The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the details of a $12 billion aid package aimed at providing relief to American farmers hit by a year of low crop prices, rising input costs, and trade disruptions. The aid is part of the newly established Farmer Bridge Assistance program, designed to support producers as they transition into the next planting season. Under the program, nearly $11 billion will go to one‑time per‑acre payments for growers of 19 covered row crops, with additional funds reserved for specialty crops and sugar producers. Per‑Acre Payments (Approximate):
- Rice: ~$132.89/acre — highest payment rate
- Cotton: ~$117.35/acre
- Oats: ~$81.75/acre
- Corn: ~$44.36/acre
- Wheat: ~$39.35/acre
- Soybeans: ~$30.88/acre — among the lowest support levels
While the package provides some financial support, soybean growers argue that the relatively low payment rate for soybeans will not sufficiently offset their losses, especially after major export markets like China sharply reduced purchases, diverting demand to South American suppliers. Many producers say the assistance serves as only a temporary “bridge” rather than a solution to deeper structural issues in farm markets. Critics, including the American Soybean Association, contend that the payment level for soybeans is insufficient to keep many operations financially solvent heading into the next growing season, particularly given ongoing trade challenges and farm cost pressures.
Eligibility for payments typically requires that a farmer’s adjusted gross income (AGI) is less than $900,000, and federal officials say producers should ensure their 2025 acreage reports are accurate before the deadline. Payments are expected to begin being issued by late February 2026. Farm advocates stress that while the aid can provide near‑term relief, longer‑term market access and pricing support will be crucial to ensuring the competitiveness and sustainability of U.S. soybean farming.
