The USDA will launch Stage 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) on November 24 to support farmers with 2023–24 natural disaster losses not covered by insurance or Stage 1 payments. Stage 2 focuses on “shallow losses,” including uninsured and quality losses that fell below insurance deductibles, and will also provide premium and fee refunds.
Together, both SDRP stages will deliver over $16 billion in aid. Applications for both stages are open through April 30, but producers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine and Massachusetts are not eligible due to state-run programs.
The USDA also announced two new dairy-related disaster programs beginning November 24. These include the Milk Loss Program, which provides up to $1.6 million for milk dumped because of disasters, and the On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program, offering up to $5 million for stored commodities lost during disaster events.
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