On December 8, 2025, President Trump announced the availability of $12 billion in support for eligible agricultural producers to keep them afloat amid current financial challenges caused in part by trade disruption, low commodity prices, and high production costs. Of the $12 billion, being referred to as a bridge payment, $11 billion has been authorized for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program to provide payments to farmers of eligible row crop commodities (see table 1). The remaining $1 billion is for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program for specialty crops, sugar, and commodities not included in the FBA program.

Farmer Bridge Assistance Program

The FBA payment is intended to provide immediate relief before the full benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) take effect. Although the farm safety-net programs in the OBBBA promise higher safety nets for row crop producers, these payments are not going to be available until October 2026. The FBA program aims to provide a one-time payment starting Feb. 28 to support farmers ahead of the upcoming crop year.

Per acre estimates for each eligible FBA crop, as determined by the USDA, are based on the cost of production and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports. Total payments, however, are determined using 2025 planted acres and apply to all intended row crop uses, except for acres used for grazing, volunteer stands, experimental plots, green manure, crops left standing or abandoned, and cover crops. While double crop acres are eligible, prevent plant acres are not eligible.

To be eligible for payment, producers must be actively engaged in farming, have interest in eligible planted commodities, and have reported eligible acres for the 2025 crop year by December 19, 2025. Having crop insurance is not a requirement to receive this payment. Each eligible producer with an average Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) less than $900,000 can receive up to $155,000 in FBA payments.

Payment Rates for FBA

Table 1 presents the estimated FBA payment rates for eligible commodities, except for crambe, for which no acreage, and rapeseed, for which no payment was triggered. Payment rates range from a high of $132.89 per acre for rice to a low of $8.05 per acre for flax. Payment rates are high for commodities such as rice and cotton and low for sunflowers and peas, reflecting the different net losses of these commodities. FBA payment rates as seen in table 2 are 30% of their net losses.

Potential Impact on Alabama Row Crop Producers

Table 2 presents USDA cost of production estimates, prices, and yield from the WASDE report together with the FBA payment rates and eligible acreages for selected crops in Alabama. As shown in the table, crops experiencing more losses receive higher payment rates, which were estimated as 30% of the estimated loss per acre.

Based on these estimates and the reported acreage, cotton producers are projected to receive the largest total payment of $33.3 million, followed by corn at $14.58 million, and peanuts totaling $10.79 million. It is important to note that these payments may overstate the actual disbursement due to payment limits at the producer level. Nevertheless, the estimates provide a reflection of the expected support for these major crops in Alabama.

How to Apply for FBA

Row crop producers that have timely filed their 2025 crop acreage report may use Login.gov to access a pre-filled FBA application starting February 23, 2026. This website also allows producers to track their application and their payment status. Producers who do not wish to apply online may request a pre-filled FBA application from their local FSA county office. All producers seeking payment must submit their completed application by April 17, 2026.  More details can be found at the official USDA Farm Service Agency website.

Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program

Specialty crop producers have an opportunity to apply for assistance through the ASCF program based on a long list of fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts. Some of the eligible Alabama-grown crops include blueberries, peaches, strawberries, blackberries, grapes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelons, cucumbers, squash, and pecans. The full list of eligible specialty crops is on the official USDA Farm Service Agency website.

Since payments are based on reported 2025 planted acres, specialty crop producers will have until March 13, 2026, to make sure their 2025 crop acreage reports are factual and accurate. Payment rates for each specialty crop are expected to be announced by the end of March.