USDA Adds Flexibilities to Disaster Assistance Programs for Flood-Impacted Producers in Texas

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the addition of flexibilities to its disaster assistance programs to support farmers and ranchers in Texas who have been affected by recent flooding. According to the USDA, these flexibilities aim to provide timely assistance to producers in need, including those who have experienced crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.

Key Takeaways:

  • The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has introduced flexibilities to the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to include the sale of injured livestock, in addition to contract growers of poultry and swine.
  • Producers who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or sell injured livestock at a reduced price may be eligible for LIP assistance.
  • FSA has also issued guidance to FSA County Committees and local staff to exercise maximum flexibility in determining acceptable loss documentation and to ensure LIP applications are acted on timely.
  • Eligible producers must provide acceptable documentation and a notice of loss to the FSA no later than March 2, 2026, for 2025 calendar year losses.
  • The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses, as well as assistance with transporting livestock and feed.
  • Producers with NAP coverage must report crop damage to their local FSA office and file a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) within 15 days of the loss becoming apparent.
  • FSA has waived the 72-hour notification requirement for hand-harvested crop losses.
  • Producers with risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance should report crop damage to their crop insurance agent within 72 hours of discovering damage and follow up in writing within 15 days.
  • FSA's Tree Assistance Program (TAP) offers cost-share assistance to orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes, or vines.
  • FSA has introduced flexibilities to the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to include cost-share assistance for the sale of injured trees, bushes, or vines.
  • Producers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans to help them recover from production and physical losses.
  • FSA offers a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans, including operating and emergency farm loans, to producers unable to secure commercial financing.

Statistics:

  • March 2, 2026, is the deadline for producers to report losses and file applications for disaster assistance under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
  • March 2, 2026, is also the deadline for producers to report losses and file applications for disaster assistance under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
  • 20 counties in Texas are eligible for Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) assistance to restore fencing, damaged farmland, and remove debris from feed stocks, water supplies, and feeding areas.
  • The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) can help producers plan and implement conservation practices on land impacted by natural disasters, including emergency animal mortality disposal.
  • 100% cost-share assistance is available for eligible producers through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program.

Sources:

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency (USDA/FSA)
  • USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA)
  • USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
  • August 12 ECP announcement