What about apples, grapes? USDA bridge payments skip specialty crops, for now

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced the next phase in the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA): the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates. As part of the program, $12 billion will be paid to American farmers in 2026.

Timelines for payments to specialty crop producers are still under development and require additional understanding of market impacts and economic needs, according to the release from USDA. The agency says concerned producers can submit questions to farmerbridge@usda.gov. 

USDA also says in the news release that of the $12 billion being provided by the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, up to $11 billion is for eligible row crop producers and the remaining $1 billion of the $12 billion in assistance is reserved for specialty crops and sugar.

Per Acre Payment Rates

For those curious, listed below are the payment rates for FBA eligible commodities that triggered a payment. Rice ($132.89), cotton ($117.35), oats ($81.75), peanuts ($55.65), sorghum ($48.11) and corn ($44.36) will receive the highest per-acre payment rates, according to the USDA release.

• 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

Eligibility info

FBA payments are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost-of-production data and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) Report. Double crop acres, including all initial and subsequently planted crops, are eligible. Prevent plant acres are not eligible.