USDA Offers Program Flexibilities for Texas Agricultural Producers Impacted by Recent Flooding

Strategic Insights -

The US Department of Agriculture has announced program flexibilities to aid Texas agricultural producers affected by recent flooding. The agency aims to provide assistance for crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses, with producers encouraged to report losses and learn more about available program options. The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) are among the flexibilities introduced, allowing for compensation for feed and grazing losses, as well as transport costs. Additionally, the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) offers cost-share assistance for replanting or rehabilitating eligible trees, bushes, or vines.

Key Takeaways:

  • The USDA has introduced program flexibilities for Texas agricultural producers affected by recent flooding, including the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
  • Producers experiencing livestock deaths or selling injured livestock at a reduced price may be eligible for LIP assistance, including contract growers of poultry and swine.
  • FSA has issued guidance to exercise maximum flexibility in determining acceptable loss documentation and ensuring timely LIP applications.
  • The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) provides cost-share assistance for replanting or rehabilitating eligible trees, bushes, or vines, which complements crop insurance coverage and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).
  • FSA offers a variety of direct and guaranteed farm loans to producers unable to secure commercial financing, including operating and emergency farm loans for low-interest emergency loans to help recover from production and physical losses.
  • Producers can request an annual installment deferral for FSFL borrowers in counties with a primary or contiguous disaster designation due to flooding, extending the next installment due date by a year.
  • FSA has authority to waive the 72-hour notification requirement for hand-harvested crop losses for flood-impacted producers.
  • The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) can assist landowners with financial and technical assistance to restore fencing, damaged farmland, and remove debris from feed stocks, water supplies, and feeding areas.
  • FSA is accepting ECP applications in 20 eligible counties to address damages from severe storms, straight-line winds, and flooding.

Statistics:

  • Over $100 million in disaster assistance has been designated for Texas agricultural producers affected by recent flooding (Source: USDA).
  • Eligible producers have until March 2, 2026, to submit a Notice of Loss and ELAP applications for 2025 calendar year losses.
  • 90 days are allowed to file a program application for TAP assistance after the disaster event or when the loss of trees, bushes, or vines is apparent.
  • $500 million has been allocated for the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program to address watershed impairments or hazards such as debris removal and streambank stabilization.

Sources:

  • "USDA Offers Program Flexibilities for Texas Agricultural Producers Impacted by Recent Flooding" (August 12, 2025)
  • Original text: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/08-12-2025/usda-offers-program-flexibilities-texas-agricultural-producers-impacted