The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is studying how to operate between farm bills after a House and Senate conference committee failed to produce a compromise measure by the Sept. 30 deadline, Bill Northey, USDA under secretary for farm production and conservation, said last week.

The USDA has carryover capabilities for most farm bill programs, Northey said. Crop insurance is permanently authorized, and commodity programs continue through their marketing year.

However, conservation programs will be impacted, with no new contracts enrolled in ...