It was the hope of most aggies late last year that the farm bill would be passed out of the House Agriculture Committee this month with floor time scheduled in March, which would pave the way for Senate consideration later in the spring. However, it currently seems very unlikely that the committee will pass a bill this month as the timing is unsure for Congress to complete action on a budget. The continuing resolution (CR) extending the deadline for federal spending authority or adopting a new appropriations plan for the rest of FY 2018 expires 19 January, but the odds are favorable that another stopgap will be passed. Whether a temporary extension or a final bill, whatever passes would be the fourth spending plan approved in five months...