Economic assistance headed to farmers in early 2026

The federal government on Monday announced $12 billion in one-time bridge payments for farmers who have faced challenges due to market disruptions and increased production costs. Farmers have been negatively impacted by new tariffs, low commodity prices and higher input costs for things such as seed, fertilizer and machinery.

“This aid package comes at a critical time for Texas farmers,” said Capital Farm Credit Chief Lending Officer Phil Peabody. “In many ways, agriculture is at a crossroads and farmers feel the squeeze. This package will help get farmers through until the brighter days of 2026 and beyond.”

According to the USDA news release, the Farmer Bridge Assistant Program will provide up to $11 billion for row crop farmers and will be disbursed by Feb. 28. This applies to farmers who produce barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, Crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame and sunflower.

Click here to find out the payment rates per crop.

Details and timelines are still being determined for the remaining $1 billion in payments, which will help with commodities not covered in the FBA Program, such as specialty crops and sugar.

The FBA Program applies simple, proportional support to producers using a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2025 crop year. USDA officials said the national loss average is based on FSA reported planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production estimates, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates yields and prices and economic modeling.

Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 4 p.m. Central Time on Dec. 19. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of the month.

The officials said crop insurance linkage is not required, but they urged producers to take advantage of new risk management tools that are part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to help protect against future price risk and volatility.

The USDA reported that over $30 billion in ad hoc assistance has been delivered to farmers since January. For more information, read USDA’s news release.

The $12 billion in farmer bridge payments, including those provided through the FBA Program, are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).