The USDA is releasing more than $1 billion in payments over the next several weeks for agricultural producers with approved applications for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program and for those who have already received payments through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). These USDA programs provide disaster assistance to producers who suffered losses to 2018 and 2019 natural disasters.

Producers weathered significant natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, and USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provided support for crop value and production losses through QLA and crop quantity losses through WHIP+, according to a recent release.

“From massive floods to winter storms, and from extreme drought to excess moisture, natural disaster events in 2018 and 2019 were exceptionally catastrophic for agricultural producers nationwide - many suffered the impacts of multiple events in not just one but both years,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “FSA staff worked tirelessly for many months to develop and implement comprehensive disaster programs that meet the varying and unique needs of a large cross-section of U.S. production agriculture. QLA and the second round of WHIP+ assistance will provide much-needed assistance to help producers offset significant financial loss.”

Farm Press recently visited with Administrator Ducheneaux about the payments and future insurance coverage requirements. "There's a linkage now where the producer is obliged to buy at least 60% loss coverage through federally subsidized crop insurance providers-- that's part of the 'price' of receiving these payments," he said.

Ducheneaux also discussed upcoming local county committee elections and why it's important for people to get involved, and the operating status of the FSA offices throughout the state.