(NAFB) – The Department of Agriculture Monday urged those in the path of the severe weather forecast for the Southeast this week to take steps now to keep their food safe, and for farmers and ranchers to take proactive steps to protect their livestock.

The weather system is forecast to bring severe storms, including damaging winds, severe rain, potential flooding, hail and even tornadoes to parts of the Southern Plains and Gulf Coast.

Meanwhile, USDA offers several risk management and disaster assistance options to help producers recover after disasters. Farmers who suffer losses and whose crops are covered for the 2021 crop year by the Federal Crop Insurance Program, or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program are asked to report crop damage to their crop insurance agent or local FSA office.

Livestock and perennial crop producers often have more limited risk management options available, so there are several disaster programs for them. USDA encourages farmers to look for disaster tools, such as the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, on farmers.gov.