WUD Staff highlighted a variety of USDA programs on last week’s episode of Seen & Herd that can provide some relief for drought conditions that have persisted through 2021 & 2022. Be sure to check out the podcast and reach out to your local USDA Service Center for assistance if your farm may qualify for any of the programs listed.

Pasture, Range & Forage Program (PRF): Offered via USDA’s Risk Management Agency, PRF is an insurance-based program that is accessed via a qualified Crop Insurance Agent. The program is available annually, regardless of drought status. For more information: https://www.rma.usda.gov/en/News–Room/Frequently–Asked–Questions/Pasture–Rangeland–Forage

Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP): The first phase of ELRP assistance will provide payments to producers who faced increased supplemental feed costs as a result of forage losses due to qualifying drought or wildfire in the calendar year 2021 using data already submitted to FSA through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). More information can be found on the FAQ Sheet linked here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA–FSA–Public/usdafiles/emergency–relief–program/pdfs/fsa_elrp_factsheet_22_final.pdf

Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): Offered via the Farm Services Agency, LIP provides benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the Federal Government. LIP payments are equal to 75 percent of the average fair market value of the livestock. A FAQ sheet with further information on applying can be found at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA–FSA–Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2022/fsa_lip_livestockImdemnityprogram_factsheet_2022_final_v3.pdf

For more information on these programs, or other drought resources, contact your Field Representative: Melissa Lema at [email protected] or Darby Pedrozo at [email protected], or reach out to your local USDA Service Center to connect with a USDA Staff member; These programs have time-sensitive and rapidly approaching deadlines; do not wait to contact FSA if you want to consider qualifying!