WICHITA, KAN. (RFD-TV) — USDA is preparing an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program to help farmers manage rising input costs during the 2026 crop year, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of one-time payments for producers.
Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) said he advocated relief after hearing directly from farmers about rising diesel costs and expects the payments to take a couple of months to reach producers.
“I wish I could give a timeline,” Marshall said. “I think it’ll be in the terms of a couple of months as opposed to a couple of weeks by the time it ends up in the farmer’s pocket.”
USDA announced the program October 19, with the Farm Service Agency administering payments based on a uniform formula intended to cover a portion of modeled losses. The formula will use planted acres reported to FSA, USDA cost-of-production estimates, and projected crop yields and prices. Commodity-specific payment rates for major program crops are expected in November.
Rising Diesel Costs Prompt Calls for Relief
In his interview with RFD-TV, Marshall said he became concerned about the financial strain on farmers after hearing from a Kansas producer who had recently filled the farm’s diesel tanks ahead of harvest.
He said the conversation prompted him to contact the president and the agriculture secretary to discuss possible relief.
Marshall said farmers are also dealing with difficult harvest conditions, including heavy rain in the northern third of Kansas that has delayed fieldwork in some areas.
He pointed to higher reference prices for fall crops and existing farm program payments as additional support for producers navigating the current financial environment.
Payments Will Take Time to Reach Farmers
Marshall said the process will take longer than a few weeks, although he did not provide a firm payment date.
He said producers could begin discussing anticipated assistance with their agricultural lenders as they work through operating loan decisions for the next crop year.
Marshall also suggested the new payments could amount to about three-fourths of what farmers received through the previous Farmer Bridge Assistance program. That was his estimate, not an announced USDA payment rate.
USDA has not yet announced the application period or final payment rates. Eligible producers are encouraged to establish a Login.gov account linked to USDA before applications open. Crop insurance participation will not be required for the Harvest Fuel Relief program.
Marshall Points to Longer-Term Cost Pressures
Marshall said the one-time payments are intended to provide near-term assistance, but farmers continue to face broader concerns involving fertilizer, fuel, commodity prices and trade.
He pointed to efforts to expand agricultural export markets, support biofuel demand and increase domestic fertilizer production as potential ways to improve farm economics over time.
Marshall also cited the need to reduce regulatory barriers to domestic fertilizer manufacturing and lessen reliance on overseas supplies.
His comments reflect his view that temporary payments should be paired with policies that support farm profitability and reduce exposure to volatile input markets.
Farm Bill Remains a Priority
Marshall said he also wants Congress to advance a new farm bill after the upcoming midterm elections.
The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its Farm Bill 2.0 proposal, the Agricultural Act of 2026, in September. The legislation still needs further action and negotiations to become law. Committee Chairman John Boozman has called for bipartisan, bicameral negotiations to move the package forward.
Marshall argued that the remaining obstacles are largely political and said he expects lawmakers to return to the process after the election.
He said the bill would give farmers greater certainty through its provisions involving farm safety-net programs and other agricultural priorities.
