The US Department of Agriculture's Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program announced $12 billion in aid for US farmers this past December, with payments expected starting February 28, 2026. The one-time payments under the program are intended to help producers offset high input costs and respond to disruptions in the market. Funding under the program aims to act as a "bridge" between relief needed by farmers now and additional, longer-term economic support anticipated after the next federal fiscal year begins in October 2026.

$11 billion of the current package will be allocated to row crops including towards the corn, soybean, and wheat commodities grown in our Southwestern New York region. Of that $11B, New York State is projected to receive $58M total in assistance payments. An additional $1 billion nationwide will go to specialty crops and sugar, with details of the specialty crop assistance program being released later this year.

To be eligible for funding for row crop assistance, you need to have submitted your 2025 acreage report to the USDA by December 19, 2025. Payment rates by eligible crop were released December 31, 2025, with corn at $44.36 per acre, soybeans at $30.88 per acre, and wheat at $39.35 per acre. For additional rates, refer to the USDA's December 31, 2025, press release citing payment rates for all eligible row crop commodities. Rates were determined using national data for total acres planted in 2025, cost of production data from the Economic Research Service, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report for yield and price projections. Eligibility excluded acreage planted for grazing, volunteer plant stands, experimental plots, green manure, and cover crops.

Crop insurance coverage is not required for FBA eligibility, but the UDSA recommends that producers look into federal crop insurance changes made under recent legislation. For example, the USDA expanded their definition of beginning farmer and rancher from five to 10 years of experience. Under the new expansion, those who qualify as beginning farmers and ranchers will receive an additional 5% premium subsidy rate for the first two crop years on top of the current 10% premium.

In addition to the FBA Program, last year the USDA announced 1) the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) for 2023 and 2024 weather-related losses with signup for some sates of relief open through April 30, 2026; and 2) emergency low-interest loans for physical losses from natural disasters in specific counties including Allegany, Chautauqua, and Erie.

While the aid under the FBA Program is expected to help farmers prepare for the next planting season, general reception by farmers and agricultural economists of the program, especially for soybeans, is that the payments fall short of the significant economic losses that U.S. farmers have experienced and that markets need more substantial structural overhaul.

For questions or more information contact Kate McDonald Polakiewicz, kem348@cornell.edu, or contact your local USDA Service Center / FSA office using the farmers.gov service locator.

References

USDA Announces Commodity Payment Rates for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program

USDA details $12 billion farm aid package favoring rice, cotton; soy farmers warn of strain

MGR-25-006: One Big Beautiful Bill Act Amendment