How to determine which program fits your losses and how to prepare before you apply

Producers across the Midwest are still dealing with the fallout from the weather that hit in 2023 and 2024. Flooded bins. Lost forage. Heat stressed crops. Power outages that forced milk down the drain. Each loss chipped away at margins and cash flow. USDA has now released a new round of disaster relief programs that can help recover part of those losses, but each program comes with its own rules and paperwork.

Below is a clear breakdown of what matters, how you can qualify and the steps that will help you move through the process without delays.

  • Supplemental Disaster Relief Program Stage 2

Help For Production Losses That Did Not Trigger Other Payments

SDRP Stage 2 is designed for producers who took a hit and never got the support they expected. If you had uninsured losses, NAP covered losses that did not result in a payment or damage under an Annual Forage policy that did not qualify for Stage 1, this program may apply to you.

Applications open Nov. 24, 2025 and run through Apr. 30, 2026.
Form FSA 504 will be required.

Stage 2 uses a 35 percent payment factor and covers losses related to wildfires, floods, extreme heat, tornadoes, winter storms, drought and other qualifying natural disasters. USDA will process applications in a set order, starting with insured, NAP covered and uninsured crops. After that they move to trees, bushes and vines, then Stage 1 quality loss applications and finally insured crops in Puerto Rico.

Farmers who struggled with reduced yields or quality issues in 2023 or 2024 should take a close look at this program. Many producers will qualify even if they never received an indemnity or NAP payment.

  • On Farm Storage Commodity Loss Program

Support When Stored Grain or Forage Is Damaged

Producers who lost stored feed or grain after storms or equipment failures know how quickly the financial hit adds up. This program helps recover those losses, especially for operations that rely heavily on their own storage.

Applications open Nov. 24, 2025 and close Jan. 23, 2026.
Form FSA 878 will be required.

Eligible commodities include wheat, corn, barley, oats, grain sorghum, soybeans, seed cotton, pulse crops, peanuts, oilseeds, rice and all hay. The crop must be grown, harvested and stored on your farm for feed or forage use. The damage must be tied to a qualifying natural disaster and the structure must be on the farm.

Payment limits are set at 125,000 or 250,000 for farmers who meet the 75 percent AGI requirement. If your income is split across multiple activities, it is important to confirm your AGI percentage before you apply.

This program is especially important for farmers who lost hay during storms or grain that spoiled in damaged bins. The sooner you gather records and photos, the easier your application will be.

  • Milk Loss Program

Relief For Dumped Milk In 2023 And 2024

For dairies, the storms of the past two years have been more than an inconvenience. Power outages, road closures and weather-related disruptions forced many producers to dump milk without compensation. The Milk Loss Program helps cover a portion of that loss.

Applications open Nov. 24, 2025 and close Jan. 23, 2026.
Form FSA 376 will be required.

Payments are available for milk that was dumped or removed without payment due to qualifying natural disasters. Payment limits follow the same structure as the storage program. If at least 75 percent of your AGI comes from farming, ranching or forestry you may qualify for the higher limit.

If you had to dump milk at any point in 2023 or 2024, document what happened and confirm your eligibility. Many dairies underestimate the losses that qualify.

What Farmers Should Do Right Now

These programs can put meaningful dollars back into your operation but only if your paperwork is clean and your records are current. A few simple steps can help you avoid delays.

  • Contact your FSA administrative county office
    Ask for your prefilled SDRP Stage 2 application and confirm what documentation they need.
  • Talk with your accountant
    The AGI rule will determine which payment limit applies to your farm. This should be confirmed before you submit your application.
  • Verify your records with FSA
    Any changes in entities, leases or ownership should be updated now.
  • Collect production and inventory records
    Clean summaries make the process smoother and reduce the back and forth with FSA staff.
  • Get support early
    Most farmers do not have time to sort through confusing program rules. Adams Brown’s agriculture team can help you understand eligibility, organize records and prepare your applications so you do not leave money on the table.

Questions?

Weather will always be unpredictable but your access to the programs designed to help you recover should not be. The key is getting the right information early and submitting a complete application.

If you want help understanding which programs apply to your operation or need support preparing the documentation, reach out to an Adams Brown agriculture advisor.