Two new bills introduced in Congress this week seek to bolster disaster relief for Texas cattle ranchers grappling with the aftermath of severe natural disasters, including the largest wildfire in the state's history. The proposed legislation aims to strengthen federal support for livestock producers who suffered massive losses during last year’s catastrophic wildfires in the Texas Panhandle.
The Livestock Indemnity Program Enhancement Act, introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX), would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide an additional payment rate under its existing Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Crucially, this added compensation would cover unborn livestock—a previously unrecognized loss under the current federal guidelines.
“The devastating wildfires that tore through our region claimed over 12,000 cattle, but that figure doesn't account for the countless unborn calves also lost,” said Jackson in a statement. “This legislation will establish vital compensation for unborn livestock losses, providing Texas ranchers the targeted financial support they urgently need to rebuild their operations and preserve our cattle industry's legacy following these devastating wildfires."
The bill comes in response to last year’s devastating wildfires in the Texas Panhandle, which scorched hundreds of thousands of acres and led to more than $27 million in cattle-related losses, impacting hundreds of ranchers and livestock producers across the region. The scale of the destruction overwhelmed existing relief programs, prompting calls for targeted updates to federal disaster response.
In the Senate, Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, both Republicans from Texas, are spearheading companion legislation.
“As a leading producer of our nation’s food and fiber, Texas must have the necessary resources to recover from the devastating impact of natural disasters and wildfires, including the loss of thousands of beef cattle in the Panhandle last year,” said Senator Cornyn. “This bill would provide additional support to livestock owners who lose their herds due to extreme and unpredictable weather events.”
Senator Cruz emphasized the economic and emotional toll of the fires on the state’s ranching communities. “The Texas Panhandle is a critical component of our state’s agricultural economy,” said Cruz. “Last year I visited areas devastated by the wildfires, and I made a commitment to the Texans affected by that disaster to secure the disaster relief they told me they needed."
The proposed legislation addresses a significant gap in federal relief by recognizing the financial loss of pregnant cattle and their unborn calves, which are not currently accounted for in USDA reimbursement formulas. Industry leaders and ranching organizations have long argued that the loss of unborn calves represents a substantial economic blow, especially for operations that rely on timed breeding cycles and calf sales to stay afloat.
If passed, the bills would direct the USDA to work closely with veterinary and agricultural experts to establish fair and science-based payment rates for unborn livestock lost in qualifying natural disasters, including wildfires, hurricanes, and extreme weather events.
Ranchers and agricultural advocates across Texas have welcomed the legislation as a long-overdue measure that reflects the full scope of their losses. Supporters hope the bipartisan nature of the proposal and the mounting urgency for rural disaster aid will help move the legislation swiftly through Congress.
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