The CRAWDAD Act Expands Disaster Aid to Crawfish Farmers and Unweaned Livestock

The aptly named Crawfish Recovery Assistance from Weather Disasters And Droughts Act, or CRAWDAD Act, is trying to make sure federal disaster assistance programs actually work for the people who need them when the weather goes sideways. This bill focuses on expanding two key agricultural relief programs, adding drought coverage and making sure specific types of farm losses are officially recognized.

Expanding the Safety Net: Drought and Crawfish

Section 2 of the CRAWDAD Act tackles the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program. Previously, this program focused on severe weather events. Now, the bill explicitly adds drought as a qualifying disaster trigger. This is a big deal because drought is a slow-motion disaster that can wipe out harvests just as effectively as a hurricane, but often didn't fit neatly into the old rules.

Crucially, this section now specifically includes losses of crawfish harvest that happen because of adverse weather or drought. Think about the crawfish farmer—if a bad drought dries up their ponds or unseasonably cold weather hits, they can now apply for aid under the same program that covers bee losses or farm-raised fish. This is a clear move to modernize the program and recognize a specific, valuable agricultural product.

To make sure this works, the Secretary of Agriculture has to set up clear documentation rules for proving these losses, especially for crawfish. They have to consult with eligible producers to figure out the best way to prove that the disaster caused the reduction in harvest. While getting producers involved sounds practical, the government will need to make sure these documentation standards are robust enough to prevent fraud while still being simple enough for a busy farmer to actually use. It’s a delicate balance between bureaucracy and accessibility.

Making Sure the Little Guys Count

Section 3 addresses the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFDP), which helps livestock owners who lose grazing land due to drought or fire. The change here is simple but essential: it broadens the definition of "livestock" to include animals regardless of whether they have been weaned from their mothers yet.

Before this change, there was a risk that very young, unweaned calves or lambs might not be fully counted when calculating assistance for lost forage. For a rancher trying to rebuild their herd after a disaster, every animal counts. By explicitly including unweaned animals, the bill ensures that the disaster assistance accurately reflects the true size and value of the producer's herd, providing more comprehensive support when they need it most.