Rep. David Valadao has expressed support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent announcement of a $1 billion disaster recovery program aimed at livestock producers affected by floods and wildfires in 2023 and 2024.
Valadao, who represents California’s 22nd district, highlighted the significant impact of the 2023 Tulare Lake flooding on Central Valley farmers. He stated, “The flooding of Tulare Lake in 2023 was devastating for the Central Valley, and I’ve worked for years to make sure our producers have the tools they need to recover. Dairy farmers faced heavy property damage, feed losses, and transportation costs from moving livestock, and today’s USDA announcement is a major step forward. Expanding the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) will help address these losses and move us closer to making our farmers and dairymen whole. I’m grateful to USDA for their partnership throughout this process and look forward to working directly with the administration to make sure we get relief into the hands of CA-22 producers as soon as possible.”
The newly established Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) will provide assistance with increased supplemental feed costs resulting from natural disasters. The application period begins September 15 and runs through October 31, 2025.
USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins described the program’s intent: “We are providing continued support for livestock producers whose livelihoods and way of life have been disrupted by catastrophic floods, wildfires, and poor forage conditions in 2023 and 2024,” Rollins said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is standing shoulder to shoulder with America’s farmers and ranchers, delivering the resources they need to stay in business, feed their families, and keep our food supply strong.”
Coverage under this program extends to dairy cattle, beef cattle, bison, goats, sheep, and other livestock types. Payment calculations will be based on up to 60% of one month’s feed cost for wildfire-related losses or three months’ costs for flood-related losses using formulas from existing USDA programs such as the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.
Producers located in counties identified by USDA’s Farm Service Agency as having experienced qualifying floods or wildfires will not need to submit additional documentation; others can apply with proof of loss. There is an annual payment cap of $125,000 per producer under normal circumstances; however, some may qualify for exceptions up to $250,000.
Valadao has previously put forth legislative efforts like the Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and Emergency Assistance for Dairy Producers Act in pursuit of additional funding options for those impacted by agricultural disasters.
