US Farmers Set to Receive $11 Billion in Aid, But Soybean Growers Say Support Falls Short

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced details of its $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which will provide $11 billion in one-time payments to row crop farmers next year based on a per-acre rate for 19 eligible commodities. The program, designed to help producers cope with low crop prices and trade-related losses, comes after a year of massive corn and soybean harvests and a global grain surplus that drove prices down. Payments are calculated using 2025 planted acres, cost-of-production data, and current market conditions, with distributions expected by February 28, according to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.

However, soybean growers say the aid does not go far enough, particularly after major trade disruptions reduced U.S. soybean sales to China, the world’s largest buyer. While rice, cotton, and oats will receive the highest per-acre payments at $132.89, $117.35, and $81.75 respectively, soybean farmers are set to receive just $30.88 per acre. “The payment rate for soybeans will likely not be enough for farmers to keep their operations financially solvent,” said Scott Metzger, president of the American Soybean Association. Corn growers will receive $44.36 per acre, wheat $39.35, and sorghum farmers $48.11 per acre, with sorghum producers calling the assistance helpful despite recent improvements in export demand.

The USDA said the remaining $1 billion in the aid package will be reserved for specialty crops and sugar producers, though details on distribution are still being finalized. Other qualifying crops include peanuts, barley, canola, sunflower, lentils, peas, mustard, safflower, flax, chickpeas, and sesame. While the payments are expected to provide short-term relief as farmers prepare for the next planting season, agricultural economists warn the assistance represents only a fraction of producers’ financial losses and will not be enough to revive the struggling U.S. farm economy.

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