USDA SDRP Deadline Set for April 30, 2026: Farmers Can Apply for $16 Billion in Crop Disaster Relief The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set the final deadline for applications under the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) for 2026, with farmers required to submit their claims by April 30. The program, authorized under the American Relief Act of 2025, offers over $16 billion in disaster relief to producers who experienced qualifying losses from natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. The SDRP operates in two stages, with both phases closing on the same deadline. Stage 1 of the program is designed for producers who have already received indemnified losses through crop insurance or the Non-Insured Assistance Program (NAP). Stage 2 covers those with non-indemnified losses, including uninsured damages and quality losses. Producers may qualify for payments under both stages, though each calendar year has its own payment limits. Total compensation cannot exceed 90% of the reported loss, and all payments under both stages are subject to a 35% payment factor. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) may issue a second payment if additional funds remain after the initial disbursement. Eligible disaster events include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze events (including polar vortex impacts), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, and qualifying drought conditions. Livestock, timber, and grazing crops are excluded from the program. Drought-related claims require specific geographic criteria, such as a county being classified as D2 severe drought for eight consecutive weeks or D3 extreme drought or worse at any point during the relevant year. A key requirement for recipients is a post-payment obligation.#usda #farm_service_agency #supplemental_disaster_relief_program #american_relief_act_2025 #fsa
USDA Boosts Payments Under SDRP as Rollins Signals Fertilizer Investment Push Farmers affected by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 who submitted claims under the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) will receive a second payment starting next week, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. The announcement was made during a roundtable event with Missouri farmers east of Kansas City, where Rollins emphasized the importance of the additional aid for producers seeking operating loans this spring. The SDRP, which was established after Congress allocated over $20 billion in disaster relief for weather-related losses in 2023 and 2024, will now provide farmers with double the initial aid. USDA has already disbursed $6.7 billion under the program, and the new payment factor has been raised from 35% to 70%, effectively doubling the amount producers receive. Rollins stated that this adjustment would significantly increase the financial support available to farmers and ranchers, with payments expected to begin arriving next week. The extension of the SDRP application deadline from April 30 to August 12 was also announced. Rollins explained that this extension allows more time for producers and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to address potential changes in the program that could affect payments. USDA officials, including Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce, highlighted that the delay was partly due to clarifying what qualifies as a quality loss under the program. Some farmers, particularly rice growers in the Mid-South, have faced challenges selling 2024 harvests due to quality issues, preventing them from receiving SDRP payments.#trump_administration #brooke_rollins #usda #farm_service_agency #richard_fordyce
USDA Issues Second Supplemental Disaster Payment to Farmers, Extends Program Deadline The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the release of a second Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) payment to eligible farmers impacted by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024, while also extending the application deadline for the program. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins made the announcement in Higginsville, Missouri, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to supporting farmers during a challenging economic period. The extension of the deadline, now set for August 12, 2026, allows producers and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) additional time to address potential changes in program applications that could affect payment calculations. The SDRP payments, initially set at a 35% payment factor, have been increased to 70%, meaning eligible producers with approved applications will receive an additional 35% of their calculated payment. This adjustment applies to both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the program, ensuring greater financial support for disaster-impacted farmers. Rollins highlighted the administration’s efforts to strengthen the farm safety net, noting that the extension of the deadline and the additional payment reflect the government’s prioritization of farmers’ needs. The USDA has already disbursed $6.7 billion in SDRP payments to eligible producers as part of broader disaster assistance efforts. Combined with other programs, the Trump administration’s initiatives have provided over $17.9 billion in supplemental disaster aid mandated by Congress through the American Relief Act, 2025. This includes $9.3 billion from the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, nearly $1.#brooke_rollins #usda #farm_service_agency #emergency_commodity_assistance_program #emergency_livestock_relief_program
