Today, the American Soybean Association responded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s release of additional details regarding the Farmer Bridge Assistance program. The commodity-specific payment rates for the program will include $30.88/acre for soybeans, which will not cover the significant financial damage soybean farmers sustained this year due to the high cost of production and losses sustained during the China trade war.
ASA appreciates the administration’s focus on the economic downturn in the U.S. agricultural industry. The per-acre financial support for soybean farmers, however, will not be enough to ensure their operations can survive through the next growing season. The FBA program is a critical first step in making soybean farmers whole, but additional actions, including finalizing biofuels policies to bolster domestic markets for U.S. soy, are urgently needed.
“ASA is grateful to the Trump administration and USDA for recognizing the economic losses farmers are experiencing, but due to significant trade losses this year, the payment rate for soybeans will likely not be enough for soybean farmers to keep their operations financially solvent as we move into the next planting season,” said ASA President and Ohio farmer Scott Metzger. “While the assistance provides some relief, farmers need strong, reliable markets to guarantee the long-term success of the U.S. soybean industry. We urge the Trump administration to focus on immediate, achievable actions which will support domestic soybean markets, including finalizing policies that create a preference for soy-based biofuel feedstocks through the 2026-2027 Renewable Volume Obligations, robust biomass-based diesel volumes, and 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit tax guidance. Reliable markets depend on policies that grow demand, strengthen rural economies, and provide certainty for the next generation.”
ASA urges the administration to deliver long-term demand solutions by finalizing strong biofuels policy. Finalizing EPA’s biofuel blending requirements as proposed, including the RIN credit discount for imported biofuel feedstocks that undercut domestic soybean demand, would prioritize American-grown feedstocks, support domestic energy production, and strengthen demand for U.S. soybean oil. Further, the swift finalization of 45Z tax guidance to ensure the positive changes created through One Big Beautiful Bill Act can be realized, is imperative to support biofuel industry investments. Putting these policies in place now will help ensure today’s assistance is paired with lasting market opportunity for soybean farmers and rural communities.
National Corn Growers:
In response to this development, National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower released the following statement:
“We are appreciative of Secretary Rollins and the USDA for creating the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, which begins to assist growers facing economic pain and hardships.
“Corn growers have been sounding the alarm about the fact that farmers have been faced with multiple consecutive years of low corn prices and high input costs.
“While this financial assistance is helpful and welcomed, we urgently need the administration and Congress to develop markets in the United States and abroad that will provide growers with more long-term economic certainty.”
NCGA will continue working with USDA as the Farm Service Agency begins the implementation stage of the new Farmer Bridge Assistance Program to ensure the assistance is timely and effective for producers.
Sorghum Producers:
“National Sorghum Producers appreciates the administration’s continued support of sorghum farmers during a year marked by significant trade disruption and economic uncertainty,” said Amy France, chair of National Sorghum Producers. “These payments provide near-term certainty while longer-term improvements to the farm safety net and risk management tools take effect.”
Tim Lust, CEO of National Sorghum Producers, noted that international trade of U.S. sorghum has shown recent improvement, with export sales exceeding 1 million metric tons in the past few weeks—an encouraging signal as global markets begin to reopen.
National Association of Wheat Growers:
“Wheat growers are closing the books on a difficult year marked by extremely high input costs and stubbornly low wheat prices. NAWG appreciates the Trump administration’s response to the market challenges facing farm families and its efforts to deliver much-needed assistance. While the rates announced today do not come close to making wheat farmers whole for the per-acre losses experienced in 2025, the $39.35 per-acre payment for planted wheat will help lighten the blow of a challenging year,” said Pat Clements, NAWG President.
“As we look ahead to 2026, NAWG is eager to work with Congress and the administration to build a policy environment that provides regulatory certainty, allows wheat growers to achieve positive returns on their crops, supports robust trade policies that keep U.S. wheat competitive in global markets, and helps farmers begin paying down debt incurred after years of market adversity.”
The National Cotton Council:
The National Cotton Council (NCC) appreciates the timely announcement of payment rates under the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, an important development for U.S. cotton producers. The FBA rate for cotton of $117.35 per planted acre offers critical support to growers as they navigate current market conditions and production costs.
“The FBA program provides a welcome and much-needed level of assistance for cotton growers,” said NCC Chairman Patrick Johnson. “This support is critical for producers struggling to manage current economic pressures and will give lenders and growers the confidence to continue to invest in cotton. We greatly appreciate the consideration given by President Trump and Secretary Rollins in addressing the needs of U.S. cotton producers.” NCC continues to advocate for effective long-term solutions that enhance the demand for U.S. cotton such as the Buying American Cotton Act (S.1919) introduced by Senator Cindy Hyde Smith (R-MS).
