Overview
- USDA released per-acre payment rates for 19 row crops, led by rice at $132.89 and cotton at $117.35, with corn at $44.36, soybeans at $30.88, wheat at $39.35, and sorghum at $48.11.
- One-time payments under the Farmer Bridge Assistance program are expected to reach farmers by Feb. 28, based on a formula using 2025 planted acres, cost-of-production data, and market conditions.
- The package totals $12 billion, with $11 billion for row crops and $1 billion reserved for specialty and sugar crops, as USDA determines distribution details for those sectors.
- Eligibility includes a $155,000 cap per farmer or entity and an adjusted gross income limit below $900,000, according to USDA.
- Soybean producers warn the rates fall short as the White House’s claim of a 12 million metric ton Chinese purchase remains unconfirmed, with USDA data showing about 4.3 million metric tons bought so far.