Livestock producers impacted by drought and wildfire events in 2023 and 2024 will soon receive much-needed financial support, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) begins issuing Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments ahead of schedule. The payments aim to offset grazing losses and provide swift relief for ranchers facing mounting pressures from adverse weather.
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is utilizing data from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) to calculate and distribute payments efficiently. Eligible producers with approved LFP applications for 2023 or 2024 will automatically receive assistance—no additional action is required on their part.
This round of funding, part of the Congressionally mandated American Relief Act of 2025, marks the first of two phases designed to aid livestock producers affected by a range of weather-related disasters. The initial ELRP payments will be factored at 35% due to expected high demand. Should funds remain, a second round of payments may be issued.
In addition to support for drought and wildfire losses, the USDA plans to roll out further ELRP assistance later this summer, including relief for flooding and other eligible events.
Producers seeking to track the progress of USDA disaster programs can visit the newly launched 2023/2024 Supplemental Disaster Assistance landing page, which provides updates and rollout timelines for all related support measures.
The American Relief Act also includes $10 billion in economic loss assistance for covered commodity producers, with more than $7.7 billion already distributed through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). The deadline to apply for ECAP is August 15, 2025. Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office for program details and support.
For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov.
