Livestock Forage Disaster Program payments concentrated in Western and Central U.S.

A new analysis from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows Livestock Forage Disaster Program are concentrated in the Western and Central United States

USDA found that between 2008 and 2022, the program disbursed more than $12 billion of payments to livestock producers. Counties with the largest aggregate payments per 1,000 head of livestock are concentrated primarily in the Western, Southern, and Central United States, where drought conditions are generally more severe and common. About 20 percent of counties in the continental United States received no LFP payments between 2008 and 2022. These counties are primarily located in urban regions and the relatively more humid Eastern United States.

USDA provides payments to livestock producers whose pastures and rangeland are impacted by drought through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program. The program was established by the 2008 Farm Bill and uses eligibility criteria based on county-level drought conditions reported by the U.S. Drought Monitor.