President Donald Trump announced an $8 billion one-time farm aid plan Oct. 19, within a broader package valued above $15 billion and designed to ease farmers’ exposure to diesel and other input expenses.
The administration set out the wider support before Tuesday’s midterm elections, with loans and other initiatives also included. January is the expected start for payments under the one-time plan.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said its Economic Research Service (ERS) projected U.S. farm production expenses for 2026 at $492.8 billion, 4.5% more than its 2025 estimate. It projected fuel and oil expenses to rise 28.8% and fertilizer, lime and soil conditioner costs to increase 15.3%. Those were national projections, which EconoTimes previously covered in its farm expense outlook.
EconoTimes has also reported concerns that the $8 billion plan could fall short as costs rise.
