Rural Money: IRS Extends Drought Relief for Livestock Producers

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to break down what this extension means for affected ranchers.

OMAHA, Neb. (RFD-TV) — The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced its decision this week to extend relief for ranchers impacted by drought, giving producers more time to replace livestock and defer taxes on gains from forced sales due to dry conditions.

Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to break down what this extension means for affected ranchers.

In an interview with RFD-TV News, Neiffer explained the details of the IRS extension, including the amount of income from forced livestock sales that can be deferred under the provision and which producers are eligible. He also offered guidance on whether deferring taxes is the right decision for individual operations facing drought-related herd reductions.

Neiffer emphasized that producers should consult their tax advisors to make the best choice for their business as they navigate the financial challenges brought on by extreme weather.

For more information about the IRS drought-relief extension and eligibility guidelines, visit IRS.gov or contact your local Farm Service Agency office.

Related Stories
Tim and Sharyn Abbott of the Music City Celebration Sale preview the weekend’s premier auction, drawing breeders to Nashville again this year.
“I’m not sure where this bridge goes,” trader Brady Huck with Advanced Trading told RFD-TV News earlier this week.
Plan for sharp, short-term volatility after unexpected outages; permanent closures rarely trigger major price spread disruptions.
Strong Farm Credit finances help cushion producers, but prolonged low crop margins could strain renewals in 2026.
USDA data confirms that U.S. agriculture remains overwhelmingly family-run despite structural shifts in scale and production, according to a new analystis by Farm Flavor.
The specific provision in the CO₂ storage law allowed the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) to authorize carbon storage projects to proceed even if they lacked unanimous consent from all affected landowners.