Higginsville, Missouri — April 24, 2026, 16:02 CDT
- The USDA bumped the SDRP payment factor up to 70% from the previous 35%, unlocking a second round of payments for producers who’ve already been approved.
- Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 applications now have until Aug. 12 to file, after the deadline moved back from April 30.
- This comes right in the middle of the spring crunch for credit and planting, with the USDA noting $6.7 billion has already been distributed through the program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is rolling out a second round of Supplemental Disaster Relief Program payments for farmers facing losses from 2023 and 2024 disasters, effectively doubling the payment factor. The application window just got a lot wider, too: farmers now have until Aug. 12 to apply for either round of SDRP, after the deadline moved from April 30.
This shift could have big implications, given that lots of growers are still sorting out their planting-season financing. Richard Fordyce, USDA undersecretary for farm production and conservation, noted certain lenders had been holding off until this top-up was confirmed—he called the move “super important” for anyone chasing operating credit for this year’s crop. DTN Professional Farming
The USDA initially set SDRP payments at a 35% payment factor, so farmers saw just over a third of what they were eligible for. That jumps to 70% now, doubling the payout rate—approved applicants are set to receive another 35% of their calculated amount. Going forward, SDRP payments will reflect this updated factor.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, during remarks in Missouri, described the rise as a “significant increase” in support for farmers and ranchers. The USDA added that the Farm Service Agency has already handed out $6.7 billion in SDRP payments. DTN Professional Farming
This program forms part of a broader set of farm aid measures. According to the USDA, the administration has so far distributed over $17.9 billion in supplemental disaster relief required by Congress. That total includes $9.3 billion allocated through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, along with almost $1.9 billion from the Emergency Livestock Relief Program.
SDRP offers relief for crop, tree, bush, and vine losses linked to eligible disasters in both 2023 and 2024. Stage 1 targets producers whose losses were covered by indemnity—meaning their losses resulted in crop insurance payouts or triggered payments from the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Stage 2 addresses losses that didn’t qualify for those payments: uninsured, non-indemnified, and quality losses, including “shallow” losses—those not significant enough to trigger an insurance claim. Farm Service Agency
Wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze events, smoke exposure, excess moisture and qualifying drought all make the disaster list. For drought, producers need to show losses in a county with at least eight consecutive weeks of D2 severe drought, or D3 extreme drought or worse. Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine and Massachusetts aren’t getting direct SDRP payments—those states are using block grants instead.
The payout process isn’t straightforward for all producers. Fordyce mentioned the USDA is in the middle of a “re-education of staff,” aiming to sort out policy updates on quality-loss claims, with some farmers and local FSA offices still unclear on acceptable documentation. According to DTN, certain Mid-South rice growers remain stuck with their 2024 crop in storage, held back by quality issues that have blocked sales—and that’s made it tougher for them to receive SDRP payments. DTN Professional Farming
Stage 1 applicants need to file Form FSA-526, while those in Stage 2 should go with Form FSA-504. Completed forms can be brought to a local FSA county office, sent via email or fax, or submitted electronically through Box and OneSpan. Producers also have to make sure their basic eligibility and farm record forms are already on file.
But there’s a snag after the payout: Any producer taking SDRP funds has to lock in federal crop insurance or NAP coverage at no less than 60% for the following two eligible crop years—or else, the SDRP money, plus interest, has to go back.
Rollins made the announcement while also pointing to potential federal moves on fertilizer prices—another challenge for producers as spring approaches. According to her, the administration could soon roll out incentives or funding aimed at boosting domestic fertilizer output. Meanwhile, DTN reported anhydrous ammonia had climbed past $1,100 a ton, up roughly 30% since late February.
The deadline extension replaces the earlier directive that gave farmers until April 30 to file applications and set a 35% payment rate. Agroinformacion flagged the initial cutoff earlier this week, but USDA revised both the timeline and the payment factor on Friday.
