Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced SDRP top-up payments will start next week, doubling previous aid to farmers affected by 2023-2024 disasters, and extended the application deadline to August 12.
The payment boost, totaling $6.7 billion so far, aims to help farmers secure operating loans and address quality loss issues. USDA also plans to accelerate domestic fertilizer production through new investments and streamlined permitting.
Fertilizer prices have surged 30% since March, prompting national security concerns and an all-of-government effort to increase U.S. supply. USDA is also relocating hundreds of agricultural jobs to Missouri and St. Louis.
With USDA staff cut by 27%, can farmers truly expect their doubled disaster aid payments on time?
Disaster aid is doubled, but who qualifies for the new 'quality loss' payments for unsellable crops?
USDA is moving thousands of jobs, but will this help farmers or dismantle vital agricultural research?
Can the Commerce Secretary boost fertilizer production while facing conflict of interest scrutiny over his investments?
A new law offers farmers major tax breaks, but can they navigate the complex rules to benefit?
Will building new U.S. fertilizer plants break the alleged price-fixing grip of existing industry giants?