NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Some New Mexico farmers and ranchers will be able to apply for emergency loans due to a recent USDA decision. Endangered Mexican wolf tracked roaming north of I-40, what to do if you see it A total of 11 New Mexico counties were designated by the USDA as "Primary Natural Disaster Areas for Drought." This natural disaster designation allows the USDA Farm Service Agency to offer emergency loans that can be used to meet various recovery needs, including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation, or to refinance certain debts. Below you will find a list of New Mexico counties that are eligible for loans: Primary Counties Eligible:  Catron Chaves Dona Ana Eddy Grant Hidalgo Lea Lincoln Luna Otero Sierra Contiguous Counties Also Eligible:  Cibola De Baca Guadalupe Roosevelt Socorro Torrance According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 Drought-Severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 Drought-Extreme or D4 Drought-Exceptional. Drought conditions in New Mexico as of March 25, 2025. (Credit:  U.S. Drought Monitor, https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?NM) Eligible applicants include farmers and ranchers who operate in a disaster-designated county and have experienced substantial damage or loss. Applicants must demonstrate an inability to obtain sufficient credit from other sources to cover their disaster-related needs. The FSA will review the loans based on the extent of losses, security available, and repayment ability. The application deadline is Nov. 25, 2025. Additional resources and how to apply for a loan The Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help you determine program or loan options. To file a Notice of Loss or to ask questions about available programs, contact your local USDA Service Center. ...read more read less