Government is adding up how much federal help is needed for flooding

As farmers and ranchers try to get feed to their cattle to keep them alive, or find the ones who have died, the government is adding up how much federal help is needed. According to the eight-page disaster declaration request filed by Nebraska officials, preliminary estimates put agriculture losses from the flooding and blizzard near the $1 billion mark. State officials on Wednesday said the numbers could continue to rise as more-detailed assessments are completed. "Losses to agriculture, the major industry for the state of Nebraska, are already being felt, due to it being calving season," the request said. "Thousands of livestock have perished either due to extreme cold weather, blizzard conditions, or extreme flooding. The loss of water supplies in many areas has caused large concern for large cattle, swine and chicken operations. The farms and feedlots could not be accessed due to floodwater and drinking water for the animals had to be trucked in." So far the Nebraska Cattlemen's Association has estimated feedlot and cow/calf operations have lost $400 million in livestock. Increased transportation costs from infrastructure loss are hitting feedlots to the tune of about $1 million a day, the written request said. In addition, feedlots have lost about $36 million in feed supplies. On the cropping side, state officials estimate a loss of about $440 million. Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Steve Wellman said on Wednesday that crop estimates include the cost of removing debris from fields, lost supplies stored on the ground and stored grain losses, among other things. As of Wednesday morning, about 375 miles of state roads remained closed. Later on Tuesday night, Nebraska Department of Transportation Director Kyle Schneweis said Nebraska Highway 275 reopened between Wisner and Beemer along the Elkhorn River. About 200 miles of state highways need repair. "We heard from several ag producers about how important this was," Schneweis said on Wednesday. "They can now make way into their fields." The federal disaster declaration request paints an ugly picture for Nebraska's agriculture-based economy.