USDA Announces $1.89 Billion in Emergency Livestock Relief Payments

Washington, D.C., February 13, 2026 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today revealed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has issued final payments through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP), amounting to over $1.89 billion. Eligible producers who applied for ELRP assistance due to 2023 and 2024 natural disasters will receive their owed payments in a single lump sum at 100% of their calculated amount.

Support for Farmers and Ranchers

“Livestock operations across the nation experienced significant disruptions in 2023 and 2024 due to catastrophic floods, droughts, wildfires, and adverse forage conditions,” said Secretary Rollins. “President Trump has consistently supported our farmers, ranchers, and producers, ensuring they have the necessary tools to recover from these events that were beyond their control. The stability of our national food supply relies on the wellbeing of those who feed America.”

Rollins highlighted that the declared demand for drought and wildfire assistance prompted initial payments to be factored, ensuring that funding didn’t exceed available resources. However, with additional funds now accessible, the USDA is honoring its commitment to livestock producers with a second payment in addition to the full payment provided for flood and wildfire recovery.

Funding and Eligibility

Directed by Congress, the American Relief Act of 2025 allocates $2 billion in emergency relief to livestock producers facing hardships from droughts, wildfires, or flooding in the years 2023 and 2024.

ELRP Drought and Wildfire Payments

Producers who previously received an initial payment for drought and wildfire losses saw that payment factored at 35%. FSA has now issued an automatic second payment, which equals 8.2% of the producer’s 2023 or 2024 Livestock Forage Disaster program gross calculated payment. This adjustment brings the final payment factor to 43.2% for total assistance of over $1.289 billion.

ELRP Flood and Wildfire Assistance

Following the assessment of ELRP applications for flooding and wildfire recovery, the FSA determined that producers will receive 100% of their calculated payments without factoring. This totals $604 million in recovery assistance for those with approved ELRP applications.

Payment Limitations and Exceptions

The combined payment limit for the ELRP 2023 and 2024 programs stands at $125,000 for each program year. Producers who have received the maximum payment for drought and wildfire losses will not qualify for additional funds. However, eligible producers can submit Form FSA-510, Request for an Exception to the $125,000 Payment Limitation for Certain Programs, by November 2, 2026, to seek an increased payment limit of $250,000.

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