By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter

Additional help is on the way for U.S. farmers impacted by economic pressures like high input costs.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins gave an update on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) at the recent Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City.

“I’m excited to announce that the remaining $2 billion of ECAP funding will be delivered within the week. As producers continue to face market volatility, the ECAP program has helped them navigate the economic challenges that they/you faced in 2024, hopefully making it slightly easier to secure financing for the next crop year,” Rollins said.

ECAP provides economic assistance payments to help farmers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices based on the 2024 crop.

According to USDA, more than $8 billion in payments have been made to date through ECAP.

Initial ECAP payments were factored by 85% to ensure total program payments did not exceed the $10 billion in available funding.

“Since additional funds remain, FSA is issuing a second payment,” said Brooke Appleton, Deputy Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Brooke Appleton.

The additional payment should be equal to 14% of the gross ECAP payment to eligible farmers, making the final payment factor 99%.

Payments will automatically be made to eligible farmers with approved ECAP applications who have already received an initial payment.

ECAP applications approved after Sept. 25 will be made in one lump sum instead of two payments.

Rollins also gave an update on the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) at the event.

“Relief under the ECAP and SDRP is hopefully already reaching many of our farms and ranches, and where help is still needed, we are exploring every option available,” Rollins said.

SDRP is helping producers who suffered revenue, quality or production losses to crops, trees, bushes or vines due to qualifying disaster events in 2023 and 2024.

“Since March, these programs have distributed $13.5 billion into the American countryside, including more than $5.5 billion to over 344,000 farmers through the SDRP and more than $8 billion to over 560,000 farmers through the ECAP across the country,” Rollins said.

SDRP funding is being administered in two stages. Stage 1 is for indemnified losses while Stage 2 is for uncovered, quality or shallow losses.

Signup for Phase 2 is expected to be announced soon.