Tulare Lake stretches out in the distance like an inland sea in this May 1, 2023 aerial photo. Lois Henry / SJV Water

Rep. David Valadao (CA-22) is applauding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement of $1 billion in disaster recovery assistance for livestock producers impacted by floods and wildfires in 2023 and 2024.

“The flooding of Tulare Lake in 2023 was devastating for the Central Valley, and I’ve worked for years to make sure our producers have the tools they need to recover,” Valadao said. “Dairy farmers faced heavy property damage, feed losses, and transportation costs from moving livestock, and today’s USDA announcement is a major step forward. Expanding the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) will help address these losses and move us closer to making our farmers and dairymen whole. I’m grateful to USDA for their partnership throughout this process and look forward to working directly with the administration to make sure we get relief into the hands of CA-22 producers as soon as possible.”

The new Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire (ELRP 2023 and 2024 FW) will help producers offset rising supplemental feed costs tied to natural disasters. Sign-up begins Sept. 15, with applications open until Oct. 31, 2025.

USDA Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said the program is designed to provide targeted relief.

“We are providing continued support for livestock producers whose livelihoods and way of life have been disrupted by catastrophic floods, wildfires, and poor forage conditions in 2023 and 2024,” Rollins said. “Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is standing shoulder to shoulder with America’s farmers and ranchers, delivering the resources they need to stay in business, feed their families, and keep our food supply strong.”

The program will cover dairy and beef cattle, bison, goats, sheep, and other livestock. Payments will be calculated at up to 60% of one month of feed costs for wildfire losses, or three months for flood losses, using formulas from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.

Producers in counties identified by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) as having qualifying floods or wildfires will not need to provide documentation. Others may apply with proof of losses. The program carries a $125,000 payment cap per year, with possible exceptions up to $250,000.

Valadao has previously introduced the Agriculture Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the Emergency Assistance for Dairy Producers Act to secure more funding for disaster-hit producers.

More information, including a list of eligible counties, is available at fsa.usda.gov/elrp.