USDA Announces Delay of Effective Date of Grower Payment Systems Final Rule

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it has delayed the effective date of the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems final rule from July 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2027.

USDA published the final rule under the Biden Administration on Jan. 16, 2025, that amended 9 CFR Part 201 of its regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act) (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.). The final rule was promulgated in support of the Biden Executive Order 14036 (86 Fed. Reg. 36987 (July 9, 2021)), which was revoked by President Trump via Executive Order 14337 on Aug. 13, 2025. (90 Fed. Reg. 40227 (Aug. 13, 2025)). On March 18, 2026, USDA published a proposed rule to delay the effective date, soliciting public comment. AMS received over 2,800 comments in response from farmer associations, poultry and meat industry trade associations, integrated live poultry dealers, non-integrated poultry dealers, poultry growers, farm advocacy organizations, and members of the general public. Supporters of the proposed delay included one large poultry integrator, two meat and poultry trade associations, and several individuals affiliated with non-integrated poultry companies that do not have control over all their inputs. Various poultry growers and grower organizations opposed this proposal.

This delay is in alignment with Congressional direction, and given the significant estimated costs, policy and legal issues commenters identified with the Payment Systems final rule, a delayed effective date of Dec. 31, 2027, will allow for thorough consideration of these matters.

For more information, view the final rule in the Federal Register.

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