Cattle ranchers are being encouraged to act quickly to apply for federal disaster aid available for Texas cattle ranchers in an effort to help rebuild and recover from drought losses dating back to 2011.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) officials presented updates on livestock disaster programs. Livestock disaster payments totaling $258 million have been distributed in Texas, according to AgriLife Today. Officials urged Texas ranchers to call one of the 173 county FSA offices to set up an appointment, as disaster aid programs deadlines draw near.

These programs include Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance, which includes loss in grasses planted for livestock and Livestock Indemnity Program for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather. It also includes the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, which is retroactive to cover eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses for covered livestock on land that is native, improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or is planted specifically for grazing.