Last year’s extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire on Sept. 30, but legislators are still having trouble moving legislation forward to ensure farmer assistance can continue.

Two options have emerged as frontrunners: Re-up the extension with an ad hoc assistance package or pass a new Farm Bill. Both options have at least some support in Congress. However, neither has pulled ahead in legislative discussions. Some expect legislators to leverage the lame-duck session after the general election to make progress.

In the meantime, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack indicated to the press that the USDA will continue to support farmers while Congress works on a solution. A Farm Bill extension was not included in a recent stopgap funding bill that is expected to be voted on this week.

Read more on Farm Bill negotiations here.