Minnesota State Wire

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Rural Finance Authority (RFA) Board has announced an expansion in the eligibility for its zero-interest Disaster Recovery Loans. These loans are now available to Minnesota farmers who have suffered livestock losses due to three specific animal diseases: avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV), highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and the H5N1 flu virus. Losses incurred between April 1, 2024, and February 24, 2026, will qualify for this program.

This decision builds on a previous RFA Board action from earlier this month that declared an emergency situation with these diseases, initially opening loan eligibility for losses from February 2025 to February 2026.

aMPV is known as a highly infectious respiratory disease impacting poultry. HPAI is another contagious viral disease affecting both domestic and wild birds and is often fatal. The H5N1 virus causes HPAI in poultry but can also impact dairy cows and other animals, although it rarely results in fatalities among cows.

The Disaster Recovery Loan Program aims to provide affordable financing to assist Minnesota farmers following declared disasters or hardship events like animal disease outbreaks. The funds cover expenses not insured, such as replacing flocks or livestock, making building improvements, or compensating for revenue loss when these are directly related to one of the specified animal diseases. Eligible farmers are advised to work with their local lenders to access loans through the RFA.

The Rural Finance Authority serves as Minnesota's agricultural lender focused on developing farm resources by offering low-interest loan programs for various farm-related activities.

Further details about full eligibility requirements can be found on the Disaster Recovery Loan Program webpage.