USDA Drought Assistance Available for Livestock Producers

Jun 09, 2026

By Matt Poore

Livestock producers across North Carolina may be eligible for financial assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) as drought conditions continue to affect pastures and forage production statewide.

The program offers timely financial support to help offset feed losses for livestock producers when qualifying drought conditions reduce available forage for grazing animals. Because payments are tied to drought severity as documented by the U.S. Drought Monitor, many pasture-based livestock producers in North Carolina may already be eligible for assistance this year.

How the Program Works

LFP provides payments to eligible livestock producers when drought conditions reach specific trigger levels in a county.

For example:

Counties reaching D3 (Extreme Drought) status may qualify producers for up to three months of payments.
Counties reaching D4 (Exceptional Drought) status for four consecutive weeks may qualify producers for up to five months of payments.

Payment rates are based on USDA-established feed costs and are designed to help offset a portion of the increased feed expenses producers face during drought.

Source : ncsu.edu

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