LINCOLN- Nebraska agricultural producers have received $123 million of the $4 billion distributed nationally so far through a federal Emergency Relief Program designed to offset their losses due to natural disasters over the past two years.

John Berge, executive director of Nebraska’s U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, said natural disaster events have resulted in “catastrophic production and property losses” in Nebraska.

“Although these payments will not make these producers whole, they will help alleviate some of the financial stressors brought on by these severe and devastating weather events,” said Berge.

The federal government is implementing the emergency relief in two phases. The first phase uses existing claims data. Prefilled applications were sent out to producers with crop insurance who suffered losses; producers have until July 22 to submit those.

The second phase focuses on ensuring that producers not covered by other programs receive assistance.

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