WASHINGTON — Disagreements over a program to help dairy producers when milk prices drop have emerged as a major sticking point in negotiations on a new farm bill, which had been expected to be wrapped up this week. But lawmakers appear to have reached an agreement on cuts to the food stamp program, which is part of the farm bill and had been the most contentious issue in efforts to pass the legislation.

People close to the negotiations said Thursday that a deal had been reached to cut about $9 billion over 10 years from the food stamp program, formally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The cuts are more than twice the $4 billion approved by the Democratic-led Senate in May, but far less than the nearly $40 billion in cuts passed by the Republican-controlled House in its bill.

The food stamp issue was expected to be the major stumbling block in the farm bill negotiations, but long-simmering debates over the best way to help dairy farmers when prices drop have come to the forefront.

Speaker John A. Boehner has voiced opposition to the dairy program and has said he will not allow it to be part of a final House bill.