The Montana Farm Bureau reacted positively to President Trump’s announcement to provide an economic bridge to farmers to provide financial relief. Known as Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA), it will provide a way for farmers to persevere through tough times until benefits from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reach the farm. Of the $12 billion earmarked for farmers, $11 billion will be distributed to row crop farmers by the end of February 2026. The remaining $1 billion will be distributed among specialty crop farmers.

With the increasing costs of equipment, supplies, fertilizer, loans and other inputs, coupled with historically low commodity prices and loss of market access, farmers are facing challenges of staying in business or shuttering the family farm. Across the country, farmers are expected to lose $34 billion in 2025.

“Farmers are grateful to have the bridge payment,” said Montana Farm Bureau President Cyndi Johnson. “The assistance will make an immediate impact by providing a timely tool for farmers who work to ensure a healthy, safe and abundant food supply. The fact that farmers can apply through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) streamlines the process. Of course, there needs to be accountability in the process.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, of the $12 billion provided, up to $11 billion will be used for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, which provides broad relief to United States row crop farmers who produce Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed, Safflower, Sesame, and Sunflower. FBA will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports.

The USDA noted that farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by February 28, 2026. Eligible farmers should ensure their 2025 acreage reporting is factual and accurate by 5 p.m. ET on December 19, 2025. Commodity-specific payment rates will be released by the end of the month.

The leading eligible crops grown in Montana are wheat, barley, peas, lentils and chickpeas. While corn, soybeans, and canola account for fewer planted acres, they nonetheless form a vital part of farm income across Big Sky Country.

Johnson, a wheat farmer from Conrad, explained that the lack of remaining details of the bridge payments make discussions about how much help any Montana farmer will receive premature. 

“Although we are encouraged to see trade deals and frameworks being secured by the administration, we need to ensure that these markets materialize and keep farms running,” Johnson added. “As a farmer, I love to farm.  We look forward to being able to see our current trade partners as well as new ones buying our high-quality commodities.”

Farmers with questions about the FBA program can contact farmerbridge@usda.gov.