Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP)

Recover From Grazing Losses Due to Drought or Fire

When drought or wildfire reduces your pastures or grazing access, the LFP offers payments to help cover forage losses. It’s a long-standing USDA program used by cattle and livestock producers across the country.

Who Qualifies?

• Livestock owners or contract growers who maintain eligible livestock and graze on native or improved pastureland.

• Operate in counties experiencing qualifying drought conditions (or fire on federally managed grazing land) during the county’s declared normal grazing period.

• Must have livestock owned or leased at least 60 days before the start of a qualifying drought.

• Submit an application to local FSA and provide documentation of loss.

What Losses Are Covered / What You Can Get

• Payments offset forage / grazing loss (i.e. lost pasture) due to qualifying drought conditions.

• Also covers situations where wildfire reduces or prohibits grazing on federally managed lands.

• Payment rates are species-specific and often designed to cover about 60% of monthly feed / forage costs (for covered livestock) under normal conditions.

• A county must hit certain drought thresholds (e.g. “severe drought” for a number of weeks) before payments are triggered.

Key Deadlines

• Applications for LFP must usually be filed by March 3 of the year following the calendar loss year.

• For example, losses in 2024 would require your application by March 3, 2025

Apply & Get Started

1. Visit your local FSA (Farm Service Agency) office.

2. Use the FSA LFP eligibility / drought tool to check whether your county qualifies for drought assistance.

3. Fill out CCC-853 (LFP application form) and submit supporting documentation for grazing loss.

4. Retain livestock inventory records, pasture use data, and proof of forage loss.

5. If approved, payments will be calculated based on your eligible head count, grazing days lost, and local payment rates.