USDA FSA Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Based on livestock count & drought severity
Direct pay for drought/wildfire grazing losses
LFP provides direct payments to livestock producers whose eligible grazing land was affected by qualifying drought or wildfire. Payment rates are based on drought severity (US Drought Monitor categories D2–D4) and the number of monthly feed costs the drought disrupted. No pre-application or sign-up period — producers apply at their local FSA office after a qualifying loss. This is a permanent, standing program.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $125,000
- Realistic amount
- Small ranchers with 50–100 head typically receive $5,000–$20,000 per qualifying drought event. Mid-size operations (200–…
- Deadline
- Applications must be submitted by March 1 following the calendar year in which the grazing loss occurred
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump sum
Who qualifies
- Livestock producers who own or lease eligible grazing land or pastureland affected by qualifying drought (D2 or above per US Drought Monitor) or wildfire on federally managed rangelands
- Eligible livestock: beef cattle, dairy cattle, buffalo, beefalo, water buffalo, equine, goats, sheep, alpacas, ostriches, emus, deer, elk, reindeer, and llamas maintained for commercial farming operations
- Livestock must have been owned or leased on the affected grazing land during the disaster period
- Must provide verifiable documentation of grazing losses, lease/permit agreements, and livestock inventory
- Must meet Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) limitations
- For drought losses: grazing county must have been rated at D2 Severe Drought for 8 or more consecutive weeks, or D3 Extreme Drought, or D4 Exceptional Drought at any time during the normal grazing period
Hard requirements
- Restricted to industry: livestock production (cattle, sheep, goats, equine, alpacas, etc. for commercial farming)
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- LFP is a direct payment program — funds can be used for any farm operating purpose
- Intended to offset costs of purchasing supplemental feed when grazing land is unavailable
- Haul water and feed when livestock cannot graze
- Any operating expenses associated with maintaining the livestock operation during the drought period
Ineligible expenses
- LFP payments are not tied to specific eligible expenses — this is a direct income-replacement payment
- Losses must be grazing losses due to drought or fire — not general market or income losses
How to apply
-
1
Verify qualifying drought or fire event
Check the US Drought Monitor (droughtmonitor.unl.edu) to confirm your county had qualifying drought conditions (D2 for 8+ consecutive weeks, or D3/D4 at any time) during your normal grazing season. For wildfire losses: confirm the fire occurred on federally managed rangeland you have a grazing permit for.
-
2
Gather documentation
Collect: (a) livestock records showing head count and type of livestock during the disaster period, (b) lease agreements, grazing permits, or deed for the affected land, (c) FSA acreage report (FSA-578) for the land, (d) CCC-853 application form (from FSA office). Contact your local FSA office before your first visit to confirm what documents are required.
-
3
File application at local FSA office by March 1
Submit all required forms and documentation to your local FSA Service Center. FSA staff will calculate your eligible payment based on livestock count, land acres, drought severity, and duration. File by March 1 following the calendar year of the loss.
-
4
Receive direct payment
FSA processes approved applications and issues direct payment via ACH to your bank account. Processing typically takes 30–90 days after a complete application is submitted. No matching funds required.
Industry & certifications
NAICS codes: 112, 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, 1129
Many ranchers miss the March 1 deadline because they don't realize their county had qualifying drought conditions. Check the FSA's LFP eligibility map regularly during drought season — don't wait for a notice.
Deadline & timing
Applications for losses occurring in calendar year 2025 must be filed by March 1, 2026. For losses in 2026, the deadline is March 1, 2027. Apply at your local FSA office — there is no online application portal. If you experienced qualifying drought in a prior year, check with your FSA office for whether that year's application window remains open.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.