Nebraska farmers and ranchers are trying to figure out what help they can expect from the federal government after Congress failed to extend the farm bill.

Many people involved in agriculture expect Congress to pass some kind of farm bill during the lame-duck session after the elections.

Several key programs in the bill expire at the end of the year. University of Nebraska-Lincoln farm policy expert Brad Lubben says it’s unlikely lawmakers would want to let the law expire because some programs, such as support for dairies, would revert to 1949 law and the provisions would be costly.

Even though the federal fiscal year ends Sept. 30, most federal programs and jobs tied to the farm bill will continue as before.