USDA Bridge Payments Fall Short for Indiana Soybean Growers

Soybean farmers in Indiana express disappointment over low prices in USDA's latest aid program

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:55am

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After the United States Department of Agriculture released its latest bridge payment program to support farmers, soybean growers in Indiana are voicing concerns that the payments for soybeans were among the lowest on the sheet, leaving them struggling to make ends meet amid ongoing trade challenges and rising input costs.

Why it matters

The bridge payments are intended to provide a financial lifeline for farmers to make it from one year to the next, but the low soybean prices in this round of aid have left many Indiana soybean producers feeling the program fell short of adequately supporting their operations.

The details

Denise Scarborough, a director with the American Soybean Association, said the soybean payments were "disappointing" as the industry has faced some of the hardest hits from trade tensions and tariffs, particularly with China. Farmers want access to free trade and open markets to sell their commodities, rather than relying on government aid programs.

  • The USDA released the latest bridge payment program in January 2026.

The players

Denise Scarborough

A director with the American Soybean Association who expressed disappointment over the low soybean prices in the USDA's bridge payment program.

American Soybean Association

An industry group representing soybean farmers that is working with government officials to advocate for soybean products and free trade opportunities.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The federal agency that released the latest round of bridge payments to support farmers, which included lower-than-expected prices for soybeans.

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What they’re saying

“They were disappointing on the soybean side. We've had some of the hardest hits to the soybean products with the tariffs and with China and what we've had going on over there trying to ship product internationally.”

— Denise Scarborough, Director, American Soybean Association (hoosieragtoday.com)

“We're one of the only industries that buys retail and sells wholesale so we don't have any control over those prices for inputs and then what were selling our grain for. Anything we go to, we don't want the aid.”

— Denise Scarborough, Director, American Soybean Association (hoosieragtoday.com)

What’s next

The American Soybean Association continues to work with government officials in Washington, D.C. to advocate for soybean products and push for free trade opportunities that could provide more sustainable support for soybean farmers.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges facing soybean producers in Indiana and across the country, as they struggle to navigate trade tensions, rising input costs, and government aid programs that may not fully meet their needs. Farmers are seeking long-term solutions that provide them with more control over commodity prices and access to open markets.