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
At CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney discusses profitability, consumer demand, and how the integrated U.S.–Canada beef supply chain impacts cattle producers across North America.
Top issues facing the beef industry took center stage at CattleCon this year in Nashville.
Texas cowboy chef and host of RFD Network’s Twisted Skillet, Sean Koehler, shares an elote-style street corn dip just in time for Super Bowl Sunday. This skillet-cooked corn dish combines open-fire cooking and bold regional flavors for a delicious twist on Mexican Street Corn.
Predator pressure and public lands policy were front and center at CattleCon.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Understanding the Big, Beautiful Bill’s complex impact on SNAP benefits – that’s the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV’s legal expert, Roger McEowen.
National Sorghum Producers CEO Tim Lust said farmers face a challenging year with strong supply, murky trade conditions, and uncertain access to their largest market: China.
RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James breaks down the state of agribusiness and harvest progress across the U.S. for the week of Monday, September 15, 2025.
Missouri Cattle RanchHER Alda Owen joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to talk about the all-new episode of FarmHER + RanchHER, which premieres on Thursday, Sept. 19!
U.S. trade talks with China resume, but meat industry leaders say dealing with shifting demand and market uncertainty is nothing new in this side of the ag sector.
Tariffs are pushing up input costs, with fertilizer prices rising $100 per ton and machinery costs climbing due to steel and parts duties.