More information about Farmer Bridge Payments for wheat farmers

The National Association of Wheat Growers has put together an information sheet on the Trump administration’s Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program specific to wheat farmers.

The one-time, $12 billion FBA is intended to help producers through market disruptions and elevated input costs until the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) goes into effect next fall. Row crops will receive $11 billion, and specialty crops will receive $1 billion. After U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rulemaking and software development, the goal is to disburse payments by Feb. 28, 2026.

Key points:

  • Payment Limits:
    1. FBA payments will be limited to a maximum of $155k for each person/partner/legal entity (in line with OBBBA);
    2. The farm bill’s $900k AGI payment eligibility test will be in effect; and
    3. FBA will not use a 75% farm income test.
  • Basis for commodity payment rates will be based on:
    1. Reported planted acres. If growers haven’t already filed acreage reports, then 2025 planted acres must be reported to their county FSA office on Form 578 no later than Dec. 19;
    2. USDA ERS projected production cost data; and
    3. WASDE price projections to model economic losses.
  • Payment rates by commodity will be announced after the Dec. 19 acreage reporting deadline. USDA hopes to announce payment rates by end of this year.
    1. Payment rates won’t be a flat rate across commodities. Different payment rates will be calculated for each eligible crop based on the $11 billion funding cap.
    2. USDA intends to issue a single payment to eligible producers, not a factored payment.

Additional details:

  • Wheat acres planted in fall 2024 and harvested in 2025 will be eligible.
  • Double-crop acres will be eligible.
  • Payments will be considered taxable income for recipients.
  • Crop insurance indemnities will not be considered for calculating payments.
  • Prevent plant acres are not eligible.