USDA Issues Final ELRP Payments for 2023–2024 Livestock Losses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued final payments under the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) for producers affected by drought, flooding and wildfires in 2023 and 2024.

According to USDA, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) distributed more than $1.89 billion in total assistance. Payments are authorized under the American Relief Act, 2025, which provides $2 billion in emergency relief for eligible livestock producers.

Drought and Wildfire (Federally Managed Lands)

• Producers previously received an initial ELRP payment that was factored at 35%.
• FSA has now issued an automatic second payment equal to 8.2% of the producer’s 2023 or 2024 Livestock Forage Disaster Program gross calculated payment.
  The final payment factor is 43.2%.
• Total assistance for drought and wildfire losses exceeds $1.289 billion.

Flood and Wildfire (Non-Federally Managed Lands)

• FSA determined a payment factor was not necessary.
• Approved applicants are receiving 100% of their calculated ELRP payment.
• Payments are issued in a single lump sum.
• Total flood and wildfire recovery assistance totals $604 million.

Why Payments Were Adjusted

“Livestock operations across the country were disrupted in 2023 and 2024 by catastrophic floods, drought, wildfires, and poor forage conditions. President Trump has ensured our farmers, ranchers and producers have the tools and assistance necessary to continue their operations after they were impacted at no fault of their own. If the men and women who feed America cannot continue their operations, then our national security is at risk. We are working every day to ensure America’s food supply remains safe, stable, and secure,” said Secretary Rollins. “Due to the program demand for drought and wildfire assistance, initial payments were factored to ensure total program payments did not exceed available funding. Additional funds remain so we are delivering on our Farmers First commitment to livestock producers and issuing a second payment in addition to making a full payment, with no factor, to eligible producers who applied for flood and wildfire recovery assistance.”

Payment Limits

• ELRP 2023 and 2024 programs have a combined payment limit of $125,000 per program year.
• Producers who already received the maximum payment for drought and wildfire losses are not eligible for additional payments.
• Eligible producers may submit Form FSA-510 to request an exception to increase the limit to $250,000.
• The deadline to request an exception is November 2, 2026.

USDA stated that payments are being issued automatically to eligible applicants.