Trump
Administration Announces $12 Billion Farmer Bridge Payments for American
FarmersImpacted
by Unfair Market Disruptions USDA December 8, 2025
(Washington,
D.C., December 8, 2025) – President Donald J. Trump alongside U.S.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
Scott Bessent, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (AR), Senator
Deb Fischer (NE), Senator John Hoeven (ND), Representative Austin Scott (GA),
and farmers from Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania,
Ohio, and Texas today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will
make $12 billion available in one time bridge payments to American farmers in
response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs
that are still impacting farmers following four years of disastrous Biden
Administration policies that resulted in record high input prices and zero new
trade deals. These bridge payments are intended in part to aid farmers until
historic investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including
reference prices which are set to increase between 10-21% for major covered
commodities such as soybeans, corn, and wheat and will reach eligible farmers
on October 1, 2026.
Of
the $12 billion provided, up to $11 billion will be used for the Farmer Bridge
Assistance (FBA) Program, which provides broad relief to United States row crop
farmers who produce Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts,
Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed,
Safflower, Sesame, and Sunflower. FBA will help address market disruptions,
elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign
competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. The FBA
Program applies simple, proportional support to producers using a uniform
formula to cover a portion of modeled losses during the 2025 crop year. This
national loss average is based on FSA reported planted acres, Economic Research
Service cost of production estimates, World Agricultural Supply and Demand
Estimates yields and prices and economic modeling.
Farmers
who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by February
28, 2026. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is
factual and accurate by 5pm ET on December 19, 2025. Commodity-specific payment
rates will be released by the end of the month. Crop insurance linkage will not
be required for the FBA Program; however, USDA strongly urges producers to take
advantage of the new OBBBA risk management tools to best protect against price
risk and volatility in the future.
The
remaining $1 billion of the $12 billion in bridge payments will be reserved for
commodities not covered in the FBA Program such as specialty crops and sugar,
for example, though details including timelines for those payments are still
under development and require additional understanding of market impacts and
economic needs.
The
$12 billion in farmer bridge payments, including those provided through the FBA
Program, are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter
Act and will be administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
To
submit questions, justification for USDA farmer bridge aid, or to request a
meeting on farmer bridge aid, producers can reach out to farmerbridge@usda.gov.
“Four
years under the failed Biden Administration continues to leave the American
farm economy reeling from record inflation, a depleted farm safety net, and
delayed disaster assistance. The lack of new trade deals under the last
Administration turned a trade surplus under Trump into a $50 billion trade
deficit, causing our farmers to lose markets and feel acute pain from lower
commodity prices. President Trump will not let our farmers be left behind, so
he directed our team to build a bridge program to see quick relief while the
President’s dozens of new trade deals and new market access take
effect,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins.
“The
plan we are announcing today ensures American farmers can continue to plan for
the next crop year. It is imperative we do what it takes to help our farmers,
because if we cannot feed ourselves, we will no longer have a country. With
this program serving as a bridge to the improvements President Trump and
Republicans in Congress have made, it will allow farmers to leverage
strengthened price protection risk management tools and the reliability of fair
trade deals so they do not have to depend on large ad hoc assistance packages
from the government.”
Additional
Farmer First Actions Taken by the Trump Administration
In
addition to $12 billion in bridge payments announced today, the Trump
Administration has been working around the clock since January 20th to put
American farmers first after inheriting one of the worst farm economies the
country has experienced in decades. The following actions have been taken to
date and together show historic investments and bold and unrelenting dedication
to helping our nation’s farmers thrive again.
Over
$30 Billion in Ad Hoc Assistance Delivered to Farmers Since January 2025
Emergency
Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) is helping
farmers recover from the economic hardships of 2024. This program distributed
more than $9.3 billion to over 560,000 farmers for soy, corn, sorghum, and
other row crops.
Marketing
Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) is helping
specialty crop producers recover from rising input costs and other market
disruptions stemming from the Biden Administration. This program distributed
over 1.8 billion in assistance to over 52,000 producers.
The Supplemental
Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) is helping
producers recover from severe weather events in 2023 and 2024. This program has
distributed nearly $6 billion to over 388,000 farmers with up to an additional
$9 billion to be distributed over the next four months.
Over
$2.5 billion via block grants delivered to states and sugar beet and
cane processors via block grants to cover losses from 2023 and 2024 that were
left uncovered by existing USDA programs.
Trump
Supported OBBBA Farmer Wins
With
the signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill in July, President Trump has made
crop insurance more workable and affordable for American farmers and ranchers.
Crop insurance is an essential risk management tool that allows American
farmers and ranchers endure weather and market volatility. The bill increases
crop insurance premium support for beginning farmers and ranchers by expanding
the definition from five to 10 years of experience, enabling more producers to
qualify for assistance over a longer period. These improvements will result in
over $400 million in savings every year for America’s farmers on insurance
premiums.
For
the first time in over a decade the statutory reference prices for the farm
safety net programs, ARC and PLC, were raised by 10-21% for major commodities
such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Thanks to OBBBA USDA is also expanding
eligibility for these price support programs by adding more than 30 million new
base acres to the program making them eligible for future PLC or ARC payments
starting in crop year 2026.
OBBBA
extended the marketing assistance loan programs through 2031 and updated loan
rates for major commodities beginning in the 2026 crop year, providing stronger
loan rates for crops like wheat, corn, cotton and soybeans.
The
bill included historic investments to the domestic sugar programs and USDA made
them available starting October 1, 2025. The loan rate for raw cane sugar has
increased to an average 24 cents per pound for the 2025 - 2031 crop years, with
refined beet sugar rates increased to an average of 32.77 cents per pound.
OBBBA
invested in USDA’s major conservation programs, including the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). These funds will result in
over $34B in conservation work on agricultural land over the next 10 years.
OBBBA
provides $285 million a year for agricultural trade promotion and facilitation.
This is in addition to the existing $234M per year of funding for MAP and FMD.
These dollars are key to opening and expanding foreign markets.
OBBBA
included many important tax provisions for farmers and ranchers. Some of the
most impactful provisions for agriculture are the permanency of the 20%
qualified business income deduction, full bonus depreciation and the $15
million per individual estate tax exemption, now also indexed for inflation.
With the current land values, equipment costs and input prices, even
modest-sized farms can easily exceed that threshold, meaning upon the owner’s
death, far more family operations would face massive tax bills than previously
estimated. A permanent bonus depreciation means that farmers can continue to
write off the entire cost of new equipment, land improvements, new barns and
other capital upgrades in the year of purchase, rather than depreciating them
over many years.
Oversight
on Competition & Farmer Input Costs
On
September 26, 2025, the USDA and the Department of Justice signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (PDF,
1.3 MB) that represents a joint commitment by both agencies to protect American
farmers and ranchers from the burdens imposed by high and volatile input
costs—such as feed, fertilizer, fuel, seed, equipment, and other essential
goods—while ensuring competitive supply chains, lower consumer prices, and the
resilience of U.S. agriculture and the food supply.
On
December 6, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to stop price
fixing, anti-competitive behavior, and foreign influence that drives up prices
and threatens the security of America’s food supply. This EO recognizes that
sectors including seed, fertilizer, and farm equipment may be vulnerable to anti-competitive
manipulation that result in higher prices for farmers and seeks to take
aggressive action in part by the establishment of Task Forces created to
investigate price fixing and anti-competitive behavior, especially regarding
foreign owned entities.
These
actions combined reiterate the Trump Administration’s commitment to
scrutinizing competitive conditions in the agricultural marketplace, including
antitrust enforcement that promotes free market competition.
Lowering
Farm Labor Costs through Deregulatory Actions
Farm
labor costs alone increased 47% since 2020 largely due to the high cost of
utilizing the H-2A program to secure seasonal labor under the Biden
Administration who artificially inflated Adverse Effect Wage Rates set by the
U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) using USDA’s Farm Labor Survey which was never
designed to be used for setting government-mandated wage rates and is
duplicative of other DOL data sources. As such, USDA discontinued this survey
while DOL issued a bold new interim final rule which decreased wage costs for
H-2A agricultural employers resulting in initial savings of at least $2
billion. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a final
rule, effective October 2, 2025, to streamline the filing process for certain
temporary agricultural worker petitions. These actions combined are making farm
labor more affordable and more accessible for American agriculture.
USDA
is Prioritizing the Purchase of Healthy U.S. Grown Commodities to Feed Those
Most in Need through Section 32 Buys
This
year alone, USDA has provided nearly $1 billion in Section 32 purchases, all
which benefit the charitable feeding network.
On
November 24, 2025, Secretary Rollins announced a $30 million
Section 32 buy of
American grown oranges, grapefruit, and mandarins.
On
August 6, 2025, Secretary Rollins announced a $2 million
Section 32 buy of
invasive Chesapeake Bay blue catfish.
On
August 1, 2025, Secretary Rollins announced up to $230
million Section 32 buy of Alaska pollock, catfish, apples, beans and
cranberries.
On
May 23, 2025, Secretary Rollins announced a $67 million
Section 32 buy of
American groundfish, pears, cherries, shrimp and beans.
USDA
will continue to buy Section 32 commodity purchases to support American
seafood, fruit, vegetable, and tree-nut producers for distribution to U.S. food
banks, schools, and other outlets serving low-income individuals. These actions
support President Trump’s vision to Make America Healthy Again through U.S.
local farmer grown, healthy, and nutritious commodities.
This
is the most pro-biofuels Administration in history
President
Trump recognizes how important the Renewable Fuel Standard is for American corn
and soybean farmers. EPA Administrator Zeldin delivered the boldest Renewable
Volume Obligations ever and provided much certainty in the market for our
producers while delivering lower prices at the pump for consumers. The RVO
gives the markets the incentive to invest in American products for American
consumers and to export around the world.
EPA’s
decision to allow the summer sale of E-15 constituted 2025 year-round E15 and
continues to deliver immediate relief to consumers, give more choices at the
pump, and drive demand for corn grown, processed, and used right here in
America. America’s national security depends on our energy security, and
biofuels are a crucial asset that brings more jobs and helps farmers in rural
America.
List
of Trade & Market Access Wins to Date
USDA
announced applications are now
open through
January 23, 2026, for the $285 million America First Trade Promotion Program
(AFTPP), a key component of the Trump Administration’s work to expand global
market access and create new export opportunities for America’s farmers,
ranchers, and producers.
Additionally,
President Trump and his administration have worked to pen new trade deals and
trade frameworks with more than 15 countries.
Switzerland
and Liechtenstein will
invest at least $200 billion in the United States, remove tariffs on several
agricultural products, allow for market access for American beef, bison, and
poultry, and remove non-tariff barriers for poultry and dairy.
El
Salvador has
removed non-tariff barriers including fumigation requirements and arbitrary
geographic indicator restrictions on dairy product names.
Argentina will allow access
for U.S. poultry and poultry products, within one year, and simplify red tape
for U.S. exporters of beef, beef products, pork, and pork products. Argentina
also has agreed to protect U.S. exporters’ use of certain meat and cheese terms,
preserving market access and creating the potential for new opportunities in
the region.
Ecuador has reduced or
eliminated tariffs on American nuts, wheat, and wine; and will reduce major
non-tariff barriers for many agricultural products regarding import licensing
and facility registration requirements.
Guatemala will address and
prevent barriers to U.S. agricultural products in its market; maintain science-
and risk-based regulatory frameworks; and efficient authorization processes for
agricultural products.
China committed to
delaying new export controls on rare earth minerals, resume large purchases of
U.S. soybeans, sorghum, and more. To date, China is already purchasing
additional soybeans, wheat, and sorghum.
Malaysia will provide
significant market access for U.S. products like dairy, horticultural products,
poultry, pork, rice, and ethanol; recognize the U.S. food safety systems for
U.S. meat, poultry, and dairy products; streamline its halal certification of U.S.
food and agricultural products; and open market access for U.S. sorghum.
Cambodia will eliminate
100% of its tariffs on U.S. products, while the U.S. maintains a 19% reciprocal
tariff rate for imports from Cambodia. It will also recognize the U.S.
scientific guidelines for most U.S. agricultural goods and food.
Thailand will eliminate
tariffs on 99% of U.S. goods, including most food and agricultural products and
expedite access for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service-certified meat
and poultry products, giving American producers unprecedented access to the market.
Vietnam will accept
preferential access for U.S. agricultural goods, including specialty cheese and
meats, and is already improving access for U.S. peaches and nectarines. Vietnam
will pay the United States 20% tariffs on all goods and 40% on any transshipped
goods
South
Korea will
pay 15 percent tariff to the United States.
European
Union will
purchase $750 billion of American energy and addressing non-tariff barriers for
farmers and ranchers - pork and dairy products. Market access for U.S.
agricultural goods like tree nuts, sorghum, and more will also be provided as
we work to commit to a simpler regulatory agenda.
Philippines is opening their
market to the United States and charging us zero tariffs while the Philippines
will pay 19 percent tariffs to the United States.
Indonesia will eliminate
90 percent of tariffs on American exports including for all agricultural
products.
Japan agreed to $8
billion in American agricultural purchases including corn, soybeans, ethanol,
fertilizer, and sustainable aviation fuel. Japan will increase US rice imports
by 75%.
United
Kingdom will
create $5 billion in new agricultural export opportunities. $700 million in
ethanol and better market access for American beef.
At
the same time, President Trump is securing new, unprecedented market access for
American agricultural producers around the world. For example, wine exports to
Mexico are up 30 percent in 2025, reaching $18 million; South Korea has
purchased $1 billion in corn, more than double from 2024; Bangladesh purchased
$172 million in soybeans; Costa Rica streamlined its dairy access for U.S.
producers; and India cut its bourbon tariff in half.
Norb
Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
