WASHINGTON (DTN) -- Title I commodity producers are expected to receive assistance through USDA's $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief Program, announced two weeks ago on the midterm campaign trail with President Donald Trump.

USDA payments would cover a portion of modeled losses for the 2026 crop year. Eligible producers would access prefilled applications through an online account on Login.gov.

The aid is welcomed, with some caution, by grower groups such as the National Association of Wheat Growers.

"Policy decisions, whether it be geopolitical strife, inflation, you name it, are impacting growers negatively," said Sam Kieffer, NAWG's CEO. "The business plan that they are executing was written before fuel increased by 65%, before trading partners started pulling back, before steel and aluminum tariffs started causing repair parts to increase 60% to 80%."

Because the season hasn't ended, Kieffer said he still has more questions about the program.

Some wheat growers are both planting and harvesting this fall, exposing them to elevated fuel costs during two stages of production.

Many other crop producers face those costs primarily during harvest. Kieffer said he's working with USDA to address those differences before payment guidance is released.

However, not every crop producer has confidence that aid is reaching them.

"We also have questions about how this program will serve specialty crop growers, who have been asked to submit their own cost data with no clarity yet on whether or how they'll be covered," the National Farmers Union said in a statement.

While assistance for non-Title I commodities, including sugar beets, aquaculture and specialty crops, remains under "consideration," the agency is seeking additional information to help determine payment rates.

USDA encourages producers and industry groups to submit fuel-consumption data to HarvestFuel@usda.gov.

"I don't have a timeline, but, you know, it's not going to be a great long time after we get the Title I piece of it announced," USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce told Brownfield on Monday, referring to non-Title I aid.

Grower groups aren't expecting payments in 2026. "I can't imagine that the agency is going to be able to get things out much faster than three months," Kieffer said.

Historically, under previous ad hoc assistance programs, producers have waited an average of three months between the announcement of payment rates and receiving funds. The Specialty Crop Farmer Bridge Assistance Program in 2026, for example, took nearly four months.

That timeline could push fuel payments into 2027, ending the year with $47.4 billion spent on direct government farm payments, according to USDA calculations.

LIVESTOCK AND FORESTRY SEEK ASSISTANCE

While crop producers secured diesel relief, livestock and forestry organizations are asking the department to address fuel costs in their industries.

The Forest Resources Association is seeking a separate diesel fuel relief program for logging and log-hauling businesses.

"Logging and timber-hauling businesses are the backbone of the forest products supply chain, yet they are currently absorbing unsustainable, multi-thousand-dollar weekly spikes in diesel costs with zero federal support," said Tim O'Hara, president and CEO of the Forest Resources Association. "While we fully support assistance for agricultural producers, we urge the USDA to recognize that forestry contractors face the exact same fuel volatility and operational pressures, and we ask the Secretary to establish a targeted relief program before surging costs cripple our rural logging and hauling capacity."

In an Oct. 27 letter, the association pointed to the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers program, known as PATHH, as a precedent for targeted federal assistance. The association urged USDA to recognize timber harvesters and haulers as essential, diesel-dependent supply chain partners and establish a relief program to protect the nation's wood supply.

The U.S. Cattlemen's Association criticized the administration's approach for not explicitly addressing transportation costs facing cattle producers.

"If the Administration is looking at impacts to agriculture by record high fuel prices, each industry should be considered," said Justin Tupper, president of the U.S. Cattlemen's Association.

The organization pointed to the costs of transporting calves to market and paying livestock haulers to move cattle to sale barns. "Every dollar pulled into short-term fuel relief is a dollar that is no longer available to support herd rebuilding and the kind of targeted investments that help producers stand on their own two feet," Tupper said.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Tuesday he would support extending assistance to livestock producers.

"To me that's all part of agriculture. So, the answer is yes. I'd support that," Grassley said in response to a reporter's question.

THE FIGHT FOR FARM AID IS NOT OVER

Republican lawmakers continue to distinguish the $8 billion fuel relief program from a separate $12 billion farm assistance package. They argue the new program should not reduce direct aid for farmers facing market and weather losses.

Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said the $12 billion request remains necessary.

"We believe that at least $12 billion is still necessary to help farmers recover from their market and weather losses in 2025 and 2026. The Harvest Fuel Relief Program is focused on addressing the rising input costs producers are facing right now," Fischer said in a statement to DTN.

NAWG also supports additional assistance.

"They're humble people (farmers), but they haven't been able to reinvest in their business in several years. They've burned through equity, and they are in survival mode," Kieffer said.

Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., said lawmakers would continue pursuing additional assistance alongside Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D.

"We've been working with Senator Hoeven since January to advance a farm assistance package through the Senate. We will continue looking for a vehicle to deliver this critical support at the level approved by the House because family farms feed America and they need help maintaining their operations," Boozman said in a statement.

The House has already passed a $12 billion budget framework for farm aid in August.

Senate Republicans are following the supplemental request made by the White House, which was $87.6 billion, including $11.1 billion in total agricultural assistance. The breakout includes $10 billion in temporary economic assistance for 2026 row crops and specialty crops, plus $1.1 billion for Florida agricultural producers recovering from severe winter storms.

But agricultural funding tied to military spending could be at risk.

Politico reported Friday that the Pentagon plans to scale back President Donald Trump's record defense budget by $400 billion. That could affect the supplemental spending request, which includes farm aid.

The National Defense Authorization Act and other year-end spending legislation have been discussed as potential vehicles for additional assistance. However, funding is more likely to be included in an omnibus spending package, according to discussions with four agricultural trade associations and lobbyists.

Farm Groups Weigh In on $8 Billion in Diesel Aid, Press for Long-Term Solutions

https://www.dtnpf.com/…

See: Rollins Announces $8 Billion in Harvest Fuel Aid

https://www.dtnpf.com/…

See: House GOP Budget Blueprint Authorizes Up to $12B in Farm Aid

https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Jake Zajkowski can be reached at jake.zajkowski@dtn.com

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