Bridge Payments Help, But Pain Persists
The frustration levels are high as farmers are moving into their fourth year of a continued cycle of low commodity prices and stubbornly high input costs. Ag leaders note there are no silver bullets for managing through the downturn. A USDA official noted the Farmer Bridge Assistance program has already received 35,000 applications for aid this week.
Tariffs Affect Fertilizer Imports
While fertilizer imports into the U.S. were exempt from the various tariffs instituted in 2025, the tariffs appear to have influenced nutrient imports negatively in the second half of the year. In a webinar presented by The Fertilizer Institute, TFI staff discussed the tariffs, what happened in the fertilizer industry in 2025, and what the industry could see in 2026.
USDA Details New Farmer Login Platform
USDA has unveiled One Farmer, One File for farmers to access USDA services through a single log-in they can use to enroll in either FSA or NRCS programs. USDA also plans to use the platform for producers to file acreage reports.