Payment rates, timeline progressing on $12 billion farmer aid package

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by Roby Brock ([email protected]) ago 0 views 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture provided new guidance on the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), a $12 billion aid package announced in early December to help farmers reeling from low commodity prices and tariff pressures.

The bridge payments are intended in part to aid farmers until investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including reference prices which are set to increase between 10% and 21% for major covered commodities such as soybeans, corn, and wheat, reach eligible farmers on Oct. 1, 2026.

Timelines for payments to producers of these crops are still under development, but USDA leaders said farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments in their bank accounts by February 28, 2026.

“This represents an important step by USDA delivering critical short-term funding to family farmers facing multiple years of rising input costs, economic uncertainty and market disruptions,” said U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

“These bridge payments will help producers manage financial pressures until farm safety net enhancements approved in the One Big Beautiful Bill are realized in the fall. I look forward to returning to Washington next week and working with my colleagues to ensure our producers have the resources they need to keep farming,” he added.

FBA payments are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report. Double crop acres, including all initial and subsequently planted crops, are eligible. Prevent plant acres are not eligible.

All intended row crop uses are eligible for FBA except grazing, volunteer stands, experimental, green manure, crops left standing and abandoned or cover crops.

Crop insurance linkage is not required; however, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new risk management tools provided for in the OBBBA to best protect against future price risk and volatility.

Of the $12 billion being provided by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, up to $11 billion is being directed to eligible row crop producers and the remaining $1 billion of the $12 billion in assistance is reserved for specialty crops and sugar.

Below are the payment rates for the FBA eligible commodities that triggered a payment.

Commodity, Per Acre Payment Rates
• Barley: $20.51
• Canola: $23.57
• Chickpeas (Large): $26.46
• Chickpeas (Small): $33.36
• Corn: $44.36
• Cotton: $117.35
• Flax: $8.05
• Lentils: $23.98
• Mustard: $23.21
• Oats: $81.75
• Peanuts: $55.65
• Peas: $19.60
• Rice: $132.89
• Safflower: $24.86
• Sesame: $13.68
• Sorghum: $48.11
• Soybeans: $30.88
• Sunflower: $17.32
• Wheat: $39.35

Producers, including specialty crop producers and stakeholder groups, can submit questions to [email protected]. More information is also available online at www.fsa.usda.gov/fba or you can contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency county office.