USDA Montana Newsletter - March 2026
In This Issue:
USDA in Montana reminds agricultural producers of important Farm Service Agency (FSA) program dates. Contact your local service center to apply and with any questions. Visit online at farmers.gov and fsa.usda.gov/mt.
March 31, 2026: Deadline to apply for Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) and Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP) for Barley, Canola, Crambe, Flaxseed, Honey, Oats, Rapeseed, Seed Cotton, Sesame seed and Wheat.
April 17, 2026: Enrollment for General CRP will run from March 9, 2026, through April 17, 2026.
April 17, 2026: Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program enrollment period closes
April 30, 2026: Deadline to apply for Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Stage 1 and Stage 2
May 25, 2026: Office Closure for the Federal Holiday: Memorial Day
May 31, 2026: Deadline to apply for Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) and Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP) for corn, cotton, dry peas, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, rice, safflower seed, chickpeas, soybeans sunflower seed
*Note:
- The Acreage Reporting Date for Spring Alfalfa Seed, all other spring seeded crops, Perennial Forage, Hemp, Grazing acreage and CRP acres is 15 days before the onset of harvest or grazing, or July 15, whichever is earlier.
- The Acreage Reporting Date for your NAP covered crops is the earlier of the established FSA acreage reporting date for the crop or 15 calendar days before the onset of harvest or grazing of the specific crop acreage being reported.
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There are reportedly some rumors swirling around that some FSA offices in Montana are closing. Those rumors are false. Due to extenuating circumstances, a few FSA offices are temporarily short-staffed and not open every workday, However, these offices are not closed and are not closing. Please continue to work with your local FSA office for assistance with our programs, and please be patient with us as we work hard to provide all Montana farmers and ranchers with great customer service.
As mentioned in my previous month’s message, pre-filled applications for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program are now available online to producers with a Login.gov account who timely filed their 2025 crop acreage report for eligible commodities. If you have a Login.gov account, you can access and submit your pre-filled application from fsa.usda.gov/fba. Applying online will likely expedite your FBA payment. You can also request your pre-filled FBA application from your FSA county office. Although a 2025 acreage report is an eligibility requirement for FBA, producers must still submit an FBA program application to receive payment.
The Trump Administration continues to put Farmers First by streamlining programs like FBA to ensure producers like you spend more time in the field and less time on paperwork. The goal is to make life easier, more profitable and more rewarding for American farmers.
As a reminder, the enrollment period for the General Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is ongoing.
The deadline for both the FBA and General CRP enrollment is April 17, 2026.
Additionally, applications are currently being accepted for assistance through both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP). Stage 2 helps agricultural producers who suffered eligible non-indemnified, uncovered, or quality crop losses due to qualifying natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. Producers have until April 30, 2026, to apply for the SDRP.
Spring means that many of you are getting ready to start planting this year’s crop. Be sure to make an appointment to complete your acreage reporting as many of our programs rely on this information. It’s also a good time to make sure to report any farm changes you’ve experienced.
Have a great month!
Mike Foster
State Executive Director, Montana FSA
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened the enrollment period for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program, providing $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop producers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The FBA enrollment period opened Feb. 23 and closes April 17, 2026.
These bridge payments are authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and are administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Bridge payments are intended in part to aid farmers until historic investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), including reference prices which are set to increase between 10-21% for major covered commodities and will reach eligible farmers after Oct. 1, 2026.
How to Apply
Pre-filled applications will be available online to producers with a Login.gov account who timely filed their 2025 crop acreage report for eligible commodities. Producers who have a Login.gov account can access and submit their pre-filled application from fsa.usda.gov/fba. Additionally, producers can also request their pre-filled FBA application from their FSA county office.
April 17, 2026, is the deadline to submit completed FBA applications. Producers can complete FBA applications online or submit to their FSA county office.
Login.gov
Login.gov is the public’s one account for government. Producers can use one account and password for secure, private access to participating government agencies, including FSA.
To apply for FBA online, producers can start by visiting fsa.usda.gov/fba. to create their Login.gov account. Producers who have an existing Login.gov account, can work with FSA using their existing account.
With a secure Login.gov account, producers can be amongst the first to apply for FBA allowing them to view, certify, and submit their application as well as track their application and payment status.
For assistance creating a Login.gov account, visit https://login.gov/help/.
Eligibility
The following commodities are eligible for FBA: Barley, Chickpeas, Corn, Cotton, Lentils, Oats, Peanuts, Peas, Rice, Sorghum, Soybeans, Wheat, Canola, Crambe, Flax, Mustard, Rapeseed, Safflower, Sesame, and Sunflower.
All intended uses for FBA eligible commodities are eligible excluding grazing, experimental, green manure, left standing, or cover crops. Initial acres, double crop acres, and subsequently planted acres, are eligible. Prevent plant acres are not eligible.
Crop insurance linkage is not required; however, USDA strongly urges producers to take advantage of the new risk management tools provided for in OBBBA to best protect against future price risk and volatility.
Payment Calculation
In December, USDA released the payment rates by commodity. FBA payment rates are based on 2025 planted acres, Economic Research Service cost of production, and the World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate Report.
More information on FBA is available online at fsa.usda.gov/fba. Producers can also contact their local FSA county office
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USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is delivering more than $16 billion in total Congressionally approved disaster relief. FSA is accepting applications for assistance through the second stage of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) from agricultural producers who suffered eligible non-indemnified, uncovered or quality crop losses due to qualifying natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
Stage Two covers eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses that were not covered under Stage One program provisions, including non-indemnified (shallow loss), uncovered and quality losses. Although the majority of payments from the first stage are already in the hands of producers helping them prepare for and invest in the next crop year, Stage One assistance, announced in July, remains available to producers who received an indemnity under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for eligible crop losses due to qualifying 2023 and 2024 natural disaster events.
The deadline to apply for both Stage One and Stage Two assistance is April 30, 2026.
SDRP Stage Two Program Details
SDRP Stage Two provides assistance for eligible crop, tree, bush and vine losses not covered under Stage One, including:
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Non-Indemnified Losses (Including Shallow Losses)
- Insured losses through federal crop insurance that did not trigger a crop insurance indemnity.
- Losses with NAP coverage that did not trigger a NAP payment.
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Uncovered Losses (Uninsured Losses)
- Includes losses that were not insured through federal crop insurance or NAP.
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Quality Losses
- Includes quality losses to commodities indicated by:
- A decrease in value based on discounts due to the physical condition of the crop supported by applicable grading factors
- A decline in the nutritional value of forage crops supported by documented forage tests.
- Producers will certify to an SDRP quality loss percentage.
FSA is establishing block grants with Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Massachusetts that cover crop losses; therefore, producers with losses on land physically located in these states are not eligible for SDRP program payments.
For information on program eligibility and to download an application checklist, visit fsa.usda.gov/sdrp.
More information will be provided in early 2026 regarding a separate enrollment period for quality losses covered by SDRP Stage One as well as for insured producers in Puerto Rico who were not included in Stage One because data was not available when pre-filled applications were mailed.
To make an appointment to apply, contact your local FSA county office
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The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) provides technical and financial assistance to owners of nonindustrial private forestland whose forestland was damaged by a qualifying natural disaster event.
EFRP can provide crucial assistance to producers after a natural disaster, but there are a few “myths” about the program that we want to dispel.
Myth: EFRP assists landowners with removal of a dead or damaged tree in their yard.
Fact: EFRP helps with the removal of dead or damaged trees as part of a reforestation project and must be on land that meets the definition of nonindustrial private forestland, is at least 120 feet wide, one acre in size, and at least 10% covered by live trees of any size. If the landowner’s yard does not meet these criteria, then the land is not eligible for EFRP. EFRP requires a landowner to incur at least $1,000 in forest restoration costs to be eligible for assistance. (Minimum restoration costs may be set at a higher level by the FSA State Committee). Finally, eligible forestland must have damage to natural resources caused by the natural disaster event that, if not treated, would impair natural resources on the land and materially affect the future use of the land. For example, damage to natural resources on nonindustrial private forestland could include trees that have died or were damaged by the natural disaster event and where it’s determined that removal and restoration is needed to restore forest health and future use of the land.
To read the full blog visit farmers.gov/blog/myth-busters-learn-facts-about-emergency-forest-restoration-program.
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a program administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to conserve farmland for future generations while providing habitat for wildlife, reducing soil erosion, and improving water quality. Regular maintenance on CRP acres is needed to ensure the acreage continues to provide conservation benefits and remains in compliance with the CRP contract.
Regular Maintenance
Producers with CRP contracts are required to control all weeds, insects, pests, and other undesirable species to the extent necessary to ensure that the approved conservation cover is adequately protected and to ensure there is no adverse impact on surrounding land. Mowing is one of the allowable practices for weed control, but mowing for aesthetic purposes is never permitted. The Conservation Plan states the required weed control methods for each site.
Once a stand has been certified as fully established, participants are required to maintain plant diversity and stand density according to the Conservation Plan and offer (CRP-2) for the life of the contract. Stands that do not meet practice specific plant diversity or density requirements may be considered non-compliant. Refer to your conservation plan or contact FSA if you have any questions or concerns about the vegetative cover requirements.
Maintenance activities cannot occur during the primary nesting season for birds without written prior approval from the local county office. The primary nesting season in State is May 15 through July 15.
Mid-Contract Management
Regular maintenance for weed and pest control is separate from the Mid-Contract Management (MCM) requirement. MCM ensures plant diversity and wildlife benefits while ensuring protection of the soil and water resources. Such activities are site-specific and are for the purpose of enhancing the approved cover.
MCM must be completed between years four and six of a 10-year contract and between years seven and nine of a 15-year contract. The Conservation Plan will state what year MCM must take place.
Noncompliance with Maintenance Requirements
Failure to adequately maintain the stand may result in noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the CRP contract. Noncompliance can result in adverse actions up to and including termination of the CRP contract. Contracts that are out of compliance are ineligible to re-enroll, unless the stand is brought back into compliance prior to the enrollment deadline.
For general information about CRP, visit the Conservation Reserve Program webpage. For information about specific contracts, reach out to the local FSA office.
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Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions are required. Farmers with HEL determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to breaking sod, clearing land (tree removal), and of any drainage projects (tiling, ditching, etc.) to ensure compliance. Failure to update certification of compliance, with form AD-1026, triggering applicable HEL and/or wetland determinations, for any of these situations, can result in the loss of FSA farm program payments, FSA farm loans, NRCS program payments, and premium subsidy to Federal Crop Insurance administered by RMA.
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Farmers can use USDA farm ownership microloans to buy and improve property. These microloans are especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations. Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expenses since 2013.
Microloans can also help with farmland and building purchases and soil and water conservation improvements. FSA designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).
To learn more about the FSA microloan program, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov/microloans.
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Farm loan borrowers who have pledged real estate as security for their Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct or guaranteed loans are responsible for maintaining loan collateral. Borrowers must obtain prior consent or approval from FSA or the guaranteed lender for any transaction that affects real estate security. These transactions include, but are not limited to:
- Leases of any kind
- Easements of any kind
- Subordinations
- Partial releases
- Sales
Failure to meet or follow the requirements in the loan agreement, promissory note, and other security instruments could lead to nonmonetary default which could jeopardize your current and future loans.
It is critical that borrowers keep an open line of communication with their FSA loan staff or guaranteed lender when it comes to changes in their operation. For more information on borrower responsibilities, read Your FSA Farm Loan Compass.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reopening its call for nominations on three Secretarial appointments to the USDA Tribal Advisory Committee. These members will be appointed by Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins and will be expected to serve a three-year term. Appointed members will serve with eight Congressionally appointed Committee members.
Nomination applications are due by March 31, 2026, at Tribal.Relations@usda.gov. Self-nomination may not be permitted. Nominations may only be submitted by the following Tribal entity categories:
- Indian Tribes as defined by 25 U.S.C. 5304.
- Tribal organizations as defined by 25 U.S.C. 5304
- National or regional organizations with expertise in issues relating to Tribal Advisory Committee duties, including intertribal organizations, tribal-serving organizations, colleges/universities, and community-based lending organizations.
Information on submitting a complete nomination package is available at https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-04387. Only complete nomination packages will be accepted for review. Questions may be directed to Josiah Griffin, Designated Federal Officer for the USDA Office of Tribal Relations, at (202) 205-2249 or Tribal.Relations@usda.gov.
The Committee consists of eleven members in total and represents a balance of geography, Indian Tribes, and the agriculture industry. More information about Committee membership and previously submitted recommendations is available on the Tribal Advisory Committee webpage on the Office of Tribal Relations website.
Congress mandated the establishment of a USDA Tribal Advisory Committee in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) to provide advice and guidance to the Secretary on matters relating to Tribal and Indian affairs. Tribal Advisory Committee members are eligible to receive compensation for each day participating in full Committee meetings and related travel to in-person meetings. The Office of Tribal Relations provides oversight to this Committee pursuant to the 2018 farm bill and Federal Advisory Committee Act.
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for spring planted crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, Micro Farm and some specialty crops. Sales closing dates vary by crop and location, but the next major sales closing dates are Feb. 28, March 15 and April 15.
Producers are encouraged to visit their crop insurance agent soon to learn specific details for the upcoming crop year. Crop insurance coverage decisions must be made on or before the applicable sales closing date.
The USDA’s Risk Management Agency lists sales closing dates in the Actuarial Information Browser, under the “Dates” tab.
Producers can also access the RMA Map Viewer tool to visualize the insurance program date choices for acreage reporting, cancellation, contract change, earliest planting, end of insurance, end of late planting period, final planting, premium billing, production reporting, sales closing, and termination dates, when applicable, per commodity, insurance plan, type and practice. Additionally, producers can access the RMA Information Reporting System tool to specifically identify applicable dates for their operation, using the “Insurance Offer Reports” application.
Federal crop insurance is critical to the farm safety net. It helps producers and owners manage risk and strengthen the rural economy. Producers may select from several coverage options, including yield coverage, revenue protection and area risk plans of insurance.
Crop insurance options to manage revenue risks include Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and Micro Farm. Whole-Farm Revenue Protection provides a risk management safety net for all commodities on the farm under one insurance policy and is available in all counties nationwide. Micro Farm aims to help direct market and small-scale producers that may sell locally, and this policy simplifies record keeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added products.
Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. A list of crop insurance agents is available online at the RMA Agent Locator. Producers can learn more about crop insurance and the modern farm safety net at rma.usda.gov or by contacting their RMA Regional Office.
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USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts hundreds of surveys every year and prepares reports covering virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture.
If you receive a survey questionnaire, please respond quickly and online if possible.
Those who use NASS data are individuals, businesses, and organizations. They include large and small ag-based businesses, equipment manufacturers, service providers, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders – as well as data providers themselves. The results of the surveys help determine the structure of USDA farm programs, such as soil rental rates for the Conservation Reserve Program and prices and yields used for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs. This data is critical for USDA farm payment determinations. Survey responses also help associations, businesses and policymakers advocate for their industry and help educate others on the importance of agriculture.
NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.
Thank you to Montana farmers and ranchers for taking the time to respond to NASS surveys. To find results of NASS surveys, please visit https://www.nass.usda.gov.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rodger Ott, Regional Director, USDA NASS Mountain Regional Field Office, at 1-800-392-3202.
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Montana
USDA Farm Service Agency
PO Box 670
Bozeman, MT 59771
Phone: 406.587.6872
Fax: 855.546.0264
Web: www.fsa.usda.gov/mt
State Executive Director:
MICHAEL FOSTER
State Committee:
Carl Raabe Mattson | Chair
Gene Raymond Curry | Member
Brian Dale Eggebrecht | Member
Constance Ione Iversen | Member
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USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
10 East Babcock Street, Room 443
Bozeman, MT 59715-4704
Phone: 406-587-6811
Fax: 855-510-7028
Web: nrcs.usda.gov/montana
State Conservationist:
GAYLE BARRY
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USDA Risk Management Agency-Billings Regional Office
P.O. Box 80114
Billings, MT 59108
Phone: 406-657-6447
Fax: 406-657-6573
Email: RSOMT@usda.gov
Web:www.rma.usda.gov/rmalocal/montana
Acting Regional Director:
ALEXA TALKINGTON
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