Drought designation opens emergency loan support for affected farm producers
The United States Department of Agriculture has designated several counties in Nebraska as natural disaster areas due to prolonged drought conditions. This designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to offer emergency loan assistance to affected agricultural producers.
The drought met federal intensity standards classified as severe, extreme, or exceptional during the growing season. These conditions caused reduced crop yields, livestock stress, and financial losses across many farming regions.
The primary Nebraska counties eligible for disaster assistance include:
Adams, Antelope, Arthur, Banner, Boone, Box Butte, Boyd, Buffalo, Butler, Cedar, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Clay, Colfax, Custer, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dixon, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Grant, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Hooker, Howard, Kearney, Keith, Kimball, Knox, Lincoln, Loup, McPherson, Madison, Merrick, Morrill, Nance, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Polk, Red Willow, Scotts Bluff, Seward, Sheridan, Sherman, Sioux, Valley, Wayne, Wheeler, and York.
In addition, contiguous counties also qualify. These include areas in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming that neighbor the primary disaster zones.
Under this designation, farmers may apply for emergency loans to replace damaged equipment, purchase livestock, reorganize farm operations, or refinance eligible debts. Applications will be reviewed based on verified losses, available security, and repayment ability.
Farmers have until December 15, 2026, to apply. USDA Service Centers and online tools at farmers.gov are available to help producers understand eligibility and access disaster recovery programs.
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