WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with the second stage of disaster aid for farmers recovering from the natural disasters of 2023 and 2024, marking another significant step in the department’s broader relief rollout.
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin accepting Stage Two applications for the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) on November 24, building on payments already distributed through earlier rounds. This phase covers crop, tree, bush, and vine losses that were not eligible under Stage One, including shallow-loss, uncovered, and quality-related damage. USDA emphasizes that the effort is designed to stabilize cash flow heading into spring planning after repeated weather shocks strained balance sheets across much of rural America.
Congress has authorized more than $16 billion for SDRP, in addition to $9.3 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) payments and more than $705 million in Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) payments. FSA notes that producers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Massachusetts will receive relief through state block grants rather than SDRP. Producers have until April 30, 2026, to apply for both Stage One and Stage Two assistance.
USDA is also opening enrollment for the Milk Loss Program and the On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program from November 24 to January 23, 2026. The milk program provides up to $1.65 million in compensation for dumped milk tied to disaster events, while the commodity program offers up to $5 million for producers who lost stored crops during 2023 or 2024 storms.
Farm-Level Takeaway: New SDRP funding and expanded loss programs give producers additional tools to rebuild cash flow and stabilize operations after two years of severe weather losses.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
The review signals renewed scrutiny of China’s agricultural trade pledges and could reshape farm export opportunities depending on its outcome.
October 28, 2025 11:20 AM
·
The U.S.-Japan tech pact signals long-term investment in bio-innovation, connectivity, and secure supply chains — all of which can strengthen rural manufacturing, ag exports, and digital infrastructure critical to the next generation of farm productivity.
October 28, 2025 11:01 AM
·
Farmers who rely on H-2A workers will see a few key changes to speed up the process and make it fairer. On the ground, producers say labor issues create shortfalls in otherwise productive harvests.
October 27, 2025 01:36 PM
·
John Appel with the Farmers Business Network (FBN) joins us for a closer look at the 2026 Crop Protection Market Outlook Report.
October 27, 2025 01:00 PM
·
Industry leaders representing more than 40 nations gathered to discuss the future of ethanol and other corn-based products.
October 27, 2025 12:44 PM
·
Farmers display a unique optimism — planting with the expectation that weather, basis, and prices will improve by harvest — asserting that the profession is an identity, not just a job.
October 27, 2025 12:12 PM
·
Imported lean beef continues to play a critical role in U.S. hamburger and ground-beef production, with any added volume from Argentina serving as a supplement — not a market overhaul.
October 27, 2025 11:51 AM
·
A fast-moving series of trade signals from the White House and key partners is resetting the near-term outlook for U.S. agriculture.
October 27, 2025 11:41 AM
·
Stay alert for trade announcements—especially border reopening timelines, tariff threats, and developments in Brazil’s export flows.
October 24, 2025 01:56 PM
·
