USDA to provide relief for livestock producers impacted by drought, wildfire

On May 29, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins delivered on her May 7 commitment to release Congressionally mandated Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to cover grazing losses due to eligible drought or wildfire events in 2023 and/or 2024 by May 30.

To streamline payment calculations and expedite relief, the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) will leverage existing Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) data. Payments will automatically go to producers with an approved LFP application on file for 2023 and/or 2024, and do not have to contact USDA to receive payments.

“The Department of Agriculture is stepping up to support livestock producers by expediting disaster payments when drought and wildfires strike,” Rollins said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA has the backs of ranchers, and that’s why we are delivering much-needed emergency relief ahead of schedule.”

The funds of $1 billion for emergency relief payments were provided by the American Relief Act, 2025, the first of two programs authorized to assist with eligible losses suffered by livestock producers. ELRP payments will be factored at 35% due to FSA’s expectation of demand for the program to be strong. FSA may issue a second payment if additional funds remain. FSA will announce additional ELRP assistance for other losses authorized by the Act, including flooding, later this summer.