USDA Issues $1.8B in 2026 CRP Payments, New Enrollment Paused

TL;DR: USDA announced approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Grassland CRP payments to producers and landowners for 2026, the Farm Service Agency said on October 8, 2026. The payments cover existing contracts only. New CRP enrollment remains paused following the September 30, 2026 farm bill expiration.

Key takeaway

USDA is paying out $1.8 billion on existing CRP contracts for 2026, but no new CRP acres can enroll until Congress passes a new farm bill.

What happened

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program and Grassland CRP payments to producers and landowners for 2026. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) made the announcement on October 8, 2026.

The payments cover existing CRP contracts only. New CRP enrollment remains paused following the September 30, 2026 expiration of the farm bill. The pause directly reflects the lapse in authorization created when Congress did not pass a successor before that deadline.

Grassland CRP payments are included in the $1.8 billion figure alongside standard CRP payments. USDA tied the Grassland CRP payments to the Trump administration Ranchers First Initiative.

Separately, USDA Rural Development reported nearly $25 billion in rural loans and grants for fiscal year 2026, with the farm bill rural development title still in limbo. For how these conservation and rural provisions fit into the broader package, see our full bill summary and funding breakdown.

What it means

Producers with active CRP contracts will still receive their 2026 rental payments. The $1.8 billion disbursement is unaffected by the expiration because it funds obligations already under contract.

The practical impact falls on landowners who wanted to enroll new acres. With new sign-ups paused, no new general or continuous CRP contracts can be initiated until Congress reauthorizes the program. That affects landowners planning to idle environmentally sensitive cropland or add grassland acres this cycle.

• Existing CRP contract holders: Payments proceed as scheduled, totaling about $1.8 billion for 2026.
• Grassland CRP participants: Payments included in the total and linked to the Ranchers First Initiative.
• Landowners seeking new enrollment: On hold until a new farm bill passes.

The enrollment freeze is one of several conservation functions caught in the authorization lapse. For a side-by-side of how conservation provisions compare to the prior law, see our comparison with the 2018 Farm Bill and what's missing during the gap.

What's next

New CRP enrollment is expected to resume once Congress passes and the President signs a successor to the expired farm bill. As of October 8, 2026, the Agri-Pulse Daybreak item described farm bill passage odds as improving, which adds context to how long the enrollment pause may last.

No firm date for reauthorization has been set as of October 9, 2026. The timing of a new farm bill will determine when new CRP sign-ups reopen and when the rural development title regains full authority. Readers tracking the legislative schedule can follow our timeline and status and Senate status pages.

Producers with questions about existing contracts should contact their local FSA office. Those wanting to weigh in on the reauthorization timeline can use our contact Congress resource.

Frequently asked questions

How much is USDA paying in CRP payments for 2026?

USDA announced approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program and Grassland CRP payments to producers and landowners for 2026. The Farm Service Agency made the announcement on October 8, 2026. The figure includes both standard CRP payments and Grassland CRP payments. These payments cover existing CRP contracts and are not affected by the farm bill expiration.

Can I still enroll new acres in CRP right now?

No. New CRP enrollment remains paused following the September 30, 2026 farm bill expiration. The pause reflects the lapse in authorization created when Congress did not pass a successor to the expired farm bill. Existing contracts still receive payments, but new general and continuous CRP sign-ups are on hold until a new farm bill is passed and signed into law.

Will existing CRP contract holders still get paid?

Yes. The approximately $1.8 billion in 2026 payments covers existing CRP contracts only. Producers and landowners with active contracts will receive their scheduled payments. The expiration of the farm bill affects new enrollment, not payments owed on obligations already under contract. Grassland CRP participants are included in the total.

What is Grassland CRP and how is it funded here?

Grassland CRP is a part of the Conservation Reserve Program that supports working grazing lands while protecting them from conversion. Its payments are included in the approximately $1.8 billion total USDA announced for 2026. USDA tied the Grassland CRP payments to the Trump administration Ranchers First Initiative.

When will new CRP enrollment reopen?

New CRP enrollment is expected to resume once Congress passes and the President signs a new farm bill. No firm date has been set as of October 9, 2026. As of October 8, 2026, Agri-Pulse described farm bill passage odds as improving, but the enrollment pause continues until reauthorization is complete.

Does the farm bill lapse affect rural development funding too?

USDA Rural Development reported nearly $25 billion in rural loans and grants for fiscal year 2026, but the farm bill rural development title remains in limbo during the authorization lapse. The expiration affects the status of the rural development title alongside new CRP enrollment, while already committed funds continue to flow.

Sources

• USDA Farm Service Agency , announcement of $1.8 billion in 2026 CRP and Grassland CRP payments, dated 2026-10-08.
• USDA Rural Development , nearly $25 billion in rural loans and grants for FY2026, dated 2026-10-08.
• Agri-Pulse , Daybreak item noting farm bill passage odds improving, dated 2026-10-08.