U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the early release of $1 billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments to livestock producers impacted by severe drought and wildfires in 2023 and 2024. The initiative is part of the broader American Relief Act of 2025, which designated $21 billion in total disaster assistance for the agricultural sector-including $1 billion targeted specifically at restoring grazing capacity lost to environmental disasters.

Utilizing data from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) expedited payments. Eligible producers with approved LFP applications for 2023 and/or 2024 are now receiving 35% of their forage loss compensation under ELRP without having to submit additional paperwork. For example, a rancher who qualified for $43,588 in LFP support for 2023 also received $15,256 in ELRP assistance.

How ELRP Works

Eligibility Criteria
Ranchers must have experienced grazing losses in counties designated as D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks or D3 (extreme drought), or have lost grazing access due to federal land wildfires. A valid LFP application for the affected year is also required.

No New Applications Required
FSA is using existing LFP data (forms CCC-853, AD-2047, CCC-902, etc.) to automatically calculate and distribute ELRP payments. This streamlined model reduces paperwork and accelerates fund disbursement.

Funding Timeline and Next Phases
The initial 35% payout accounts for potentially high demand. A second payment may follow later this year, pending fund availability. In addition, USDA plans to launch a second ELRP phase to address flood-related losses later this summer.

Industry Reaction and Broader Impact

Crucial Lifeline for Producers
Livestock groups, including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, have welcomed the funding as essential to offset feed costs and preserve herd numbers amid input cost inflation and climate shocks.

Economic Stabilization in Rural America
The aid serves as an economic stabilizer for rural economies, allowing ranchers to maintain operations and employment despite volatile market conditions and rising supply chain costs.

Focus on LoTerm Recovery
Though relief is immediate, stakeholders continue to press for structural changes-such as investments in soil health, conservation practices, and drought resilience through precision agriculture-to mitigate the impact of future disasters.

Modernizing Disaster Response
ELRP reflects a broader USDA shift toward automated, data-driven disaster programs that could become permanent fixtures in future farm bill legislation.

What's Next?

Second Round of Payments: Contingent on available funds, additional support beyond the initial 35% may be issued to eligible producers.

Flood Assistance: A new ELRP phase focusing on livestock losses from floods is expected later in the year.

Strengthening Resilience: Industry advocates call for sustained investment in agritech, sustainable agriculture, and climate-smart policyworks.

Policy Integration: Lawmakers may seek to institutionalize automated aid models like ELRP into the USDA's loterm disaster readiness toolbox.