President Trump said the federal government will provide up to $12 billion in one-time payments to farmers being pinched by higher production costs and lower commodity prices.
“This relief will provide much needed certainty to farmers as they get this year’s harvest to market and look ahead to next year’s crops,” Trump said, “and it’ll help them continue their efforts to lower food prices for American families.”
Trump made the announcement yesterday during an event at the White House. Cordt Holub, a fourth-generation farmer who raises corn, soybeans and cattle in Tama County, sat next to Trump.
“It’s Christmas early for farmers,” Holub said. “…With this bridge payment, we’ll be able to farm another year…It gets in your blood to farm and what you’re doing here in D.C. is working. You have a backbone to stand up to other countries.”
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the payments will be based on 2025 acreage reports that eligible farmers file with the USDA by Dec. 19.
“So as you are going with your lender, as you are working to ensure and understand what you can plant for next year, you will have that number in hand,” Rollins said.
The checks are expected to be distributed by the end of February. Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson says farmers are facing severe financial stress driven by high input costs and declining crop prices, compounded by a lack of global trade opportunities. He says the payments will be critical support for farmers while broader trade discussions continue.
Farmers who raise 20 different crops, including corn, soybeans and oats, will receive $11 billion under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The USDA will use the remaining $1 billion to help farmers who grow specialty crops and sugarcane.
