A policy analysis organization that warned that shifting nutrition policy out of the Farm Bill weakens one of the few remaining bipartisan coalitions in Congress and places new fiscal pressure on states.

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What they’re saying

“In 2025, we grew the best cotton crop we've ever had, but then we profited the least amount we ever have.”

— Charlcey Plummer (yourokmulgee.com)

“Fortunately, most of what typically gets passed in a Farm Bill was included in the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill, like updating the commodity support programs. This puts us in a much better position as we look towards passing what's left in a 'Skinny Farm Bill.'”

— Rep. Frank Lucas, R-OK (yourokmulgee.com)

“There isn't a lot that we as a cattle industry will be working on in a smaller or 'skinny' Farm Bill. But that also reflects how much of the heavy lifting has already been done elsewhere.”

— Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President, Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association (yourokmulgee.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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