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Natural resources

USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Wyoming Impacted by Wildfire

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Agricultural operations in Wyoming have been significantly impacted by recent wildfires, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offering technical and financial assistance to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. The USDA has a suite of programs to support farmers and ranchers as they recover from disasters, including the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Producers who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or sell injured livestock at a reduced price may be eligible for LIP, while those who experience losses related to wildfire should check with their local FSA office for LIP eligibility criteria. Additionally, the USDA offers a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans, including operating and emergency farm loans, to producers unable to secure commercial financing.

Key Takeaways:

  • The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers disaster assistance programs to help agricultural producers in Wyoming recover from wildfires, including the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
  • Producers who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or sell injured livestock at a reduced price may be eligible for LIP, and must submit a notice of loss to the FSA no later than March 2, 2026, for 2025 calendar year losses.
  • Producers who experience losses related to wildfire should check with their local FSA office for LIP eligibility criteria.
  • The FSA also offers a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans, including operating and emergency farm loans, to producers unable to secure commercial financing.
  • Producers in need of on-farm storage are encouraged to contact USDA's Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL), which provides low-interest financing to build, repair, replace or upgrade facilities to store commodities.
  • Risk Management Producers with NAP coverage should report crop damage to their local FSA office and file a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) within 15 days of the loss becoming apparent.
  • Conservation outside of the primary nesting season, emergency and non-emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres may be authorized to provide relief to livestock producers in areas affected by a severe drought or similar natural disasters.

Statistics:

  • 60 days: Sponsors must submit a formal request to the NRCS state conservationist for assistance through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program.
  • 90 days: A program application must be filed for the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) to replant or rehabilitate eligible trees, bushes or vines.
  • March 2, 2026: Producers must submit a notice of loss to the FSA for 2025 calendar year losses related to the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
  • 72 hours: Producers with crop insurance coverage must report crop damage to their crop insurance agent.
  • 15 days: Producers with risk protection through Federal Crop Insurance must file a written notice of loss.

Sources:

  • USDA Farm Service Agency news release, August 29, 2025
  • USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) Regional Office press release, August 29, 2025
  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) press release, August 29, 2025
  • Farmers.gov disaster assistance resources

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