Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 12/10/18

After reaching a bipartisan deal in November, House and Senate negotiators have kept the final legislation under wraps for nearly two weeks. We already know some of the broad strokes on major areas like commodities, conservation and nutrition: POLITICO Pro's Farm Bill Watch here can catch you up on the issues.

Timing: The conference report for the bill, H.R. 2 (115), is likely to drop by Tuesday, setting off a mad dash to pass the legislation before Friday. ABC's KCRG in Iowa reports that House Ag ranking member (and likely incoming chairman) Collin Peterson expects the House to vote Wednesday on the farm bill, followed by a Senate vote on Thursday.

Peterson told reporters in Minnesota last week that he thinks "almost all of the Democrats in the House are going to vote for this bill," per Red River Farm Network, which was on the scene.

Bump for dairy, loan rates: Peterson characterized the farm bill as "status quo," but he told reporters the deal includes a strengthened safety net for smaller dairy producers, a boost to USDA marketing loan rates, and significant increases in the limits on the department's direct and guaranteed loans for farmers.

As conferees unveil the bill, dairy is a space to watch: Peterson said an enhanced Margin Protection Program would make it more affordable for smaller dairy producers to purchase higher levels of protection against low milk prices, so they won't be able to lose money "unless you really try."

The GOP tally: It's unclear how many House Republicans will back the bill without stronger SNAP work requirements in the final compromise.

Dems reaction: Peterson, who ranks as the most conservative House Democrat, said the SNAP fight has made him a "hero" among his more liberal colleagues. "I go into the caucus and I get a standing ovation," he said.

Certain GOP negotiators "overplayed their hand" so much, Peterson said, that even some of the nutrition changes he supported, like tightening waivers for SNAP work requirements, were left out of the final deal.

Senate roadblocks? The Minnesota Democrat also said he worries some senators (he didn't name names) might hold up the farm bill over provisions that didn't make it into the final compromise. Sen. Chuck Grassley, for one, has loudly complained that the compromise doesn't rein in subsidies.

Hot take: "If people would have listened to Pat Roberts and I six months ago, this would have been done six months ago," Peterson said of the Senate Ag Chairman.

"Frankly, it's a damn miracle we got it done given all the controversy," he told the Red River Farm Network.