USDA Extends ELRP Sign-Up Deadline for Flood and Wildfire Losses

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the sign-up deadline for the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) from October 31, 2025, to November 21, 2025. The program provides financial assistance to livestock producers who suffered grazing and forage losses due to floods, wildfires, drought, or other qualifying natural disasters.

Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), ELRP is intended to help offset the additional costs livestock producers faced as a result of lost grazing acres, destroyed forage, or higher feed expenses following disaster events.

Who Qualifies?

To be eligible, producers must:

• Have eligible livestock (such as cattle, sheep, goats, or bison) that depend on grazing.

• Have experienced grazing or forage losses due to a qualifying disaster in 2023 or 2024.

• Operate in a county that was rated as D2 (severe drought) for at least eight consecutive weeks, or D3 (extreme drought) or higher during the normal grazing period; or have suffered wildfire or flood impacts resulting in reduced grazing access.

• Have an approved Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) application on file for 2023 or 2024.

The new ELRP component specifically addresses flooding and wildfire losses, expanding assistance beyond drought-affected areas.

How Payments Are Calculated

FSA uses information already submitted through approved LFP applications to determine ELRP payments. Payment amounts are calculated as a percentage of the producer’s gross LFP payment—35 percent for 2023 and 2024 losses—and may be adjusted if additional funding becomes available.

What Producers Should Do

Nebraska producers who believe they may qualify should contact their local FSA county office as soon as possible to confirm eligibility and ensure all required forms—such as CCC-853, AD-2047, and CCC-902—are on file.

For more details, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elrp or contact your county FSA office before the new November 21, 2025 deadline.

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