The USDA recently announced the launch of its Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP), the first federal livestock disaster assistance program designed to address feed losses from flooding. The program will compensate dairy farmers and other livestock producers for feed-related expenses stemming from qualifying floods in 2023 or 2024. ELRP’s $1 billion in available funding is intended to help offset the steep rise in supplemental feed costs and the resulting disruptions to milk production caused by feed shortages and animal stress during flood events.
The enrollment period for ELRP is open now and will run through Oct. 31. To apply, dairy producers must:
- Confirm county eligibility through USDA’s Approved Counties Dashboard.
- Prepare documentation on livestock inventories and locations at the time of flooding.
- Submit all required forms and records to their county FSA office before Oct. 31. Payments are expected to be issued after that date due to the anticipated high number of applicants.
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