Source: Flathead Beacon
“Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced the $12 billion bailout package that will include one-time Farmer Bridge Payments to American farmers. The relief is a ‘response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs,’ according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) release. … But [Tryg] Koch and agriculture economists say the plan hardly represents a bailout and will have little impact on Montana farmers as they brace for potential losses in 2026. … Koch estimates the package will grant $30 per acre for row crop farmers who produce things like wheat, canola and pulses. ‘The $30 per acre will help, but it’s a far cry from what the actual losses are,’ Koch said. ‘We don’t need government bailouts – that doesn’t solve the problem and all it does is put a Band-Aid over it to keep up with inflation. We should be selling wheat for $8 or $9 per bushel.'” (12/22/25)