BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – The USDA has revealed new details about a $12 billion aid program for farmers in Louisiana and across the country.
The program is meant to provide a boost to farmers, who have been impacted by tariffs and other factors. Many of the farmers have faced higher costs while struggling to sell their crops.
According to the USDA, the $12 billion will be distributed to eligible row crop farmers in 2026, with $11 billion of that consisting of one-time payments.
A more specific timeline for when the payments will go out is still being developed.
“These one-time payments give farmers the bridge to continue to feed and clothe America and the world while the Trump Administration continues opening new markets and strengthening the farm safety net,” said USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. “USDA is making this process as simple and seamless as possible so producers can focus on what they do best – feeding and fueling our nation.”
According to the USDA, payment rates for farmers who plant corn are $44.36 per acre, while rates are $132,89 per acre for rice farmers and $30.88 per acre for soybean farmers. Below is the complete list of eligible commodities and the payment rates:
- 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
The pay limit is $155,000 per producer.
Officials said the payments that farmers receive are based on multiple factors. They include acres planted in the year 2025, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report.
In order to qualify for the payments, you must be actively farming and have risk and interest in the eligible planted commodity. You also needed to have reported your eligible acres for the 2025 crop year by December 19, 2025.
For more information, you can visit the USDA’s website by clicking here. You can also contact your local USDA FSA office or send an email to farmerbridge@usda.gov.
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