In the long-term, farms and ranches are going to have to adapt to a changing agricultural environment that provides better opportunities for individual operations to weather market volatility. The prolonged economic instability in agriculture does not appear to be on an upswing soon. Now is the time for farmers and ranchers to begin evaluating how to diversify their production practices and portfolios to be better equipped for what comes next rather than waiting for another check from Uncle Sam.
The Trump administration recently announced $12 billion in “bridge payments” for American farmers and ranchers to provide relief from tariffs and “other economic challenges.”
American farmers and ranchers are suffering. The national Farm Aid suicide prevention hotline has reported an increase in calls year-over-year and farm bankruptcies for 2025 have already surpassed all of 2024’s combined filings.
The Farmer Bridge Assistance program allocates nearly $11 billion to primarily row crops and an additional $1 billion to specialty crops and sugar. The timelines and other details for the FBA are still in development with anticipated payments not hitting eligible farmers’ bank accounts until February 2026.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.
‘Bridge payments’ to nowhere: time for ag to find its own path
Pam Lewison
In the long-term, farms and ranches are going to have to adapt to a changing agricultural environment that provides better opportunities for individual operations to weather market volatility. The prolonged economic instability in agriculture does not appear to be on an upswing soon. Now is the time for farmers and ranchers to begin evaluating how to diversify their production practices and portfolios to be better equipped for what comes next rather than waiting for another check from Uncle Sam.
The Trump administration recently announced $12 billion in “bridge payments” for American farmers and ranchers to provide relief from tariffs and “other economic challenges.”
American farmers and ranchers are suffering. The national Farm Aid suicide prevention hotline has reported an increase in calls year-over-year and farm bankruptcies for 2025 have already surpassed all of 2024’s combined filings.
The Farmer Bridge Assistance program allocates nearly $11 billion to primarily row crops and an additional $1 billion to specialty crops and sugar. The timelines and other details for the FBA are still in development with anticipated payments not hitting eligible farmers’ bank accounts until February 2026.
Read more here.
Nothing contained in this blog is to be construed as necessarily reflecting the views of the Pacific Research Institute or as an attempt to thwart or aid the passage of any legislation.