Farmers First Program Improvements Deliver Bigger Safety Net for Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture marked a milestone this week, and farmers stand to benefit. On July 8, 2026, USDA announced final Farmers First program improvements to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. President Donald J. Trump signed the Act into law on July 4, 2025, and these changes now strengthen disaster assistance and commodity loan programs for producers across the country.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins made the announcement in Washington, D.C. Because natural disasters and shifting market prices hit farm families hard, the department focused on building a stronger safety net. As a result, USDA’s Farm Service Agency, or FSA, is expanding help for livestock producers, orchardists, nursery tree growers, and cotton and sugar farmers.
“As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, we also celebrate our all-important farmers,” Rollins said. She added that the administration wants assistance “that works for them, not against them.”
Stronger Disaster Assistance in the Farmers First Program Improvements
The Farmers First program improvements bring meaningful changes to several disaster programs. For example, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program, known as ELAP, now covers farm-raised fish losses caused by birds that feed on them. Retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026, that coverage carries a payment rate of $600 per acre. Additionally, FSA will apply a 15% normal mortality rate for honeybee colony losses in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, or LFP, becomes easier to qualify for. Previously, producers waited eight weeks of severe drought to trigger a one-month payment. Now, four consecutive weeks of D2 drought conditions on the U.S. Drought Monitor will do it. Furthermore, seven out of eight qualifying weeks can trigger a two-month payment.
The Livestock Indemnity Program, or LIP, also sees key upgrades. Starting this year, payments rise to 100% of market value for losses from endangered or protected predators, up from 75%. Producers may also document regional price premiums above the national average. In addition, LIP now covers unborn livestock losses dating back to Jan. 1, 2024. In most cases, those 2024 and 2025 payments will be automatic, so producers need not act.
Help for Orchardists Under Farmers First Program Improvements
Tree growers gain support through the Tree Assistance Program, or TAP. Retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026, FSA removed the 15% normal mortality rate. Consequently, more growers can qualify to replant or rehabilitate trees, bushes and vines after a disaster. The reimbursement rate for pruning and removal climbs, and the implementation window now extends to 24 months, with an option to extend further.
Marketing Assistance Loans Get a Boost
Beyond disaster aid, the Farmers First program improvements also strengthen commodity lending. Marketing Assistance Loans, or MALs, help producers manage cash flow until prices improve. Instead of taking a loan, producers may choose a Loan Deficiency Payment, or LDP, for immediate support. Because both are reauthorized through crop year 2031, growers gain long-term certainty. Starting in 2026, loan rates rise for all eligible commodities.
Cotton and Sugar Producers See Targeted Changes
Cotton and sugar farmers receive several tailored updates. First, the cotton storage credit cap increases for the 2026 crop. Additionally, FSA updated the prevailing world market price for upland cotton, using the three lowest-price growth quotes rather than five, retroactive to July 4, 2025. The agency will also calculate a new weekly world market price for extra-long staple cotton.
Furthermore, FSA now authorizes refunds on upland cotton loan redemptions when the Adjusted World Price falls within 30 days of repayment. Producers who request an LDP may qualify for an additional disbursement if a lower price is announced. Finally, the sugar program extends through 2031, with higher raw cane and refined beet sugar loan rates and adjusted marketing allotments for beet sugar processors.
What This Means for Farm Families
Taken together, these Farmers First program improvements represent a significant investment in American agriculture. Last month, FSA expanded payment limitation provisions and offered a base acre increase opportunity. Producers will also benefit from higher reference prices this fall. Because farming carries real risk, a dependable safety net matters to the families who feed the nation. Producers should watch for further guidance as these changes take effect, and reach out early to plan for the season ahead.
To learn more, producers can visit the program pages at fsa.usda.gov, review the Federal Register notice, or contact their local FSA office.