USDA doles out $235 million in disaster aid

USDA has begun issuing payments to famers impacted by recent natural disasters. The payments are expected to total more than $235 million. Included in that total is $143 million in crop insurance payments for Florida farmers impacted by Hurricane Milton. An additional $92 million will go to livestock producers across the country affected by droughts and wildfires in 2022. Those natural disasters resulted in significant forage losses, increasing supplement feed costs for many producers.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack notes Florida farmers, livestock producers and forest landowners have been hit hard by hurricanes this year. According to him, USDA is continuing its efforts to help them recover following hurricanes like Milton.

“We’ve used a number of flexibilities following hurricanes Debby and Helene, and we’re extending those to producers impacted by Hurricane Milton and future named storms,” Vilsack says. “Additionally, today’s payments for America’s livestock producers serve as another example of how we’re leveraging every available resource to help as many people as possible on the road to recovery.”

Farmers with crop insurance coverage through the Hurricane Insurance Protection- Wind Index and the Tropical Storm option should receive payments from their approved insurance providers within 30 days. They do not need to file a claim. USDA’s Risk Management Agency has already identified counties where eligible producers reside.

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So far this year. USDA has allocated more than $776 million in HIP-WI assistance. That includes $233 million for farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene, $214 million by Hurricane Debby, $128 for Hurricane Francine and $58 million for Hurricane Beryl.

Is additional aid coming?

USDA has already announced multiple efforts to help farmers impacted by hurricanes this year. Still, many lawmakers say more action is needed. They contend hurricanes and other natural disasters have put farmers in a bad spot. In late September, shortly after Hurricane Helene hit, 34 southern lawmakers from both parties called on Congressional leaders to fund unmet disaster relief support. In their letter, the lawmakers noted that farmers across the country have faced multiple growing seasons “without sufficient federal support.”

So far, famers have not received any additional support . Congress went on recess at the end of September. It is scheduled to return in mid-November, though it remains unclear what issues they plan to address in the limited time remaining this year.

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