(KLZA)--A Presidential disaster declaration will allow the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to extend emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans.

Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts.The FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability.

Severe winter storms and straight-line winds in March triggered the Presidential declaration.

Primary Nebraska counties that are eligible for the loans include Johnson, Otoe and Jefferson counties in southeast Nebraska with Pawnee, Nemaha, and Gage counties eligible since they are contiguous to the primary counties.

Atchison County, Missouri is also eligible since it is contiguous to Otoe County, Nebraska.

Producers in the eligible counties suffering losses have until January 21, 2026 to apply for the loans at their local USDA Service Center