Update: Farmer Bridge Assistance Payment Rates Announced
This post has been updated.
Last week, USDA announced payment rates for commodities eligible for the new $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program that was announced by the Trump administration in early December.
Corn will have a final payment rate of $44.36 per acre, USDA said. The rate is final and does not have a payment factor like the ECAP or SDRP programs.
The FBA Program will provide farmers with a bridge until benefits of the farm safety net improvements passed as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) take effect. Payments will be based on 2025 reported acres, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report.
Farmers will be able to fill out applications for the program through their local FSA offices. FSA will provide a pre-filled FBA application form to producers that will list the 2025 crop acreage and other relevant information. Producers will need to verify the information and sign the form. The forms should be available at FSA offices by the week of Feb. 23, and USDA will begin distributing payments the week of Feb. 28. The limit through the program will be $155,000 per eligible person or legal entity.
Farmers seeking more information on the program can contact their local FSA office.
Original post: Dec. 9, 2025
Farm Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program: An overview of the new program
Yesterday, President Trump and USDA Secretary Rollins announced the outline of a Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which aims to provide direct economic assistance to crop farmers amid challenging economic conditions across farm country including high input costs, persistent inflation, and trade related market disruptions. $11 billion from USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation has been allocated for the FBA Program and another $1 billion will be made available for specialty crops. The program is cast as bridge assistance until new trade agreements enter into force, and farm safety net improvements from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect.
Although payment rates for specific crops included in the program were not announced, farmers can expect to get more information after the crop reporting deadline of December 19. If you have not completed your 2025 acreage reporting with your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) or if you want to ensure the accuracy of previously submitted information, you have until 4pm CT on December 19 to do so.
After the reporting deadline, USDA will use a uniform formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2025 crop year. The national loss average is based on FSA reported planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production estimates, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates for yields and prices, and economic modeling.
Farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by February 28, 2026. It is important to note that this deadline could shift as program details are finalized. Payments made in 2026 will be subject to payment ($155,000 per person/legal entity) and Adjusted Gross Income ($900,000) limits and will be taxable income for 2026.
Unless you need to update or report your acreage information, there is no further action needed by farmers. As more details become available, we will be sure to share them with you.
More details and background information on the announcement yesterday is available here.
