By Scout Nelson
University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability (CAP) continues to provide guidance and recovery resources for ranchers affected by disasters. The center is highlighting federal assistance programs that can help livestock producers manage the long-term financial impacts of wildfires.
Beyond immediate livestock losses, producers often face additional expenses related to damaged grazing land, feed purchases, water hauling, and livestock relocation. These costs can continue long after the fire has been extinguished.
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) can help eligible producers recover certain wildfire-related expenses. The program is designed to cover losses that are not compensated through other federal livestock disaster assistance programs.
One of the most significant consequences of wildfires is the loss of forage. When pastureland is burned, ranchers may need to purchase supplemental feed or hay to maintain their herds.
Producers may also incur expenses for transporting feed and water or relocating livestock to other grazing areas. These added costs can place significant financial strain on ranch operations.
ELAP may provide assistance for eligible grazing losses, feed losses, feed and water transportation expenses, and livestock relocation costs. Eligibility requirements vary, so producers should work with their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to determine whether they qualify.
Accurate recordkeeping is essential when applying for disaster assistance. Producers should maintain feed and hay receipts, fuel and trucking invoices, water hauling records, grazing lease agreements, livestock inventories, and documentation of burned grazing acreage.
Livestock inventory records maintained before and after a wildfire can help verify losses and demonstrate the need for support. These records are often required to calculate eligible assistance payments.
Producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA FSA office as soon as wildfire-related losses occur. Early communication can help ensure that all necessary documentation and deadlines are met.
For 2026 wildfire losses, the deadline to submit a final ELAP payment application is March 1, 2027. Missing deadlines could affect eligibility for assistance.
Because different USDA programs address different types of wildfire damage, producers should discuss all losses with their local USDA Service Center. Additional wildfire recovery resources are available through the Center for Agricultural Profitability at https://cap.unl.edu/recovery.
Photo Credit: ontario-ministry-of-natural-resources
Categories: Nebraska, Government & Policy, Livestock