Disaster Assistance Available for Livestock Losses - August 4, 2026
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It has been a challenging few days with temperature and humidity extremes creating unfortunate circumstances for livestock producers across the state, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is here to help. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages producers, in response to the extreme heat conditions, to familiarize themselves with the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
LIP provides financial assistance for livestock losses above normal mortality due to eligible adverse weather events, including extreme heat conditions that are abnormal or unexpected, resulting in loss of livestock under normal management conditions. The extreme heat threshold for LIP assistance is established by each FSA state committee by species and using specific weather criteria (including temperature and duration).
If you have incurred livestock losses over the past few days, there are some specific actions you should be taking now if you are interested in applying for financial assistance through LIP.
Documentation of any livestock loss is critical. The article below provides details regarding appropriate loss documentation, but generally speaking, dated photographs and/or veterinarian records can serve as key loss documentation information. We know gathering this documentation can be emotionally challenging, but as we experience a break in the weather and you assess impacts, it’s imperative to document losses as thoroughly as possible. Contact your FSA county office as soon as possible to report these losses. While you have until March 1, 2027, to complete application paperwork for LIP assistance for 2026 losses, reporting losses now gives our office the opportunity to review the necessary information we need to help you successfully access program benefits.
Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rollins, our agency currently is working on implementation of policy enhancements to LIP that were passed as part of the historic Working Families Tax Cuts Act. This includes LIP coverage for unborn livestock losses and the opportunity for producers to request an alternative market value for eligible livestock to be used for the payment calculation. More information on the implementation of these producer-centric provisions will become available in the coming weeks and will be shared through a variety of communication channels. Again, for now, producers are encouraged to work with their FSA county office to document and report losses. You can book an appointment online through our new FSA Office Locator tool or you can contact your FSA office directly for assistance. Read more about LIP in the articles below.
We know you work hard to care for your livestock in all conditions, but LIP can provide important recovery assistance. Please stay in touch with us, and we’ll do the best we can to assist you.
Roger Chase
State Executive Director, South Dakota FSA
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The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather events, including qualifying extreme heat events, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law.
For 2026 livestock losses, you must file a notice of loss and application for payment to your local FSA office by March 1, 2027. The following supporting documentation must be submitted with your application:
- Documentation to support eligible loss condition
- Proof of death documentation
- Copy of grower’s contracts
- Proof of normal mortality loss documentation
- Livestock beginning inventory documentation
USDA has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock, i.e. Adult Beef Cow/Bull = 1.5%, Beef Non-Adult 800 lbs. or more = 1.5%, Beef Non-Adult less than 400 lbs. = 5%. These established percentages reflect losses that are considered expected or typical under “normal” conditions.
Additionally, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act recently has expanded eligibility for livestock losses. LIP will now apply to unborn livestock losses due to an eligible loss condition. In addition, producers can now provide sales documentation to support and request an alternative market value for their eligible livestock to be used for the payment calculation when it exceeds the national average market price established for eligible covered livestock. FSA is currently implementing policy updates associated with the Working Families Tax Cuts Act changes. For more information, contact your County USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov.
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If you’ve suffered excessive livestock death losses due to recent extreme heat, you may be eligible for disaster assistance programs.
The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) offers payments to eligible livestock producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to an eligible loss condition, including qualifying extreme heat events.
To participate in LIP, you will be required to provide verifiable documentation of death losses resulting from an eligible adverse weather event, and you must submit a notice of loss to your local FSA county office by the application deadline, which is March 1, 2027, for calendar year 2026 losses.
You should record all pertinent information regarding livestock losses due to the eligible adverse weather or loss condition, including:
- Documentation of the number, kind, type, and weight range of livestock that have died, supplemented, if possible, by photographs with a date or video records of ownership and losses;
- Contemporaneous producer records existing at the time of event;
- Rendering truck receipts by kind, type and weight - important to document prior to disposal;
- Beginning inventory supported by items such as birth recordings, purchase receipts, veterinary records, balance sheets, loan records, ear tag records, insurance documents;
- Documentation from Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Natural Resources, or other sources to substantiate eligible death losses due to an eligible loss condition.
- See our verifiable and reliable LIP documentation fact sheet for details.
For more information on these programs and documentation requirements, contact your local USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov/disaster.
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FSA in South Dakota
200 4th Street SW
Huron, SD 57350
Phone: 605-352-1160
Contact your local FSA farm program or farm loan office:
fsa.usda.gov/fsa-office-locator
Farm Service Agency
State Executive Director - Roger Chase
Deputy State Executive Director - Ryan Vanden Berge
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