Key Takeaways
- USDA is issuing Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments for 2023–2024 drought and wildfire losses.
- Payments are based on existing Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) data; no new applications are required.
- ELRP payments are funded by the American Relief Act, 2025, and initially factored at 35%.
- Additional ELRP assistance for other types of losses (e.g., flooding) will be announced later in 2025.
- USDA has delivered over $7.7 billion in economic loss assistance to commodity producers through ECAP.
USDA Latest News: Launches ELRP Payments to Support Livestock Producers Impacted by Drought and Wildfire
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the early release of Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to eligible livestock producers who experienced grazing losses due to drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024. The announcement, made by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, fulfills a prior commitment to deliver the payments by May 30, doing so ahead of schedule.
These payments are part of a broader USDA effort to streamline disaster relief using existing application data and minimize the burden on producers.
Automatic Payments Through Existing USDA Systems
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is utilizing data from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) to determine eligibility and calculate payment amounts. Producers who already have an approved LFP application on file for the applicable years will receive ELRP payments automatically, without the need to contact USDA or submit additional forms.
According to Secretary Rollins, “The Department of Agriculture is stepping up to support livestock producers by expediting disaster payments when drought and wildfires strike. USDA has the backs of ranchers, and that’s why we are delivering much-needed emergency relief ahead of schedule.”
Funding and Payment Structure
The ELRP payments are funded through the American Relief Act, 2025. This program is the first of two ELRP initiatives intended to assist livestock producers facing qualifying losses. Payments in this initial round are calculated at 35% of eligible amounts to account for projected demand. A second payment may be issued later in the year if funds remain available.
Later in 2025, FSA will announce additional ELRP support for other weather-related losses, including those due to flooding.
USDA News: Supplemental Disaster Assistance and ECAP Updates
As part of the broader disaster response authorized by the American Relief Act, USDA has committed to transparency through a public-facing timeline and status updates. Producers can monitor the progress of various USDA assistance programs, including block grants and commodity relief, via the 2023/2024 Supplemental Disaster Assistance page at fsa.usda.gov.
In addition to ELRP, the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) has provided over $7.7 billion in economic loss assistance to commodity producers based on 2024 planted and prevented planted acres. The application deadline for ECAP is August 15, 2025.
8 Comments