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1 1 (August 6, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/goveqfy0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service Inforrning the aegislative debate a nce 1914 August 6, 2024 Federal Agricultural Assistance for Extreme Heat The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reported June 2023 to May 2024 as 12 consecutive months of record-high monthly average global surface temperatures (Figure 1). The U.S. Global Change Research Program's Fifth National Climate Assessment reported, it is very likely that heatwaves will increase in frequency, severity, and duration as warming continues. Extreme heat conditions can impact agricultural productivity (e.g., decrease commodity yields and increase livestock deaths) and farm profitability. For example, one peer-reviewed study found that two days of relatively high temperatures reduced yields in many non-irrigated U.S. row crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers programs designed to offer financial assistance to U.S. agricultural producers recovering from production losses, including those due to extreme heat conditions. Figure I. Global Surface Temperature Anomalies (NASA), June 2023-May 2024 I95 I-1980 reference period for comparison CELSIUS -40C -30C -20C -10C 0 + C +20C +3*C +4C -60F -40F -20F 0 +20F +40F +6*F FAHRENHEIT Source: NASA, Twelve consecutive months of global surface temperature records: June 2023 - May 2024,July II, 2024. Note: For more information about data represented in the image, see NASA, Goddard Institute for Space Studies. This In Focus provides an overview of USDA programs available to assist agricultural producers in recovering from extreme heat conditions. It does not discuss other programs for community water, housing, or food assistance offered by USDA or other federal agencies. For more information on other heat-related disaster assistance, see CRS Report R46873, Emergency Response to Extreme Heat: Federal Financial Assistance and Considerations for Congress. Definition of Extreme Heat Federal agencies define extreme heat in different ways and use a combination of factors that may include temperature, relative humidity, event duration, and historical trends. An extreme heat event is often defined relative to a region's climate. Extreme heat differs from drought, which generally refers to a deficiency of precipitation over an extended period of time resulting in a water shortage. For information on federal drought response programs, see CRS Report R4691 1, Drought in the United States: Science, Policy, and Selected Federal Authorities. Summary of Selected USDA Programs USDA insurance and direct payment programs may financially compensate agricultural producers for a portion of lost production caused by extreme heat. Several such programs are permanently authorized and receive indefinite mandatory funding. In general, to receive USDA agricultural assistance, certain eligibility requirements must be met. For the insurance programs, eligible producers must purchase a policy prior to an event and may be required to pay an administrative fee, premium, or both. For the direct payment programs, eligible producers are not required to sign up prior to the qualifying event or pay to participate. Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCP) FCIP offers farmers the opportunity to purchase insurance against financial losses caused by certain adverse growing and market conditions, including extreme heat. In general, FCIP offers insurance coverage for most field crops, a wide variety of specialty crops, certain types of livestock and animal products, and grazing lands. FCIP does not cover losses of livestock, dairy, or grazing lands due to extreme heat events. USDA calculates FCIP indemnities to farmers for eligible losses based on the type of FCIP policy purchased and the level of coverage selected by the producer. Annual FCIP policies must be purchased prior to a qualifying event. Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) With limited exceptions, producers growing commercial crops for food, fiber, or livestock consumption that are ineligible for certain crop insurance policies may apply for NAP coverage. USDA calculates NAP indemnities to farmers for eligible losses based on the type of NAP policy purchased and the level of coverage selected by the producer. Annual NAP policies must be purchased prior to a qualifying event. Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) LIP may provide direct payments to eligible livestock producers for livestock deaths exceeding normal rates due to extreme heat and other qualifying losses. Eligible losses 0

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