ISA Comments on USDA’s Just-Announced Farmer Bridge Assistance Program

December 8, 2025 | Aaron Putze, APR

Ankeny, Iowa - The Trump administration on Monday announced a Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program providing $11 billion in targeted, one-time economic assistance to row crop farmers impacted by continued disruptions to global export markets and input suppliers. As the U.S. soybean industry evaluates the details of the program, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) President Tom Adam of Harper offered the following comment:

“The combination of global trade disruptions for both the sale of soybeans and purchase of ag inputs has taken an economic toll on Iowa soybean farmers. Loan default rates have continued to rise while many farmers have drawn down their cash reserves just to maintain the viability of their operations.

We appreciate the administration’s response to the concerns farmers have voiced with today’s announcement of targeted, one-time payments of $11 billion to row crop farmers. These resources will help mitigate the difficult situation many producers find themselves in as they deal with bills that are due from the crop just harvested while seeking the financing needed to plant another crop next spring.

The economic disaster assistance is the first of many steps needed to restore profitability to Iowa farmers. To be clear: farmers want markets, not emergency government assistance. Ad hoc payments year after year do not provide farmers with the certainty needed to return to a profitable operating environment.

We will continue to work with Congress and the administration on broader support for the farm economy. At the top of the list is finalizing policies to support domestic biofuel markets for U.S. soybean farmers including issuing tax guidance for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, establishing 2026-2027 biofuel volumes and limiting incentives for imported biofuel inputs through the Renewable Fuel Standard.

ISA will also continue to stress the need for restoring trade relationships with key customers of Iowa and U.S. soy and expanding domestic markets. These actions will help restore needed stability and certainty in the marketplace, benefiting both farmers and consumers.”

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The Iowa Soybean Association is Driven To Deliver market demand, production research, information and insights and regulatory action benefiting Iowa's 37,000 soybean farmers and the industry. For more information, visit iasoybeans.com.

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