LINCOLN, Neb. — As many are recovering from the worst wildfire disaster in Nebraska’s history, it is awe inspiring to witness the ways people from the across the state, country, and the globe are banding together and showing their support for producers in the Beef State. The Nebraska Cattlemen Disaster Relief Fund has received more than $2.2 million from more than 2,570 donors across Nebraska, 48 states and five countries. To every individual, family, business and organization that gave — thank you. Your support is helping Nebraska’s beef cattle producers recover, rebuild, and move forward after the devastating wildfires.

APPLYING FOR RELIEF

The NCDRF will close for donations and relief applications on Tuesday, Sep. 1, 2026. One hundred percent of the donations will be distributed to impacted producers and membership in Nebraska Cattlemen is not required for applicants to receive relief. Once the fund is closed, applications will be reviewed by a committee convened by the NCDRF and eligibility of expenses will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Funds are not distributed until the applications period closes and all applications are reviewed.

Funds will only be distributed to producers who experienced property loss or damage in areas where a fire was reported through the Nebraska Emergency Management Association Watch Center. As of July 28, 2026, the following counties have been reported through the NEMA Watch Center:

• Arthur County (Morrill, Vasa fires)
• Blain County (Road 203 Fire)
• Buffalo County (Elm Creek & Odessa fires)
• Cherry County (Ashby, Anderson Bridge fires)
• Custer County (Pressey Fire)
• Dawes County (Ash Pole, Clay Creek fires)
• Dawson County (Cottonwood Fire)
• Fillmore County
• Frontier County (Cottonwood Fire)
• Gage County
• Garden County (Morrill, Minor fires)
• Grant County (Ashby, Minor fires)
• Holt County (Peterson Fire)
• Jefferson Co
• Keith County (Morrill Fire)
• Lincoln County
• McPherson County (Daly Fire)
• Morrill County (Morrill Fire)
• Nemaha County (Peru Fire)
• Richardson County
• Saline County
• Seward County
• Sheridan County (Ashby Fire)
• Sioux County (South Fork, Log Road fires)
• Thomas County (Road 203 Fire)

Applicants may submit documentation for agriculture-related expenses not paid for by insurance or other governmental sources related to fencing, pens, agricultural structure repair, feed, livestock removal, or other necessary agricultural-related costs directly related to rebuilding from the natural disaster. Applicants must demonstrate expenses and losses incurred were related to agriculture production and directly caused by recent wildfires in the state of Nebraska.

Applications must be completed and have all required documentation to be considered. Documentation can include copies of receipts for purchases of supplies, invoices for repairs, photos of the damage and more. Please include losses of livestock, fence — miles or feet, land damage — specify grazing, crop, or haying loss, veterinary costs, feed costs/feed loss, and more in the description of impacts and loss to operation. If you need additional space to list damages, please include your additional list with the application.

For any questions, please contact the Nebraska Cattlemen office at (402) 475-2333 or email disasterrelief@necattlemen.org.

This Nebraska Recovery Roundup Update is brought to you by Nebraska Extension and the Center for Agricultural Profitability to provide timely information for producers and communities recovering from wildfire. Each installment highlights available resources and practical steps to support recovery. Follow the series and find wildfire recovery resources on the Center for Agricultural Profitability’s website, https://cap.unl.edu/recovery.