USDA unveils disaster program timeline

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced its plans to fulfill its role in issuing the disaster assistance Congress tasked it with at the end of last year. At a Farmers First Roundtable, Secretary Brooke Rollins announced plans to expedite $21 billion in disaster assistance. Farmers receiving livestock relief for drought and wildfire can expect to receive payments as early as the end of May.

The agency also launched a landing page to track the status of USDA's disaster rollout, which it says will be updated regularly.

Emergency Livestock Relief Program - Drought/Wildfire

May 23 - Release to Federal Register for publication
May 28 - Final rule on public display
May 29 - Payment processing on Thursday night
May 30 - County offices sign and certify payments

Supplemental Disaster Relief Program - Previously Indemnified Loss

June 30 - Release to Federal Register for Publication
July 3 - Final rule on public display
July 7 - SDRP signup begins

Emergency Livestock Relief Program - Flooding includes Commodity Loss Assistance Program, Milk Loss Program - Combined Final Rule

August 13 - Sent to Federal Register for Publication
August 15 - Final Rule on public display
August 18 - ELRP flooding, Commodity Loss Assistance and Milk Loss - signup begins

Supplemental Disaster Relief Program - Uncovered Loss

September 10 - Sent to Federal Register for Publication
September 12 - Final Rule on public display
September 15 - SDRP signup targeted.