The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced per-acre payment rates for eligible commodities under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), marking the next phase of a major farm support initiative that will distribute $12 billion to American farmers in 2026.
Announcing the decision on December 31, 2025, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said $11 billion of the total allocation will be disbursed as one-time payments under the FBA program, while the remaining $1 billion will be reserved for specialty crops and sugar. The payments are being made through the Commodity Credit Corporation.
The FBA program was announced last month by President Donald Trump to provide near-term financial relief to farmers facing high input costs, weak market conditions, and prolonged uncertainty in the farm economy. According to the USDA, eligible farmers can expect payments to be credited to their bank accounts by February 28, 2026.
“President Trump committed to increase certainty in the farm economy, and farmers can count on these payment rate calculations when going to the bank as they plan for the spring planting season. Putting Farmers First means delivering real relief when it matters,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins.
Per-acre payment rates announced
Under the program, payment rates have been finalized for a wide range of row crops that triggered assistance. Key rates include corn at $44.36 per acre, soybeans at $30.88, wheat at $39.35, cotton at $117.35, rice at $132.89, and peanuts at $55.65 per acre. Other eligible crops include barley, canola, chickpeas, sorghum, sunflower, oats, sesame, flax, lentils, mustard, peas, safflower, and peanuts, with rates varying based on cost and market conditions.
FBA payments will be calculated based on 2025 planted acreage, cost of production estimates from the Economic Research Service, and data from the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report. Double-cropped acres, including both initial and subsequently planted crops, are eligible for assistance, while prevent-plant acres are excluded.
All intended uses of row crops qualify for payments except grazing, volunteer stands, experimental plots, green manure crops, crops left standing or abandoned, and cover crops.
Support for specialty crops
Out of the $12 billion package, $1 billion has been earmarked for specialty crops and sugar. The USDA said timelines and payment structures for these segments are still being finalized, as they require further assessment of market impacts and economic needs.
The USDA said the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program is designed to provide short-term certainty and liquidity to farmers ahead of the 2026 planting season, while broader efforts continue to strengthen the farm safety net and expand market opportunities for US agricultural producers.