The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Kimball and Morrill counties in Nebraska as natural disaster areas because of losses caused by severe winter weather.
The USDA made the announcement on Monday.
Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Nebraska also qualify for disaster assistance: Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan and Sioux counties.
Qualified farmers are eligible for low-interest loans. They have eight months to apply for loans to help cover part of their losses.
Other programs are also available, including the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program, the Emergency Conservation Program and ones dealing with crop insurance
