USDA Announces $1 Billion in Disaster Recovery Assistance for Livestock Producers

Strategic Insights -

Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) has applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement of new disaster recovery assistance for livestock producers impacted by floods and wildfires. The Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) will provide $1 billion to help producers offset rising supplemental feed costs caused by natural disasters.

The program aims to address the losses suffered by dairy farmers in the Central Valley, who faced heavy property damage, feed losses, and transportation costs from moving livestock. Congressman Valadao has led efforts to secure relief for these producers, introducing legislation such as the Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the Emergency Assistance for Dairy Producers Act.

Key Takeaways:

  • The USDA will provide $1 billion in disaster recovery assistance to livestock producers impacted by floods and wildfires through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW).
  • The program aims to help producers offset rising supplemental feed costs caused by natural disasters.
  • Dairy farmers in the Central Valley were particularly affected, facing heavy property damage, feed losses, and transportation costs from moving livestock.
  • Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-22) has long led efforts to secure relief for these producers, introducing legislation such as the Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the Emergency Assistance for Dairy Producers Act.
  • The announcement is a major step forward in addressing the losses suffered by dairy farmers, and Congressman Valadao is working directly with the administration to ensure relief reaches CA-22 producers as soon as possible.

Statistics:

  • $1 billion: The total amount of disaster recovery assistance provided through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire.
  • 2023: The year in which the historic flooding of Tulare Lake occurred, impacting dairy farmers in the Central Valley.
  • $14 billion: The additional funding requested by Congressman Valadao's Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
  • 2024: The year in which the Emergency Assistance for Dairy Producers Act would have provided Commodity Credit Corporation emergency assistance funds to dairy producers impacted by the flooding.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives -- Congressman David G. Valadao (California) statement on USDA's announcement of disaster recovery assistance.
  • USDA website: Visit to learn more about the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire.