Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion in direct payments to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year.
- Payments will help offset increased input costs and falling commodity prices.
- Pre-filled applications will be sent to eligible producers, and the signup period opens March 19, 2025.
- Producers must apply by August 15, 2025, either online or through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.
- Payments will be issued based on eligible crop acreage, with an initial payment factor of 85% to prevent exceeding available program funds.
USDA Latest News: Unveils $10 Billion ECAP Program to Support Farmers Amid Market Challenges
On National Agriculture Day, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the USDA will distribute up to $10 billion to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP).
The program, administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), aims to help farmers mitigate rising input costs and declining commodity prices.
According to Secretary Rollins: “Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the Trump Administration is ensuring they get the support they need without delay. With clear direction from Congress, USDA has prioritized streamlining the process and accelerating these payments ahead of schedule.”
This assistance is authorized under the American Relief Act of 2025 and will be based on planted and prevented planted crop acres for eligible commodities.
Eligible Commodities and Payment Rates For The USDA’s ECAP
The following per-acre payment rates apply to eligible commodities under ECAP:
Grains & Oilseeds
- Wheat – $30.69
- Corn – $42.91
- Soybeans – $29.76
- Sorghum – $42.52
- Barley – $21.67
- Oats – $77.66
Specialty & Other Crops
- Peanuts – $75.51
- Long & Medium Grain Rice – $76.94
- Upland & Extra-Long Staple Cotton – $84.74
- Mustard – $11.36
- Sunflower – $27.23
- Canola – $31.83
- Rapeseed – $23.63
- Safflower – $26.32
- Sesame – $16.83
Pulse Crops
- Dry Peas – $16.02
- Lentils – $19.30
- Small Chickpeas – $31.45
- Large Chickpeas – $24.02
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, producers must:
- Report 2024 planted and prevented planted acres using FSA Form FSA-578.
- Submit an acreage report to FSA by August 15, 2025, if they have not already done so.
- Meet program eligibility requirements, which can be found at fsa.usda.gov/ecap.
If a producer did not receive a pre-filled ECAP application but planted or prevented planting eligible crops in 2024, they should contact their local FSA office.
How to Apply for USDA’s ECAP
Producers must submit applications by August 15, 2025. Applications can be filed:
- Online at fsa.usda.gov/ecap using a secure login.gov account.
- In-person at an FSA county office.
- Electronically via Box and One-Span.
- By fax or email to their local FSA office.
Required Forms
If not already on file, producers must have the following FSA forms completed:
- AD-2047 – Customer Data Worksheet
- CCC-901 – Member Information for Legal Entities (if applicable)
- CCC-902 – Farm Operating Plan
- CCC-943 – 75% of Average Gross Income from Farming Certification (if applicable)
- AD-1026 – Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) & Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification
- SF-3881 – Direct Deposit Form
Most producers already enrolled in FSA programs likely have these forms on file. Those unsure should contact their local FSA office.
USDA’s ECAP Payments and Calculation
How ECAP Payments Are Calculated
Payments are determined using the formula:
Flat payment rate x eligible reported acres
For prevented planting acres, payments will be calculated at 50% of the per-acre rate.
Payment Distribution
- Initial payments will be issued at 85% to ensure total payments do not exceed available funding.
- A second payment may be issued if additional funds remain.
- Producers can estimate their ECAP payment using the USDA online calculator at fsa.usda.gov/ecap.
8 Comments