WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released per-acre payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, confirming how $11 billion in one-time aid will flow to eligible crop producers in early 2026. Payments are tied to 2025 planted acres and are designed to provide near-term cash flow relief as producers prepare for spring planting after several years of tight margins and elevated input costs.
Under the program, qualifying farmers can expect pre-filled applications and direct payments by late February. Rates vary widely by crop, reflecting differences in production costs and recent market conditions. Corn acres qualify for $44.36 per acre, soybeans $30.88, wheat $39.35, and sorghum $48.11. Cotton and rice receive the highest rates at $117.35 and $132.89 per acre, respectively, while peanuts qualify for $55.65 per acre. A range of other row crops — including barley, oats, sunflowers, pulses, and oilseeds — are also eligible.
Payments are based on planted acres, not harvested production. Double-cropped acres qualify, but prevent-plant acres do not. Most intended row-crop uses are eligible, excluding grazing, abandoned crops, cover crops, and similar uses. Crop insurance participation is not required, though USDA continues to encourage enrollment as part of broader risk-management planning.
Beyond row crops, up to $1 billion of the total assistance package is reserved for specialty crops and sugar, with details still under development. USDA says additional guidance will follow as market impacts are evaluated.
Eligible Row Crop Commodities and Payment Rates:
Below are the payment rates for the FBA-eligible commodities that triggered a payment.
Commodity, Per Acre Payment Rates:
- Barley: $20.51
- Canola: $23.57
- Chickpeas (Large): $26.46
- Chickpeas (Small): $33.36
- Corn: $44.36
- Cotton: $117.35
- Flax: $8.05
- Lentils: $23.98
- Mustard: $23.21
- Oats: $81.75
- Peanuts: $55.65
- Peas: $19.60
- Rice: $132.89
- Safflower: $24.86
- Sesame: $13.68
- Sorghum: $48.11
- Soybeans: $30.88
- Sunflower: $17.32
- Wheat: $39.35
Eligibility, Program Applications, and Crop Insurance Linkage
FBA payments are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report. Double crop acres, including all initial and subsequently planted crops, are eligible. Prevent plant acres are not eligible.
All intended row crop uses are eligible for FBA except grazing, volunteer stands, experimental, green manure, crops left standing and abandoned or cover crops.
Crop insurance linkage is not required; however, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new risk management tools provided for in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) to best protect against future price risk and volatility. The OBBBA federal crop insurance improvements include expanding benefits for beginning farmers and ranchers, increasing coverage options, and making crop insurance more affordable.
Specialty Crop Assistance
Of the $12 billion being provided by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, up to $11 billion is being directed to eligible row crop producers and the remaining $1 billion of the $12 billion in assistance is reserved for specialty crops and sugar. Timelines for payments to producers of these crops are still under development and require additional understanding of market impacts and economic needs. Producers, including specialty crop producers and stakeholder groups, can submit questions to [email protected].
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].
