(CNN) - Farmers in parts of Nebraska and Iowa had precious little time to move themselves from the floodwaters that rushed over their lands last week, so many left their livestock and last year's harvest behind.
First, consider the revenue farmers will lose if they aren't able to plant this year. About 90% of Iowa's tillable acres are covered by crop insurance, and many of these coverages guarantee some revenue when planting is prevented, said Steven Johnson, a farm management specialist at Iowa State University.
Federal programs also can assist. The US Farm Service Agency offers money to livestock owners who've lost animals because of weather. It also offers funding to help them rehabilitate land damaged by natural disasters, in addition to emergency loans.