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Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA)

In early December, the Trump Administration and USDA announced the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. On December 31, 2025, USDA announced per-acre payment rates under the one-time Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA). This $12 billion program is designed to provide short-term financial support based on 2025 planted acres, helping producers with cash flow heading into the 2026 planting season.

For wheat growers, the per-acre payment rate has been set at $39.35 per planted acre.This rate reflects continued market challenges, including persistently low prices and elevated input costs experienced in the 2025 crop year.

USDA plans to issue pre-filled applications and begin payments in February 2026. Payments are based on 2025 planted acreage and do not require crop insurance participation, although USDA continues to encourage use of available risk-management tools under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Other Program Details:

  • Payments are capped at $155,000 per person, partner, or legal entity.
  • The Farm Bill $900,000 AGI limitation will apply.
  • No 75% farm income test will be used for eligibility.
  • Wheat planted in fall 2024 and harvested in 2025 is eligible.
  • Double-crop acres are eligible.
  • Payments will be considered taxable income.
  • Crop insurance indemnities will not be factored into payment calculations.
  • Prevent plant acres are not eligible.

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Wheat Assessment

Wheat Subject to Assessment

Wheat grown in the 32 Colorado counties covered by the Colorado Wheat Marketing Order are subject to assessment. The counties include: Adams, Arapahoe, Baca, Bent, Boulder, Cheyenne, Crowley, Custer, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Huerfano, Jefferson, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Larimer, Las Animas, Lincoln, Logan, Moffat, Morgan, Otero, Phillips, Prowers, Pueblo, Rio Blanco, Routt, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma.

Assessment Rate

The current assessment rate is two cents per bushel.

Refundable Assessment

A producer may request a refund of that portion of the assessment withheld which exceeds one-half cent per bushel (currently one and one-half cents per bushel).

Producers can request an “Application for Refund of Wheat Assessment” (ARWA) form by contacting the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee (CWAC) by one of 2 ways:

Mailing a written request to

4026 South Timberline Road, Suite 100
Fort Collins, CO 80525

E-mailing a written request to

info@coloradowheat.org

Producers must submit a completed ARWA form, along with proof of assessment withheld, within 30 days of the date of assessment to be eligible for refund. The date of assessment is the actual date of wheat sale or date wheat was placed under loan by the FSA.

Assessment Collection & Remittance

Wheat assessment is collected by the “first handler” (typically an elevator or feedlot) directly from the producer and then remitted to the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee (CWAC). A “Wheat Assessment Reporting Form” and full instructions can be obtained from CWAC.