Emergency drought funds to aid livestock transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its plan to help cover the cost of transporting feed for livestock that rely on grazing.

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) is to cover feed transportation costs for drought-impacted ranchers.

ELAP already covers the cost of hauling water during drought, and the change expands the program to cover feed transportation costs where grazing and hay resources have been depleted.

This includes places where:

• Drought intensity is D2 for eight consecutive weeks

• Drought intensity is D3 or greater

• USDA determined a shortage of local or regional feed availability

Cost-share assistance is being made available to cover the eligible cost of treating hay or feed to prevent the spread of invasive pests like fire ants.

To be eligible for ELAP assistance, livestock must be intended for grazing and producers must have incurred feed transportation costs after Dec. 31, 2020.