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
As the White House works to close the trade gap, patience is wearing thin for some lawmakers. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says farmers are getting backed into a corner.
September 11, 2025 11:26 AM
·
The Arkansas Farm Bureau takes us there for a tour of the facility that will expand livestock education in a key agricultural region.
September 10, 2025 03:24 PM
·
RealAg Radio host Sean Haney joins us for a Canadian perspective on President Trump’s controversial tariff rollout, lower court rulings, and upcoming review by the U.S. Supreme Court.
September 10, 2025 03:10 PM
·
The Interior Department is proposing to repeal the Bureau of Land Management’s Public Lands Rule. This move would make huge strides to empower local decision-making and restore balance between conservation and protecting rural livelihoods tied to these public lands.
September 10, 2025 02:45 PM
·
September 10, 2025 02:23 PM
Mother-daughter RanchHER duo, Lyn and Sherrie Ray, joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report for a sneak peek at tonight’s brand new episode of FarmHER + RanchHER.
September 10, 2025 01:45 PM
·
The 2022 Census of Agriculture revealed a more than 30% decrease in U.S. dairy farms since 2017. The shrinking industry is now uniting to advocate for itself while also adopting technology to reduce operational strain.
September 10, 2025 12:55 PM
·
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was once again on the national stage, front and center this week before the House Agriculture Committee.
September 10, 2025 11:10 AM
·
September 10, 2025 10:07 AM
·
