USDA Launches $1 Billion Relief Program for Livestock Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching new disaster recovery aid for livestock producers affected by floods and wildfires in 2023 and 2024. The Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) will provide about $1 billion in benefits to help cover rising supplemental feed costs. Producers can begin signing up September 15, with applications open until October 31, 2025.

Direct Support for Producers

“USDA is standing shoulder to shoulder with America’s farmers and ranchers, delivering the resources they need to stay in business, feed their families, and keep our food supply strong,” said Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. She emphasized that this program builds on earlier relief efforts and aims to move funds quickly into producers’ hands.

Who Qualifies

The program supports producers who faced higher feed costs because of qualifying floods or wildfires.

• In counties already designated as disaster areas, producers will not need extra paperwork.

• In other counties, applicants must provide documentation to prove a disaster occurred.

Eligible livestock include beef and dairy cattle, bison, sheep, goats, equine, and a range of alternative livestock such as deer, elk, alpacas, llamas, and ostriches.

Wildfire aid applies only to non-federal land and excludes producers who already received wildfire or drought assistance earlier this year.

Payment Details

The program uses the same monthly feed cost calculation as the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).

• Wildfire losses: up to 60% of one month’s feed costs

• Flood losses: up to three months of feed costs

• Payment cap: $125,000 per year, with possible exceptions up to $250,000 for eligible cases

How to Apply

Producers should contact their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to begin the application process. USDA has also launched an online disaster assistance page at fsa.usda.gov/elrp, which provides updates and tracks block grant timelines.

With this new aid package, USDA says it is working to keep livestock producers operating, even as floods and wildfires continue to strain feed supplies and rural economies.