WASHINGTON, D.C. — Farmers will receive up to $11 billion in one-time “bridge” payments, food banks will see $263 million in additional dairy and agricultural purchases, and chronic animal welfare violators face expanded enforcement under a series of actions announced this week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
What This Means for You
- Row crop producers can apply for $11 billion in temporary financial relief beginning February 23.
- USDA will purchase up to $263 million in dairy and other commodities for food banks and nutrition programs.
- The department is increasing enforcement against repeat animal welfare violators and expanding coordination to combat dog fighting.
$11 Billion Bridge Payments for Row Crop Producers
USDA opened enrollment for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, which will provide $11 billion in one-time payments to row crop producers facing temporary trade disruptions and higher production costs. The application window runs from February 23 through April 17, 2026.
The payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and administered by the Farm Service Agency.
“Improving the farm economy is our top priority at USDA, and we have simplified and streamlined the application process for the bridge program to ensure producers get the financial assistance they need as quickly as possible as we’re kicking off the spring planting season,” said Secretary Brooke L. Rollins. “President Trump continues to put farmers first. If our farmers are not economically able to continue their operations, then we will not be able to feed ourselves in this country.”
Eligible commodities include corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, barley, peanuts, sorghum, lentils, chickpeas and several oilseeds. Prevented planting acres are not eligible.
Producers can apply online at fsa.usda.gov/fba using Login.gov or through their local FSA county office.
$263 Million in Food Purchases for Nutrition Programs
On February 19, USDA announced plans to purchase up to $263 million in dairy and other agricultural products under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935, which allows the department to buy surplus commodities to support farm prices and nutrition programs.
The purchases include $75 million in butter, $32.5 million in cheddar cheese, $20.5 million in fresh fluid milk, along with beans, lentils, pears, split peas, walnuts and pecans. The products will be distributed through food banks and federal nutrition assistance programs, including The Emergency Food Assistance Program.
“Through these Section 32 purchases, USDA is delivering wholesome, real food to Americans while injecting critical dollars into local economies,” Rollins said. “By turning harvests into meals, we are not only stabilizing farm income and protecting rural jobs—we are nourishing our nation and supporting the farmers who feed America.”
Animal Welfare Enforcement and Dog Fighting Crackdown
USDA also announced expanded enforcement under the Animal Welfare Act, the federal law that sets standards for the humane treatment of certain animals.
The department said compliance among dog breeding facilities has risen from 67 percent in 2015 to more than 92 percent in 2025. However, officials said some facilities continue to show chronic violations.
“If you are breeding dogs and not meeting the Animal Welfare Act’s humane standards of care, your time is up,” Rollins said. “We will not allow a handful of bad actors to tarnish the reputation of responsible American breeders or compromise the humane treatment of animals.”
USDA has canceled, denied, suspended or revoked licenses for six breeders, filed administrative cases against two others, and referred one case to the Department of Justice involving a facility that repeatedly blocked inspections.
USDA and DOJ also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen coordination on enforcement, particularly targeting dog fighting operations.
In 2025, federal courts sentenced individuals in Maryland and Florida in high-profile dog fighting cases, including one Florida defendant who received 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate dog fighting prohibitions and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Sugar Assistance and Disaster Relief
USDA announced an additional $150 million in assistance for sugar beet and sugar cane farmers facing market disruptions and rising production costs. The department will work with sugar processors to distribute payments directly to farmer-members.
The agency is also providing $89.1 million in weather-related disaster assistance to sugar beet producers who suffered excessive heat losses in 2024. The funding was provided by Congress through the American Relief Act, 2025, and will be administered through eligible beet sugar cooperatives.
Regulatory and Data Initiatives
Earlier in the week, USDA proposed updates to federal line speed regulations for poultry and pork processing plants operating under modern inspection systems. The changes would allow eligible establishments to operate at speeds supported by their equipment and food safety performance, while maintaining federal inspection authority.
“These updates remove outdated bottlenecks so that we can lower production costs and create greater stability in our food system,” Rollins said.
USDA also issued a Request for Information seeking public input on statistical data and research methods used by the department’s Economic Research Service and National Agricultural Statistics Service.
“We’re looking for producer-driven input that can introduce more transparency and ease of access across USDA’s data outputs,” said USDA Chief Economist Dr. Justin Benavidez. “If producers don’t believe in our products, we have work left to do.”
Public comment periods for the various proposals range from 30 to 60 days, depending on the action.
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