Important USDA Disaster Assistance Programs Update for Livestock Producers

We want to make sure you are aware of available federal disaster assistance programs for livestock producers impacted by qualifying drought conditions. Please review the program details and eligible counties below to see if your operation qualifies.

1.  Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)

Purpose: Provides compensation to livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to qualifying drought.

  • Payment Rate: Equal to 60% of the lesser of the monthly feed cost for covered livestock or the amount calculated using the normal carrying capacity of eligible grazing land.

Eligible Counties & Payment Tiers:

  • 1 Monthly Payment: Adams, Dunn, Grant, Hettinger, McHenry, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Pierce, Sheridan, Sioux, Stark, Ward, Wells, Williams
  • 3 Monthly Payments: Barnes, Cass, Grand Forks, Griggs, McKenzie, Nelson, Ransom, Richland, Steele, Traill
  • 4 Monthly Payments: Billings, Bowman, Golden Valley, Slope

Lfp 2026 Payment Rates

2.  Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP)

Purpose: Provides assistance for livestock feed and grazing losses due to qualifying drought that are not covered under LFP.

Covered Losses Include:

  • Cost of transporting water to livestock
  • Above-normal costs of hauling feed to livestock
  • Costs associated with hauling livestock to new forage or grazing acres due to drought

Qualifying Counties: Billings, Bowman, Cass, Golden Valley, McKenzie, Slope, Steele, Traill

Elap

Next Steps: If your operation is located in an eligible county and you have experienced losses, we encourage you to contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to discuss application requirements.