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Farmer financial assistance could bridge funding gap

An ag policy specialist says when it comes to financial assistance for farmers, timing is everything.

Brad Lubben with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln says farmers are stuck in a financial gray area. “We did see some emergency assistance passed at the end of 2024 that’s paid out this year that helps some with cash flow, but we also are concerned about where cash flow is coming for this year and next.”

He tells Brownfield the One Big Beautiful Bill took significant steps strengthening the farm safety net. “But, keep in mind those are payments that don’t happen until 2026.”

Lubben says aid could come from the Commodity Credit Corporation at USDA or revenue generated from tariffs. “Whether it’s some emergency assistance passed through congressional action or whether it is some administrative programming at the secretary level, it’s quite possible to imagine some additional support to sort of help cash flow us until that new safety net kicks in.”

He says the next step would be to determine the amount of funds available.

Brad Lubben: