USDA bridge payments focus on row crops, specialty crop timeline still uncertain

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced the next phase of the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA), including the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. Through the program, $12 billion will be paid to U.S. farmers in 2026. Timelines for payments to specialty crop producers are still under development and require more analysis of market impacts and economic needs, according to USDA. Producers with questions can email farmerbridge@usda.gov. USDA also noted that, of the $12 billion provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, up to $11 billion is earmarked for eligible row-crop producers. The remaining $1 billion is reserved for specialty crops and sugar.

Per-acre payment rates

USDA released the following per-acre payment rates for eligible commodities that triggered payments. Rice ($132.89), cotton ($117.35), oats ($81.75), peanuts ($55.65), sorghum ($48.11) and corn ($44.36) received the highest per-acre 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 information

FBA payments are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost-of-production data and World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE). Double-crop acres — including all initial and subsequently planted crops — are eligible. Prevent-plant acres are not eligible.