USDA launches a $10 billion emergency aid program for farmers amid low prices

Money will soon be hitting accounts of farmers hurt by last year’s economy, as Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins has released $10 billion, with row crop farmers set to get the most relief.

“Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the Trump Administration is ensuring they get the support they need without delay. With clear direction from Congress, USDA has prioritized streamlining the process and accelerating these payments ahead of schedule, ensuring farmers have the resources necessary to manage rising expenses and secure financing for next season,” said Secretary Rollins.

They are part of the payments authorized by Congress late last year because there was no Farm Bill. Under the plan, the Farm Service Agency will give pre-filled applications to farmers, and they will use information from 2024 acreage reports.

Top payment rates are $43.91 for corn, $29.76 for soybeans, $30.69 for wheat, and $84.74 for cotton. Off the bat, farmers will get 85 percent of the payment they are owed in order to make sure there is enough money to go around. A second payment could come later in the summer.

Farmers do not have to wait for their pre-filled application to apply. They can contact their local FSA office to request an application, or they can click here!

Related Stories
The application deadline is March 8, 2026. The 1890 National Scholars Program aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences.
Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
Freight volatility increasingly determines export margins, making logistics costs as important as price in marketing decisions.
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
USDA flash corn sales, Cattle on Feed and Inventory reports, and beef packer antitrust concerns dominate January agricultural market news.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said permanent access to the higher ethanol blend would provide farmers with much-needed certainty while supporting domestic crop demand.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Richard Gupton of the Agricultural Retailers Association discusses the EPA’s new decision on over-the-top Dicamba and what it means for growers this year.
Gretchen Kuck of the National Corn Growers Association joined us to discuss the Ag Coalition for USMCA’s report findings and expectations ahead of the upcoming USMCA review.
Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance discusses the importance of grain bin safety and joint efforts with Nationwide to provide farmers and first responders with access to critical, life-saving rescue tubes.
RealAg Radio host Sean Haney outlines the Trump Administration’s current trade priorities and what meaningful market expansion looks like for farmers.
Dr. Kelly Bruns from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture discusses how the college prepares students for careers in agriculture.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.