By Julie Tomascik
Editor

The $10 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) funds are being released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The economic assistance payments are for farmers who grow corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, oats, peanuts and other field crops. The relief payments are based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for the 2024 crop year.

The payments were authorized by Congress in a year-end spending bill last December.

“Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the Trump administration is ensuring they get the support they need without delay,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said. “With clear direction from Congress, USDA has prioritized streamlining the process and accelerating these payments ahead of schedule, ensuring farmers have the resources necessary to manage rising expenses and secure financing for next season.”

Farmers must sign up by Aug. 15.

Program details
Farmers will initially receive 85% of the payment they are eligible for to ensure that total program payments do not exceed available funding, USDA said.

ECAP assistance will be calculated using a flat payment rate for the eligible commodity multiplied by the eligible reported acres. Payments are based on acreage and not production. For acres reported as prevented plant, ECAP assistance will be calculated at 50%.

For ECAP payment estimates, farmers are encouraged to visit fsa.usda.gov/ecap to use the ECAP online calculator.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency will send pre-filed applications to producers that have submitted their 2024 acreage reports for eligible ECAP commodities after the sign-up period has opened. Farmers can click here to apply or contact their local FSA office to request an application.

Eligible commodities and payment rates
The commodities below are eligible for these per-acre payment rates:

  • Wheat: $30.69
  • Corn: $42.91
  • Sorghum – $42.52
  • Barley – $21.67
  • Oats – $77.66
  • Upland cotton & Extra-long staple cotton – $84.74
  • Long & medium grain rice – $76.94
  • Peanuts – $75.51
  • Soybeans – $29.76
  • Dry peas – $16.02
  • Lentils – $19.30
  • Small Chickpeas – $31.45
  • Large Chickpeas – $24.02

Eligible Oilseeds:

  • Canola – $31.83
  • Crambe – $19.08
  • Flax – $20.97
  • Mustard – $11.36
  • Rapeseed – $23.63
  • Safflower – $26.32
  • Sesame – $16.83
  • Sunflower – $27.23

Struggling farm economy
Farmers are struggling with low commodity prices, and net farm income has declined nearly 25% over the past two years. Farmers are entering their third year of losses on every acre they plant with an outdated farm safety net.

“Texas farmers have suffered unprecedented losses over the past three years due to a grim economic environment beyond their control. Input prices and inflation have been at an all-time high, while commodity prices have plummeted, making it extremely difficult to continue operating. This is on top of extreme weather conditions and lack of a new farm bill that includes a safety net to meet current needs as producers continue doing what they do best—feeding and clothing the world,” Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said in a statement.

But while this economic support is needed, it is only a short-term solution for a larger problem in farm country, Boening said.

“Texas farmers and ranchers deserve long-term certainty with a new farm bill that includes a stronger safety net,” he said. “A delay of over two years on enactment of this critical legislation is a slap in the face for families who work hard daily to feed and clothe the nation.”

The state’s largest general farm and ranch organization said Congress needs to act now.

“If a new farm bill is not passed within the next couple of months, more economic assistance will be necessary,” Boening said. “Texas Farm Bureau looks forward to continuing our work with Congress and this Administration to deliver the long-term solutions American farmers, ranchers and consumers deserve.”