USDA opens aid applications for farmers who suffered economic losses in 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened enrollment for the Farmer Bridge Assistance program on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

Applications are now open for row crop farmers who suffered losses due to trade disruptions and inflated production costs in 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday.

Producers who apply online could receive payment as early as Feb. 28, according to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.

“If our farmers are not economically able to continue their operations, then we will not be able to feed ourselves in this country,” Rollins said in a news release.

Applications for the $11 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance program will be accepted through April 17. Payments will be based on planted acres of eligible crops, and pre-filled applications using data from 2025 crop acreage reports are available at fsa.usda.gov/fba and through local Farm Service Agency offices.

Farmers across the country faced steep losses in 2025, and Tennessee was no different. 

Producers of the state’s top four crops — soybeans, corn, cotton and a wheat and soybean combination — ended 2025 with a combined $476 million loss, according to estimates from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. 

With federal aid and crop insurance payments factored in, that number drops to $192 million in combined losses. 

Eligible soybean farmers will receive $30.88 per acre, with a limit of $155,000 per producer, according to rates for the one-time “bridge” payments released by the USDA in December.

The Farmer Bridge Assistance program will pay out up to $11 billion to eligible producers of the following row crops at a per-acre rate:

• Barley: $20.51
• Canola: $23.57
• Chickpeas (Large): $26.46
• Chickpeas (Small): $33.36
• Corn: $44.36
• Cotton: $117.35
• Flax: $8.05
• Lentils: $23.98
• Mustard: $23.21
• Oats: $81.75
• Peanuts: $55.65
• Peas: $19.60
• Rice: $132.89
• Safflower: $24.86
• Sesame: $13.68
• Sorghum: $48.11
• Soybeans: $30.88
• Sunflower: $17.32
• Wheat: $39.35

Another $1 billion will be reserved for specialty crops, sugar and other commodities not covered in the Farmer Bridge Assistance program.

To be eligible, producers must have an adjusted gross income of less than $900,000. Producers are not required to hold crop insurance policies to receive payments.