In response to the damages and livestock carnage resulting from the recent Nebraska storms and flooding, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) of Nebraska is providing special emergency relief for livestock producers.
Taking effect immediately:
1. Allowance for Emergency Grazing on Conservation Reserve Program Acres (in Nebraska)
Addresses the impacts of flooding, snowmelt, and mud. Program is in effect through April 30, 2019. Paperwork must be completed through FSA county office before grazing can begin.
• For grazing authorization information, contact your Nebraska county FSA office.
• For extreme weather impact resources, visit www.farmers.gov and click on “Recover.”
• Nebraska FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/ne under the Spotlights section.
2. 45 Nebraska Counties Accepting Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) Applications to Address Damages from Flooding
Enrollment deadlines will vary by county (check with county offices). Applicants may receive up to 75 percent of the restoration cost to pre-disaster conditions. Producers with damage must apply prior to beginning recovery work.
• For information on ECP, contact your Nebraska county FSA office.
3. Applications Accepted through April 5 for Assistance with Livestock Mortalities
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing assistance to landowners to address livestock deaths and disposal through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applications accepted through April 5 (with a second cut-off date of May 1).
Producers may also seek assistance with other damages due to blizzard and flooding (damaged fencing, water sources, windbreaks, etc.) with no cut off for general EQIP applications.
• For NRCS program and assistance information, visit local USDA Service Center.
Should you have questions about the USDA’s disaster relief programs, contact our FSA program lead, Matthew Farrell, at mfarrell@kcoe.com.
