The US Department of Agriculture is providing $12 billion to ag producers as part of a significant relief package announced Monday.
The USDA says there will be one-time “bridge payments” to offset temporary trade market issues and increased production costs, saying those issues were a direct result of ag policies from the Biden administration as opposed to tariff impacts after China and other partner countries began either adjusting their imports from US farmers or largely ended them earlier this year. President Trump says this should bring short-term peace of mind to farmers.
Up to $11 billion is directly from the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which USDA says is designed to address markets, input costs, inflation and market losses by essentially using a formula to offer proportional support and cover some of the modeled losses during the 2025 crop year. The remaining $1 billion will be set aside for commodities and products not covered in the FBA program.
Eligible farmers can expect payments to be released by the end of February. They should also make sure their 2025 acreage reports are accurate by the close of business Dec. 19.
The USDA says the new relief package will be in place until “historic” investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill budget reconciliation bill passed earlier this year.
Ag producers who have questions, want to submit justification for the FBA program or want to set up a meeting can email farmerbridge@usda.gov. Click here for the USDA statement.
