Nebraska Department of Agriculture

  • Hay and Forage Hotline- The “hay and forage hotline” was created to connect buyers and sellers of hay, pasture, and other types of forage. This service is free to both buyers and sellers. The hotline is 402-471-4876, to see more information HERE.
  • List of resources for the drought on Nebraska Department of Agriculture HERE.

USDA Drought Programs and Assistance

Farm Service Agency

  • Nebraska FSA is implementing a number of drought disaster assistance programs as drought conditions continue to intensify across the state. Click on these links for details on a few key programs: Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP), and Conservation Reserve Program emergency haying and grazing. A few details can be found below as well.
    • LFP: This program provides financial assistance to livestock producers who have grazing land that has been impacted by drought. Producers must have eligible grazing livestock and eligible grazing land (so either own the acres or have a risk in those acres). If you are wondering whether your county has triggered for the Livestock Forage Program, click here for a list that is updated weekly, and then contact your county FSA office to initiate an application. Over 60 counties in Nebraska have triggered for this program in 2022.
    • ELAP: This program is available to qualified producers who have suffered above normal expenses for hauling feed or water to livestock or hauling livestock to new forage/grazing acres due to the impacts of drought. This program has triggered in the same counties as LFP as noted above. Please note, you must contact your county FSA office within 30 days of when you become aware of a “loss” that can be covered by this program, so as soon as you identify the need to haul supplemental feed or water, you should contact your county FSA office.
    • CRP Emergency Haying and Grazing: Emergency grazing or haying of CRP may be authorized to provide relief to livestock producers in areas affected by drought. The program triggers based on conditions outlined on the U.S. Drought Monitor; in Nebraska almost all counties have triggered for this program in 2022; click here to review the counties. Please note you must contact your county FSA office for approval before taking any action on your CRP acres. Learn more about CRP emergency haying and grazing by clicking on this link.

These programs and others were featured during a presentation by FSA as part of a drought resources webinar. Click here to view the webinar.

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides financial assistance to livestock producers for livestock deaths above normal mortality rates due to extreme weather conditions, which can include extreme heat. To participate in this program, producers must report livestock losses to their county FSA office within 30 days of when those losses become apparent.

Farmers and ranchers who are being impacted by drought and other extreme weather can get additional program information from their county FSA office. To find your local office, click here.

UNL Drought Resources

  • Learn more about resources HERE.