18 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN August 2026 O ering Aid in Times of Natural Disaster HILARY MARICLE | STATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NEBRASKA FARM SERVICE AGENCY In agriculture we often speak of our resiliency, a key trait if we want to remain in this challenging but rewarding industry. It’s no secret the first six months of 2026 have tested that resolve for Nebraska cattle producers, with historic wildfires, drought and other weather extremes having impacts great enough that some of you are seeking assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) for the first time or the first time in a long time. Here is a brief outline of key disaster programs available through USDA FSA. Wildfire Programs The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides financial assistance for lost grazing acres, purchased or produced feed that burned up, your purchases of feed above what you normally would have purchased and reimbursement of some of the cost to transport feed/forage and water to livestock or livestock to feed/forage. If you had grazing animals die or had to sell livestock at a reduced price due to an injury from the wildfire, the Livestock Indemnity Program provides financial assistance for losses above normal mortality rates. Many of you are facing damaged or destroyed fences, leftover burned debris such as the charred remains of cedar trees and damaged or destroyed water facilities. FSA’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) is a cost-share program that can address these needs. An environmental and cultural review may be needed to comply with federal laws, with determinations made on a case-by-case basis. Several counties are implementing ECP with signup windows that may be closing soon. Drought Programs A key program to aid with drought-related grazing losses is the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). To participate in LFP, producers must have a risk in both grazing livestock and grazing land on the beginning date of the qualifying drought. LFP is implemented on a county basis and uses conditions reflected on the U.S. Drought Monitor to trigger LFP availability in a county. ELAP, noted above for wildfire impacts, also can be used in response to drought conditions. For drought, ELAP provides financial assistance for the above normal costs of hauling water and feed to livestock, as well as transporting livestock to forage or other grazing acres. ECP, also noted above as a wildfire impacts program, can help with drought recovery by providing cost-share to help farmers and ranchers implement emergency water conservation measures including watering systems for livestock. Working With Us While we’ve provided a broad overview of the assistance that USDA FSA can give, there may be additional types of aid available. With all these programs, documentation of disaster impacts and response is critical. Take dated pictures of losses, write down your response actions on a calendar, save receipts. All these can be important when applying for FSA assistance. The key take away is the knowledge that these and other resources exist, and the next best step you can take is to make a phone call to your local FSA office where staff can walk you through available programs, program requirements and highlight key deadlines. We have 71 FSA county offices in Nebraska. If you are not familiar with your office, you can go to farmers.gov/service-center-locator and sort for your county to find a local phone number and address. As a producer myself who has used these programs in the past, I know it can seem a bit overwhelming, especially if you don’t often work, or have never worked, with FSA. But if you could use some disaster recovery help, we are here for you. I strongly encourage you to reach out to your county office sooner rather than later to learn about your options. ~NC~ PERSPECTIVES
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