Drought recovery program available in Nuckolls County

Livestock Producers in Nuckolls County are eligible for drought recovery assistance according to Jay VanWesten, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) executive director for Thayer and Nuckolls counties. The agency is now accepting applications for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for grazing losses because of the drought. The deadline to apply for 2024 LFP assistance is Jan. 30, 2025.

LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses for covered livestock because of the drought on privately owned or cash leased land or fire on federally managed land. For LFP, qualifying drought intensity levels are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor. Producers in Thayer and Nuckolls counties are eligible to apply for 2024 LFP benefits for grazing losses on native pasture and full season improved pastures. Visit the FSA LFP webpage for a full list of eligible counties and pasture types.

Livestock eligible for LFP include alpacas, beef cattle, bison, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, ostriches, reindeer or sheep that have been or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland. Recently, FSA updated LFP policy to expand program eligibility to include additional income producing grazing animals, like horses and ostrich, that contribute to the commercial viability of an agricultural operation.

Livestock used for hunting and consumption by the owner and horses and other animals that are used or intended to be used for racing and wagering remain ineligible.

As a reminder, producers who want to participate in many USDA programs including disaster assistance programs like LFP, must file timely acreage reports by filling out the FSA-578 form to remain eligible for program benefits. Livestock producers interested in applying LFP should contact Thayer and Nuckolls County FSA at 402-768-6520 with any questions about the eligibility of specific livestock and forage crops.

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