In response to recent severe weather, including tornadoes and flooding across Missouri, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering a range of disaster assistance programs to support agricultural producers recovering from losses.
Farmers and livestock producers are encouraged to contact their local USDA Service Center to report damages and explore available recovery options. Assistance is available for crop, livestock, infrastructure, and land losses.
Among the programs offered:
- Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) helps producers who experienced abnormal livestock deaths due to adverse weather. Applications for 2025 losses must be submitted by March 2, 2026.
- Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) offers compensation for feed and grazing losses. The application deadline is also March 2, 2026.
- Tree Assistance Program (TAP) supports orchardists and nursery tree growers with replanting or rehabilitation of damaged trees and bushes. Applications must be submitted within 90 days of the loss becoming apparent.
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also provides low-interest emergency loans and loan servicing options to eligible producers facing financial hardship due to the disaster. The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) is available for producers needing to repair or replace storage infrastructure.
For more information, producers should reach out to their local USDA Service Center or visit www.farmers.gov/recover.
