USDA Expands ELAP to Assist Dairy Producers with Milk Loss Due to H5N1
Source: DairyNews.today
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded its Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) to provide financial relief to dairy producers affected by milk loss resulting from H5N1 avian influenza infections.
Through this update, the USDA aims to mitigate financial impacts stemming from reduced milk production when cattle in dairy herds test positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.
Eligible dairy producers must submit applications through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to recover a portion of losses associated with cows that are removed from commercial milking. To qualify, herds must have a confirmed positive H5N1 test, verified by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).
USDA’s Commitment to Dairy Producers
"USDA remains committed to working with producers and other stakeholders to address the challenges posed by H5N1," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "We are committed to providing the necessary financial support to help producers recover and continue production."
ELAP provides critical relief for producers experiencing losses due to adverse conditions not covered by other FSA disaster programs, including disease outbreaks such as H5N1. The program has been expanded in response to the recent detections of the virus in 14 states, including major agricultural regions like California, Minnesota, and Texas. Dairy producers across the country are encouraged to maintain vigilance in biosecurity practices and adhere to testing guidelines established by APHIS.
To qualify for assistance under the expanded ELAP, dairy producers must meet the following criteria:
Herd Confirmation: The herd must have a positive H5N1 test confirmed by NVSL.
Removal from Production: Cows must have been removed from production within the 14-day period before the sample collection date, through 120 days after the positive test.
Milk Production: The affected cows must be milk-producing and lactating during the eligible period.
Financial Risk: Producers must demonstrate financial risk in the herd at the time of the loss.
Producers are required to submit proof of herd infection, along with a notice of loss, and an application for payment. The deadline for submission is 30 days after the end of the calendar year, or January 30, 2025.
Payment Calculation for ELAP
The payment for milk loss due to H5N1 is calculated based on the assumption of a 21-day period of no milk production, followed by a 7-day period of reduced production at 50% capacity. The payment rate is derived from the monthly all-milk price and national production statistics. The formula used to calculate payments is as follows:
Per head payment rate x number of eligible adult cows x producer’s share in milk production x 90%
This system ensures that producers receive compensation aligned with industry averages and specific herd losses.
Details on the expanded ELAP policy are set to be published in the Federal Register, with updates available on the USDA and APHIS websites. Dairy producers impacted by H5N1 are urged to contact their local USDA Service Center to begin the application process and receive further guidance on eligibility and documentation requirements.
The USDA is continuing to collaborate with state veterinarians, animal health professionals, and public health agencies to monitor and manage the spread of H5N1, ensuring that all affected producers are supported through this challenging time.
Eligible dairy producers must submit applications through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to recover a portion of losses associated with cows that are removed from commercial milking. To qualify, herds must have a confirmed positive H5N1 test, verified by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL).
USDA’s Commitment to Dairy Producers
"USDA remains committed to working with producers and other stakeholders to address the challenges posed by H5N1," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "We are committed to providing the necessary financial support to help producers recover and continue production."
ELAP provides critical relief for producers experiencing losses due to adverse conditions not covered by other FSA disaster programs, including disease outbreaks such as H5N1. The program has been expanded in response to the recent detections of the virus in 14 states, including major agricultural regions like California, Minnesota, and Texas. Dairy producers across the country are encouraged to maintain vigilance in biosecurity practices and adhere to testing guidelines established by APHIS.
To qualify for assistance under the expanded ELAP, dairy producers must meet the following criteria:
Herd Confirmation: The herd must have a positive H5N1 test confirmed by NVSL.
Removal from Production: Cows must have been removed from production within the 14-day period before the sample collection date, through 120 days after the positive test.
Milk Production: The affected cows must be milk-producing and lactating during the eligible period.
Financial Risk: Producers must demonstrate financial risk in the herd at the time of the loss.
Producers are required to submit proof of herd infection, along with a notice of loss, and an application for payment. The deadline for submission is 30 days after the end of the calendar year, or January 30, 2025.
Payment Calculation for ELAP
The payment for milk loss due to H5N1 is calculated based on the assumption of a 21-day period of no milk production, followed by a 7-day period of reduced production at 50% capacity. The payment rate is derived from the monthly all-milk price and national production statistics. The formula used to calculate payments is as follows:
Per head payment rate x number of eligible adult cows x producer’s share in milk production x 90%
This system ensures that producers receive compensation aligned with industry averages and specific herd losses.
Details on the expanded ELAP policy are set to be published in the Federal Register, with updates available on the USDA and APHIS websites. Dairy producers impacted by H5N1 are urged to contact their local USDA Service Center to begin the application process and receive further guidance on eligibility and documentation requirements.
The USDA is continuing to collaborate with state veterinarians, animal health professionals, and public health agencies to monitor and manage the spread of H5N1, ensuring that all affected producers are supported through this challenging time.
