Agricultural operations in Washington have been significantly impacted by recent drought and wildfires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events.
“We know current drought and wildfire conditions are adversely impacting crops, land, water supplies and livestock, creating financial and emotional strain for the farmers and ranchers we serve,” said Farm Production and Conservation Under Secretary Richard Fordyce. “USDA has a suite of programs to support farmers and ranchers as they recover from disasters. I encourage impacted producers to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.”
USDA Disaster Assistance
Livestock producers who suffered grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land, or fire on federally managed land, may be eligible for the 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). To participate in LFP, producers must own, cash or share lease, or contract grow eligible livestock; provide pasture or grazing land to eligible livestock on the beginning date of the qualifying drought; and certify that they suffered a grazing loss due to drought. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) maintains a list of counties eligible for LFP and makes updates each Thursday.
Producers who have a risk in the pasture or hay crop must have an acreage report for all grazing land for which a grazing loss is claimed. LFP applicants who lease acres must be able to support their application with either a written lease or an Annual Lease Certification (form CCC-855).
Producers must submit an LFP application for payment and supporting documentation no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 losses.
Producers who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality, sell injured livestock at a reduced price or suffer livestock losses due to qualifying extreme heat may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). To participate in LIP, producers must provide acceptable documentation of death losses or evidence of reduced sales resulting from an eligible adverse event and submit a notice of loss to FSA no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses.
Source : usda.gov