California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • U.S. Ag Exporters Can Now Apply to Participate in South Korea Trade Mission

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis Taylor, will lead the agribusiness trade mission to Seoul, South Korea on March 25 – 28, 2024. USDA is currently inviting U.S. exporters who wish to participate in this trade mission to submit their application.

    “North Asian markets are a source of stability for U.S. exports and an opportunity for market share expansion due to its heavy reliance on food imports and underlying macroeconomic growth,” said Taylor. “While the Republic of Korea is already one of our top export markets, we see tremendous potential for growth as the demand for health and fitness, ready-to-eat, and convenience products is growing, providing a great opportunity for U.S. exporters to expand their sales in the region.”

    The trade mission will offer U.S. agribusinesses the potential to increase or expand their food and agricultural exports to the region. While in Seoul, participants will engage in two days of business-to-business meetings with potential importers, processors and distributors. Additionally, attendees will receive in-depth market briefings from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and industry trade experts to better understand market dynamics and consumer trends, as well as participate in site visits and other networking opportunities.

    With a population of roughly 52 million people and limited arable land, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) relies on imports to satisfy consumer demand for food variety, lower prices and greater convenience. In 2022, South Korea imported approximately $41.1 billion worth of agricultural goods, and the United States was the leading supplier with $10.4 billion in agricultural exports. The United States is South Korea’s top overall supplier and its leading source for an array of farm products, including beef, almonds, fresh cherries, fresh oranges, hides and skins, soybeans, dried distillers grains (DDGS), ethanol and wheat. The United States and the Republic of Korea implemented the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) in 2012.

    As a result of the pandemic, as well as demographic and economic trends in South Korea, the market has seen a boom in e-commerce. In addition to traditional hypermarkets and retail markets, e-commerce platforms can be important to increasing sales in Korea. The market has been trending to higher demands for products of convenience, such as ready-to-eat foods, home meal kits and smaller portion-size packages. There has also been an emphasis on health and fitness products due to general healthy lifestyle changes as well as an aging population.

    U.S. exporters who wish to participate in this agribusiness trade mission must apply by December 18, 2023. Click to apply online.

    For those U.S. companies selected, USDA highly recommends purchasing travel insurance and checking with the airline on their cancellation/adjustment policies and flexibility. We recognize the global travel situation remains fluid and uncertain. USDA will continue to monitor the situation carefully and will keep participants apprised of any changes to entry requirements.

  • USDA Now Accepting Applications for Farm Loans Online

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan. This tool is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, improve customer service, and expand credit access.

    “The Biden Administration is working hard to make it easier for farmers and ranchers to get the loans they need to keep growing food, fiber, and fuel for our country,” said Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. “Online services are commonplace in commercial lending, and with USDA Farm Service Agency’s new online loan application feature, it is now easier for producers to get the financing they need to start, expand, or maintain their farming and ranching operations.”

    The online farm loan application replicates the support an applicant would receive when completing a loan application in person with an FSA Farm Loan Officer, while continuing to provide customers with one-on-one assistance as needed.  This tool and other process improvements allow farmers and ranchers to submit complete loan applications and reduce the number of incomplete and withdrawn applications.

    Through a personalized dashboard, borrowers can track the progress of their loan application. It can be accessed on farmers.gov or by completing FSA’s Loan Assistance Tool at farmers.gov/loan-assistance-tool. To use the online loan application tool, producers must establish a USDA customer account and a USDA Level 2 eAuthentication (“eAuth”) account or a Login.gov account. For the initial stage, the online application tool is only available for producers who will be, or are currently, operating their farm as an individual. FSA is expanding the tools availability to married couples applying jointly and other legal entities in 2024.

    Farm Loan Improvement Efforts

    FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate Farm Loan Program customer-facing business processes. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a Direct Loan application to FSA annually, and its 85,000 Direct Loan borrowers, FSA has made improvements this year, including:

    More Information

    FSA continues to accept and review individual requests for assistance from qualifying borrowers who took certain extraordinary measures to avoid delinquency on their direct FSA loans or those who were unable to make a recent installment or are unable to make their next scheduled installment for installments through January 15, 2024. All requests for assistance must be received by Dec. 31, 2023. For more information, or to submit a request for assistance, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance.

    The Inflation Reduction Act, a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for agricultural communities, provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain FSA direct and guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. Since October 2022, USDA has provided approximately $1.6 billion in assistance to more than 27,000 distressed direct and guaranteed FSA loan borrowers.

  • Six Barriers to Expanding Soil Health Practices in California

    Soil health is at once the foundation of productive farmland and a tool for conserving California’s valuable water resources. Our climate pendulum of extreme drought and floods means sustainable agriculture practices must be part of our solutions toolbox – especially in the state’s most water-restricted regions.

    To help growers, water managers, and policymakers understand the direct and measurable positive impact of healthy soils on water sustainability, Sustainable Conservation published “Collaborative Solutions for California’s Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Harnessing the Water- Related Benefits of Soil.”

    Six Barriers to Adoption

    This report blends an in-depth literature review with an extensive grower survey that pinpoints six key, actionable barriers to widespread adoption of healthy soil practices.

    By marrying research insights with on-the-ground perspectives, the report unveils the pivotal role soil health can play in building a more resilient water and climate future — while protecting California agriculture’s viability.

    Soil Health is Our Health

    Why “soil health” if Sustainable Conservation focuses on water? In our work to enhance water quantity, quality, and ecosystem health for all, soils are critical to each of these goals. Healthy soils not only improve water use efficiency and capture and store more water when it’s available, but also improve the quality of the water that our ecosystems and communities rely on.

    Despite these benefits, and the momentum around soil health for carbon sequestration and human health, relatively little has been done to better understand and leverage the soil-water nexus.

    Cultivating a Resilient Future

    With only 5% of California’s arable land applying compost, planting cover crops, or reducing tillage, the potential impact of these practices at scale is enormous. This report is just one step on the road to a resilient water, climate, and agricultural future. Sustainable Conservation’s Solutions in our Soils program is dedicated to finding innovative solutions, furthering our collective learning, and overcoming barriers to promote and incentivize soil health.

    The next steps will be taken together as we incorporate healthy soils’ water benefits into the great work of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service, and local Resource Conservation Districts. Only by working across sectors, with partners new and old, and using the most up-to-date science, will we be able to make soil health practices accessible in California.

    The Sustainable Conservation Solutions in our Soil team acknowledges the invaluable input from partners, growers, researchers, and interviewees that made the report possible.

    About Sustainable Conservation

    Founded in San Francisco in 1993, Sustainable Conservation helps California thrive by uniting people to solve the toughest challenges facing our land, air, and water. A sustainable water future for California that supports a thriving economy is achievable. But a future in which nature and people have access to clean, affordable, and reliable water is possible only by working with – not against – each other.

    Every day, we bring together business, landowners, scientists, government, nonprofits and community representatives to steward the resources that we all depend on in ways that are just and make economic sense. For more information and to connect with Sustainable Conservation, visit suscon.org.

  • California Almond Acreage Drops Again in 2023

    California’s total almond acreage dropped again in 2023, this time by about 74,000 acres, making two years in a row that acreage has decreased, something that has not happened since at least 1995, according to a new report from Land IQ to the Almond Board of California (ABC).

    Total acreage dropped from just under 1.64 million acres last year to about 1.56 million in 2023, even though bearing acres – orchards producing almonds and planted in 2020 or earlier – increased slightly to 1.37 million acres compared with 1.34 million acres at this time last year. But the amount of non-bearing acreage – new orchards planted in 2021, 2022 or 2023 – sank about 105,000 acres from 294,000 acres in 2022 to 189,000 acres in 2023, according to the Land IQ 2023 Standing Acreage Final Estimate.

    “The latest Land IQ California almond acreage analysis continues to point to a reduction in total acreage driven by fewer new plantings and an increase in orchard removals,” said Richard Waycott, ABC president and CEO. “The 1.37 million bearing acreage in 2023 established a new record, reflecting plantings in 2020 or earlier, but going forward, the analysis points to a lowering of bearing acreage in 2024.”

    Orchard removals increased again in 2023 to about 83,000 acres as of Aug. 31, compared with 60,400 acres removed in 2022 and continuing a trend of an increasing pace of removals that started in 2021, according to the accompanying Land IQ 2023 Removal Update. That contributes to the analysis pointing to fewer acres next year and possibly beyond, Waycott said.

    In addition, nearly 41,000 acres are classified as either stressed or abandoned. They were included in the standing acreage total because the orchards “may have the ability to recover,” Land IQ said.

    The estimates come from multiple lines of evidence, including agronomic and remote sensing knowledge, robust on-the-ground verification, customized image analysis, artificial intelligence and more. Land IQ said the 2023 standing acreage estimate is 98.8 percent accurate.

    Land IQ’s acreage estimates are commissioned by ABC to provide statistical transparency and a robust picture of California almonds to industry stakeholders around the world. In 2018, ABC first commissioned Land IQ, a Sacramento-based agricultural and environmental scientific research and consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive, living map of California almonds. The map is the result of more than a decade of research.

  • December USDA Lending Rates for Ag Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for December 2023, which are effective Dec. 1, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

    “I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

    Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans

    FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation.   For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.

    Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for December 2023 are as follows:

    FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.

    To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.

    Commodity and Storage Facility Loans

    Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

    Simplified Direct Loan Application

    FSA developed a new, simplified direct loan application for producers seeking a direct farm loan. The new application, reduced from 29 to 13 pages, provides an improved customer experience for producers applying for loans and enables them to complete a more streamlined application. Producers now also have the option to complete an electronic fillable form or a traditional paper application for submission to their local FSA service center.

    Disaster Support

    FSA also reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the past year’s winter storms, drought, hurricanes and other natural disasters that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared to deliver a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to agricultural producers and impacted communities. Many programs are available without an official disaster designation, including several risk management and disaster recovery options.

    Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Producers

    The Inflation Reduction Act, a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for the agricultural communities, provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain FSA direct and guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. Since October 2022, USDA has provided approximately $1.7 billion in immediate assistance to more than 30,000 financially distressed direct and guaranteed FSA loan borrowers.

    FSA recently announced additional automatic assistance to qualifying, economically distressed guaranteed farm loan program and Emergency Loan borrowers who face financial risk.

    FSA is also accepting and reviewing individual requests for assistance from borrowers who took certain extraordinary measures to avoid delinquency on their direct FSA loans or those who missed a recent installment or who are unable to make their next scheduled installment.

    For more information, or to submit a request for assistance, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance.

    More Information

    To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other fam records data and customer information by logging in their farmers.gov account. Producers without an account can sign up today.

  • Almond Board Outlook on Shipments & Exports

    Following his State of the Almond Industry presentations at the Tree & Vine Expo and the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo, Richard Waycott, President of the Almond Board of California, shared some insights on successes and challenges with almond shipments over the past 12 months. Watch his interview with Matthew Malcolm and read the full State of the Industry report in the upcoming issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing Achieves Highest Level Equivalence in Global Sustainable Ag Benchmark

    Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing — a third-party vineyard, winery and wine certification program administered by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) — is the first sustainable winegrowing certification to achieve Gold Level equivalence against the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) version 3.0. FSA provides a globally recognized framework for sustainable agriculture certification and a consistent approach to demonstrate and validate alignment.

    CSWA joins over 100 sustainability programs that have been benchmarked against the FSA. Only 20%, now including CSWA, have achieved Gold Level equivalence.

    “Congratulations to the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance for achieving FSA Gold Level equivalence for Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing,” said Joe Iveson, FSA Manager at SAI Platform. “This is a great achievement that reflects a strong commitment to promoting sustainable winegrape growing and ensuring alignment with global best practices.”

    The FSA was developed with experts from inside and outside of agriculture, including leading NGOs, universities, farmers and their representative groups. The benchmark was carried out by SureHarvest, an FSA-approved consultant that determined the Gold Level Equivalence based on rigorous analysis. Vineyards certified to Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing can also be recognized at FSA Gold Level Equivalent, and count towards any other FSA users’ sustainable sourcing targets.

    The FSA includes a set of over 100 questions covering 11 sustainability topic areas: Farm Management and Community, Plant Material Selection and Propagation, Soil Management, Nutrient Management, Crop Protection, Waste Management, Water Management, Biodiversity, Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Labor Conditions and Integrated Pest Management. To achieve Gold Level equivalence, a program must address 100% of essential criteria, 100% of intermediate criteria and 75% or more of advanced criteria.

    “CSWA uses internationally recognized best practices for sustainability certification and verification programs — such as the FSA — to develop and maintain a credible and meaningful program,” said Allison Jordan, CSWA executive director. “We’re proud to be the first winegrowing certification to achieve Gold Level Equivalence.”

    Introduced in 2010, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing provides annual third-party verification that a winery or vineyard has adopted and implemented stringent sustainable winegrowing practices based on the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing and has committed to continuous improvement in those areas. In addition to implementing required practices that address the environmental and social responsibility aspects of sustainability, companies must determine the areas in which they need to improve and focus their resources to help meet their sustainability goals year after year. Currently, 80% of California wine is made in a Certified California Sustainable Winery and more than 2,500 vineyards, totaling 38% of the state’s winegrape acres, are certified sustainable.

    CSWA is committed to alignment with international standards for sustainability certification programs. In 2017, Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing underwent an extensive oversight evaluation by SCS Global Services, a leader in third-party sustainability certification standards development. SCS Global Services confirmed that the program adheres to international best practices in certification including ISO/IEC Guide 59:1994, ISO/IEC 17065:2012 and ISEAL Credibility Principles. Benchmarking to FSA is another opportunity to demonstrate adherence to a global framework for sustainable agriculture.

    • Visit the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing website or email CSWA to learn more about Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing.
    • To learn more about the FSA benchmarking and to access scoring for benchmarked schemes, see the FSA Benchmark Overview and FSA Benchmarking Results.About California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance  

      CSWA is a leader in promoting sustainable winegrowing practices within the California wine industry. Created by Wine Institute and the California Association of Winegrape Growers in 2003, CSWA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that implements the educational California Sustainable Winegrowing Program and administers Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing. CSWA provides the industry with a robust collection of sustainability resources that include the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, a workbook that enables growers and vintners to evaluate over 200 sustainable practices from grapes to glass against industry best practices and provides a clear path to integrating sustainable practices into their operations.

  • Updates to Bulk Citrus HLB Quarantine Requirements

    Effective Nov. 22, 2023, the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division (CPDPD) has officially updated the requirements for moving bulk citrus fruit within and from a Huanglongbing (HLB) quarantine area to a packer/processor.

    Listed below is an overview of the newly updated requirements, per the CPDPD’s Citrus Grower/Grove Manager Information page:

    • If you are moving bulk citrus within a contiguous HLB quarantine zone, there is now no mitigation required.
      • If you are moving bulk citrus within a contiguous HLB quarantine area, but out of the original ACP regional quarantine zone (i.e., Orange County to Riverside County), one HLB mitigation is required.
    • If you are moving bulk citrus between two non-contiguous HLB quarantine zones (i.e., Riverside County to Ventura County), there is now one HLB mitigation required.
    • If you are moving bulk citrus outside of an HLB quarantine area, but within the same county (i.e., San Diego HLB quarantine zone to San Diego ACP regional quarantine zone), there is one HLB mitigation required.
    • If you are moving bulk citrus fruit to an area outside of the HLB quarantine zone and outside of the origin county (i.e., Ventura HLB quarantine Zone to Kern County), two HLB mitigations or a wet wash are required.All fruit, no matter of its origin or destination, must be completely safeguarded with a tarp or enclosed vehicle while in transit per requirements listed in the compliance agreement. The CPDPD will be signing revised compliance agreements with growers within an HLB quarantine, as well as packers/processors receiving fruit from a quarantined area.For complete information and details regarding the mitigations required for fruit movement, please visit the CPDPD’s Citrus Grower/Grove Manager Information page.

      For questions regarding citrus fruit movement requirements, please contact your local agricultural commissioner, email Keith Okasaki at Keith.Okasaki@cdfa.ca.gov or call 916-274-6300. — By the California Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

  • Real California Milk Brings Back Cheese Wreath Kit, Giving Back To Communities In Need

    In celebration of the holidays, today the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) released its second collaboration with cheese shop Lady & Larder – the California Cheese Wreath Kit, a collection of Real California cheeses, dried fruit, nuts, crackers, and other items used to create an edible arrangement for seasonal gatherings and gift giving. In the spirit of giving, for each kit ordered a donation of $20* will be made to provide fluid milk to Feeding America food banks in California in support of families in need.

    The California Cheese Wreath kit features three cow’s milk specialty cheeses made with Real California Milk from the state’s farm families, candied pecans, dried citrus wheels, raisins, honey, crackers, and herbs along with a round bamboo cheese board as well as instructions for assembling a festive cheese wreath. The wreath sells for $175 and is available for pickup at Lady & Larder in Santa Monica or online (https://www.ladyandlarder.com/collections/the-gift-shop/products/real-california-cheese-wreath-2023) for shipping throughout the U.S.

    “Cheese is an essential part of the holidays and the California cheese wreath brings all of the elements together for the ultimate holiday centerpiece. And the best part is the whole family can take part in assembling this beautiful arrangement that also supports families in need,” said Jennifer Giambroni, VP of Communications for the CMAB.

    The initiative is part of the CMAB’s ongoing #CADAIRY4GOOD initiative, which focuses on increasing access to nutritious dairy foods made with Real California Milk for California individuals and families in need and identifying sustainable partnerships to expand the reach and resources available to feeding programs throughout the state.

    California is the number one dairy state with 1,100 family dairy farms focused on delivering the wholesome goodness of California milk while creating a greener, more sustainable future. California products can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with milk from the state’s dairy farm families.

    * $20 will be donated to Feeding America for each California Cheese Wreath Kit purchased with a guaranteed donation of $10,000 to Feeding America. Only California Cheese Wreath Kit purchases at Lady & Larder between November 20, 2023 and January 30, 2024 qualify.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube,Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

    Lady & Larder

    Twin sisters Sarah and Boo Simms are the culinary and creative duo behind Lady & Larder – the Los Angeles based cheese and wine shop credited with starting a global grazing board movement. Founded in 2016, Lady & Larder proudly supports 100% domestic, American-made seasonal products and specializes in custom edible displays, carefully sourcing only the best for their crudités, fruit, cheese, and charcuterie. For those unable to visit their shop in person, the duo also offers online classes and workshops, as well as ships beautifully curated cheese boards, charcuterie kits, and seasonal culinary gifts nationwide. To Learn more, please visit ladyandlarder.com.

  • Streamlining Requirements for USDA Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has waived certain notice of loss requirements for 2023 for the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). In an effort to streamline assistance to support access to critical 2023 natural disaster recovery assistance, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is waiving the requirement to submit ELAP or LIP notices of loss within a pre-determined number of days for 2023. Instead, producers have the flexibility to submit 2023 notices of loss as soon as possible, once losses are realized, following a natural disaster event or no later than the established annual program application for payment deadlines for each program. FSA county committees are also being asked to re-evaluate 2023 ELAP and LIP late-filed notices of loss to determine if the waiver applies.

    “Our goal is to get producers into these disaster programs, and they are always encouraged to turn in an application if they believe they are eligible,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Program improvements are only effective if we ensure producers have sufficient time and information needed to submit their application. The ELAP and LIP waivers we are announcing today, in response to historic disasters in 2023, improve efficiencies for producers and our staff, are responsive to feedback about confusion regarding program timelines and are intended to give our staff the time needed to deliver the right support to producers when they need it most.  These waivers are also reflective of FSA’s efforts to integrate improvements and accessibility into our policy decisions. It’s critical that we increase awareness of these program flexibilities so all producers can participate.”

    Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish

    ELAP provides recovery assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybee, and farm-raised fish losses due to an eligible adverse weather or loss condition, including blizzards, disease, water shortages and wildfires. ELAP covers grazing and feed losses, transportation of water and feed to livestock and hauling livestock to grazing acres. ELAP also covers certain mortality losses for livestock including honeybees and farm-raised fish as well as honeybee hive losses. ELAP is designed to address losses not covered by other FSA disaster assistance programs.

    For 2023, FSA is waiving the regulatory requirement for producers who are eligible for ELAP to file a notice of loss with FSA within 30 calendar days from when the loss first became apparent for livestock and farm-raised fish and 15 calendar days for honeybees. Under this waiver, notices of loss are to be completed by the eligible producer and submitted to FSA no later than the annual program application deadline of January 30 following the program year in which the loss occurred. Therefore, producers who incurred ELAP-eligible losses in 2023, will need to submit a notice of loss by Jan. 30, 2024.

    Livestock Indemnity Program

    LIP provides disaster recovery assistance to livestock owners and contract growers who experience livestock deaths, in excess of normal mortality caused by eligible loss conditions including adverse weather, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves and avian predators. LIP also helps livestock owners who must sell livestock at a reduced price because of an injury from certain loss conditions.

    For 2023, FSA is waiving the regulatory requirement for producers who are eligible for LIP to file a notice of loss within 30 calendar days from when the loss first became apparent. Under this waiver, producers are still required to complete and submit the notice of loss to FSA no later than the annual program payment application date, which is 60 calendar days following the program year in which the loss occurred. The LIP payment application and notice of loss deadline is Feb. 29, 2024, for the 2023 program year.

    2023 Disapproved Applications

    FSA county committees will review all notices of loss for both ELAP and LIP that were previously disapproved for the 2023 program year due to late filing and re-evaluate them to determine if the waiver applies. To receive ELAP and LIP benefits, producers will still need to file an application for payment by the established program deadline for the 2023 program year. Producers who are unsure about the status of their notice of loss or application for payment, should contact their local FSA county office as soon as possible.

    Supporting Documentation

    Accurate records and loss documentation are critical following disaster events and are required when filing notices of loss with FSA. Acceptable loss documentation includes:

    • Documentation of the number, kind, type, and weight range of livestock that have died, supplemented, if possible, by photographs or video records of ownership and losses.
    • Rendering truck receipts by kind, type, and weight – important to document prior to disposal.
    • Beginning inventory supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts.
    • Documentation from Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Natural Resources, or other sources to substantiate eligible death losses due to an eligible loss condition.
    • Documentation that livestock were removed from grazing pastures due to an eligible adverse weather or loss condition.
    • Costs of transporting livestock feed to eligible livestock, such as receipts for equipment rental fees for hay lifts and snow removal.
    • Feed purchase receipts if feed supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed.
    • Number of gallons of water transported to livestock due to water shortages.

    More Information

    The improvements to ELAP and LIP build on others made since 2021. This includes ELAP benefits for above normal costs for hauling feed and water to livestock and transporting livestock to other grazing acres during a qualifying drought. FSA also expanded eligible livestock under ELAP, LIP, and the Livestock Forage Disaster Assistance Program, and increased the LIP payment rate for beef, beefalo, bison, and dairy animals less than 250 pounds and most recently beef calves over 800 pounds. Learn about USDA disaster assistance programs on farmers.gov.

    On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine disaster protection and recovery program or loan options. For more information about FSA programs, contact your local USDA Service Center.