WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released per-acre payment rates for commodities eligible under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, a one-time federal aid effort set to distribute payments to farmers in early 2026.
USDA says the program will provide $12 billion in assistance, with $11 billion allocated for direct payments to eligible row-crop producers. Payments are based on 2025 planted acres, cost-of-production data from the USDA Economic Research Service, and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates. Payments are expected to be deposited by February 28, 2026.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins said eligible producers will receive pre-filled applications and that the payment structure is intended to provide certainty as farmers plan for the upcoming planting season.
Double-cropped acres are eligible for assistance, while prevent-plant acres are not. Crop insurance participation is not required to receive payments, though USDA encourages producers to consider available federal risk management options.
Eligible Commodities and 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
USDA said the remaining $1 billion in authorized funding is reserved for specialty crops and sugar producers. Payment timelines for those sectors are still under development.
More information on the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program is available through local USDA Farm Service Agency offices or online through USDA.
