USDA has begun issuing more than $1.75 billion in emergency relief payments to eligible producers following natural disasters in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will pay more than $581 million in 2021 and 2022 drought and wildfire emergency relief to eligible ranchers. Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments for losses suffered in 2021 are being finalized, with Phase Two payments estimated at $115.7 million.
The second round of payments will be equal to 20% of the 2021 gross ELRP Phase One payment. Phase Two payments will be automatic with no application required. ELRP payments for 2022 losses are estimated at $465.4 million and will be applied automatically.
FSA is expediting payments by using livestock inventories and drought-affected forage acreage or restricted animal units and grazing days due to wildfire already reported by ranchers when they submitted their Livestock Forage Disaster Program applications. Emergency Relief Program Phase Two crop payments will total more than $1.17 billion.
