USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to New Mexico Producers Hit by Flooding, With Several Deadlines on March 1, 2027
OKLAHOMA CITY — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on October 19 that recent flooding has significantly impacted agricultural operations in New Mexico, and that technical and financial assistance is available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses.
"USDA has a suite of programs to support farmers and ranchers as they recover from natural disasters," said Richard Fordyce, Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, encouraging impacted producers to contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn about program options.
Under the programs outlined by USDA, producers who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality, or sell injured livestock at a reduced price, may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), with a notice of loss due to the Farm Service Agency (FSA) by March 1, 2027, for 2026 losses. The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) covers feed and grazing losses, and for honeybees may cover colony loss and hive damage, with the same March 1, 2027 deadline. Orchardists and nursery growers may seek cost-share help through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), applying within 90 days of the disaster event or when the loss becomes apparent.
Zachary Riley, FSA's State Executive Director in New Mexico, said impacted producers should timely report all crop, livestock and farm infrastructure damages to their local FSA county office and gather farm records, herd inventory, receipts and pictures of damages. USDA also listed farm loans including low-interest emergency loans, the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program, and the Emergency Conservation Program. Producers with Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage must file a notice of loss within 15 days of the loss becoming apparent, and those with federal crop insurance should report damage to their agent within 72 hours and follow up in writing within 15 days.
Risk Management Agency (RMA) Administrator Pat Swanson said crop insurance and other risk management options exist because producers never know what nature has in store, and urged close contact with crop insurance agents. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) said it will work one-on-one with landowners on recovery, and its Emergency Watershed Protection program can help local governments and tribal sponsors address debris removal and streambank stabilization, with requests due within 60 days of the disaster.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: New Mexico 一处牧场的长角牛（资料照片）。Carl Young 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons 发布。
