Analysis of Previous Farm Bills

Historical Overviews

• The 20th Century Transformation of U.S. Agriculture and Farm Policy , June 2005
• "Milestones in U.S. Farming and Farm Policy," Amber Waves, June 2005
• U.S. Farm Policy: The First 200 Years, March 2000
• A Short History of U.S. Agricultural Trade Negotiations , August 1989
• Program Provisions for Program Crops: A Database for 1961-90 , March 1990
• Program Provisions for Rye, Dry Edible Beans, Oil Crops, Tobacco, Sugar, Honey, Wool, Mohair, Gum Naval Stores, and Dairy Products: A Database for 1961-90 , June 1991
• History of Agricultural Price-Support and Adjustment Programs, 1933-84 , December 1984
• Possible Economic Consequences of Reverting to Permanent Legislation or Eliminating Price and Income Supports , January 1985
• An Initial Assessment of the Payment-in-Kind Program , April 1983

2014 Farm Bill

• 2014 Farm Bill: Overview, ERS webpage 
• Potential Variability in Commodity Support: Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs , August 2019
• Federal Risk Management Tools for Agricultural Producers: An Overview, June 2018 
• Federal Natural Disaster Assistance Programs for Livestock Producers, 2008–2016, January 2018 
• Changes to the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program Under the Agricultural Act of 2014: Their Potential Risk Reduction Impacts, May 2017  
• Managing Agricultural Risk Under Different Scenarios: Selected 2014 Farm Act Programs, Amber Wave, February 2017
• Federal Crop Insurance Options for Upland Cotton Farmers and Their Revenue Effects, October 2016 
• The Effects of the Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers , September 2016
• Agriculture Risk Coverage Program Proves More Popular than the Supplemental Coverage Option, Amber Waves, January 2016
• The 2014 Farm Act Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage, and Supplemental Coverage Option Programs' Effects on Crop Revenue, January 2016 
• 2014 Farm Act Shifts Crop Commodity Programs Away from Fixed Payments and Expands Program Choices, Amber Waves, July 2014

2008 Farm Bill

• Commodity Backgrounders, Special Outlook Reports, 2005-07
  • Cotton Backgrounder
  • Dairy Backgrounder
  • Fruit and Vegetable Backgrounder
  • Feed Grains Backgrounder
  • Peanut Backgrounder
  • Rice Backgrounder
  • Soybean Backgrounder
  • Sugar Backgrounder
  • Wheat Backgrounder

2002 Farm Bill

• The 2002 Farm Bill: Provisions and Economic Implications , ERS web feature, May 2002
• Recommendations of the Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture, April 2001
• U.S. Farm Policy for the 21st Century: A Diversity of Visions for the Future, May 2001
• Commodity Backgrounders, Staff Reports, 2001
  • Feed Grains: Background and Issues for Farm Legislation
  • Wheat: Background and Issues for Farm Legislation
  • Cotton: Background and Issues for Farm Legislation
  • Rice: Background and Issues for Farm Legislation
  • Soybeans: Background and Issues for Farm Legislation

1996 Farm Bill

• Provisions of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 , September 1996
• Provisions of the 1996 Farm Bill, April 1996
• Commodity Backgrounders, Agricultural Economic Reports, 1995
  • Feed Grains: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Wheat: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Cotton: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Rice: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Oilseeds: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Sugar: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Dairy: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Tobacco: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Honey: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Agricultural Export Programs: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation
  • Federal Marketing Orders and Federal Research and Promotion Programs: Background for 1995 Farm Legislation

1990 Farm Bill

• Provisions of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 , June 1991
• Commodity Backgrounders, Staff Reports, 1990
  • Corn: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Sorghum: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Barley: Background For 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Oats: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Wheat: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Fibers: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Rice: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Soybeans and Peanuts: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Sugar: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Dairy: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Tobacco Background for 1990 Farm Legislation
  • Agricultural Export Programs: Background for 1990 Farm Legislation

1985 Farm Bill

• Provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 , April 1986
• Agricultural-Food Policy Review: Commodity Program Perspectives , July 1985

1981 Farm Bill

• Provisions of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 , January 1982
• Agricultural-Food Policy Review: Perspectives for the 1980s, April 1981

1977 Farm Bill

• Commodity Program Provisions Under the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 , October 1977

Historical Farm Bills and Congressional Research Service Reports

University of Arkansas, National Agricultural Law Center: Farm Bills.

• Full text and resources for all U.S. farm bills and related legislation from 1933 to the present, as well as Congressional Research Service farm policy reports.