By Scout Nelson
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated five Wyoming counties as natural disaster areas due to severe drought conditions.
This designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) to provide emergency loans to farmers and ranchers who suffered losses.
The counties officially declared disaster areas include Converse, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, and Platte in Wyoming. Nearby counties in Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and other Wyoming counties are also eligible for assistance due to their proximity.
This disaster declaration is based on drought intensity measured by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The affected counties experienced either severe drought conditions for eight or more consecutive weeks or extreme to exceptional drought levels during the growing season.
Emergency loans from FSA help producers recover by providing credit to replace equipment, livestock, or to reorganize their farming operations.
The loans can also be used to refinance certain debts related to the disaster impact. Approval depends on the extent of loss, available security, and ability to repay.
Producers in eligible counties are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance before the January 5, 2026, deadline. This support aims to help farmers and ranchers regain stability and continue their operations after damaging drought conditions.
Counties eligible include Larimer and Weld in Colorado; Banner, Kimball, Scotts Bluff, and Sioux in Nebraska; Custer and Fall River in South Dakota; and Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Johnson, Natrona, and Weston in Wyoming.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: South Dakota, Government & Policy, Livestock