USDA Announces $235 Million in Disaster Relief

Payments totaling $235 million are being issued this week to producers hit by natural disasters, including Hurricane Milton in Florida, said the Agriculture Department. The payments make up the bulk of $375 million in spending announced for various USDA programs on Wednesday.

Some $143 million in crop insurance indemnities will be paid to Florida producers for wind damage from Hurricane Milton in early October, said the USDA. An additional $92 million will be sent to livestock producers who were forced to buy feed because of forage lost to drought and wildfires in 2022.

In addition, the USDA awarded $120 million in grants for six projects to expand independent U.S. fertilizer production and $20.2 million in grants to 26 projects to expand processing capacity among small meat processors.