Montana’s pulse producers received promising news this week with the passage of the U.S. Senate’s version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—a sweeping budget reconciliation package that includes several major provisions in support of agriculture. On Wednesday, USA Pulses CEO Tim McGreevy wrote its members informing them about the Senate’s 50-50 vote, with Vice President Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The legislation now returns to the House for final consideration.
For Montana farmers who grow dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas, the proposed legislation represents a potentially transformative boost, particularly in the form of updated safety net measures and targeted investments.
Key Benefits for Montana Pulse Growers
1. Boosted Reference Prices and Expanded Base Acres
The bill includes a 19 percent increase in Price Loss Coverage (PLC) reference prices for pulses. This change is especially helpful for Montana growers facing price volatility and offers a more accurate safety net. The expansion of base acres means newer pulse farmers—who have increased planting in recent years—can gain coverage that better reflects current land use.
2. Lower Crop Insurance Costs
The reconciliation package also improves crop insurance support, helping reduce out-of-pocket costs for revenue protections. These tools are critical for Montana growers managing the risks of drought, pests, and market swings.
3. More Support for Global Markets
With more than 80% of Montana’s pulse crops exported abroad, the doubling of funds for trade promotion through the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) programs will be vital in growing overseas demand.
4. Research That Matters to Montana
The bill calls for new investments in agricultural research facilities, including funding for pulse-specific research. With programs like the Pulse Crop Health Initiative (PCHI) based in places like ARS Fargo and linked to Montana-based research efforts, these funds will directly benefit innovation in health, nutrition, and soil resilience.
5. Favorable Tax Provisions
The legislation also preserves essential tax tools used by farmers across Montana, such as stepped-up basis, 199A deductions, and expensing options like Section 179 and bonus depreciation. These provisions help producers manage business transitions and reduce tax burdens during reinvestment in equipment or expansion.
A Unified Message from Growers
At a roundtable in Fargo hosted by Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Kevin Wolsky of the North Dakota Dry Pea and Lentil Council shared the pulse industry’s support for the reconciliation bill, highlighting the importance of international market growth, upgraded research facilities, and tax policy for producers.
These issues closely align with the concerns and priorities of Montana farmers. Many here have pushed for policy that reflects the evolving importance of pulse crops in our state’s agricultural economy—and this bill appears to deliver on those calls.
Looking Ahead
While the Senate’s version of the bill is a major step, the reconciliation package still requires House approval. Meanwhile, the agriculture community continues to call for a comprehensive bipartisan Farm Bill that extends long-term support for farming communities across the U.S.
The reconciliation bill, as McGreevy pointed out, is an important win—but it’s not the final chapter. Ongoing advocacy will be key, especially around issues like market access in India, the world’s largest consumer of pulse crops, and ensuring full funding for programs like PCHI in 2025 and beyond.
Montana farmers are urged to stay engaged, remain informed, and work together to secure lasting federal support for the pulse crop industry.
One More Thing
This moment is also a win for Montana’s Pulse Crop Checkoff Program. The money Montana pulse growers have invested through the checkoff program into organizations like USA Pulses and the Northern Pulse Growers Association has helped make this kind of national advocacy possible. It’s a direct example of how grower-led funding, paired with strategic leadership from MPCC, can shape federal policy that delivers meaningful benefits back to Montana farms. The relationships built, the priorities voiced, and the data shared over years of collaboration helped pave the way for this progress. Now, all that’s left is for the House to approve the bill and send it to the President’s desk.
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