$12 Billion in Bridge Payments On Way To Help Farmers

The Trump Administration has announced USDA will make $12 billion available in one-time bridge payments to American farmers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The bridge payments are intended in part to aid farmers until historic investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including reference prices which are set to increase between 10% to 21% for major covered commodities such as soybeans, corn, and wheat and will reach eligible farmers on Oct. 1, 2026.

Of the $12 billion provided, up to $11 billion will be used for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which provides broad relief to U.S. row crop farmers who produce Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed, Safflower, Sesame, and Sunflower. FBA will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports.

The remaining $1 billion of the $12 billion in bridge payments will be reserved for commodities not covered in the FBA Program such as specialty crops and sugar, for example, though details including timelines for those payments are still under development and require additional understanding of market impacts and economic needs.

Farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by Feb. 28, 2026. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5:00 pm ET on Dec.19, 2025.

To submit questions, justification for USDA farmer bridge aid, or to request a meeting on farmer bridge aid, producers can reach out to [email protected].

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What Some Agriculture Industry Associations Are Saying

Kasey Cronquist, President of the North American Blueberry Council, released the following statement in response to USDA’s announcement of the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program for row crop farmers and set-aside of $1 billion for a future program covering other commodities, including specialty crops.

“NABC appreciates the Trump administration’s continued recognition that American farmers are facing record-high production costs and dangerously tight financial margins. We also appreciate the administration’s commitment to conducting due diligence to ensure that specialty crop producers receive appropriate relief, and we look forward to continued engagement as the department evaluates how best to address the needs of blueberry farmers.”

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney said:

“NASDA thanks USDA, the Administration, and congressional agriculture leadership for their actions and support in bringing forward this much needed monetary relief for America’s row crop and specialty crop farmers. It comes at a crucial time. NASDA also calls on the Administration and Congress to work together on trade and policy solutions that ensure all farmers and ranchers can thrive, supporting our safe and affordable food, feed, fiber, and fuel supply. NASDA and its members are ready to assist our government leaders in this effort.”

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