Farm Service Agency Offers Disaster Assistance
Farm Service Agency Offers Disaster Assistance
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help livestock producers who suffered excessive livestock death losses and grazing or feed losses as a result of eligible natural disasters. The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law.
For 2022 livestock losses, livestock producers must file a notice within 30 calendar days of when the loss was first apparent. Supporting documentation must be provided to the local FSA office no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred with proof of death documentation. USDA has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock. In addition to filing a notice of loss, producers must also submit an application for payment by March 1.
Livestock inventory records are necessary in the event of a natural disaster, so producers are reminded to keep them updated. To participate in livestock disaster assistance programs, eligible producers are required to provide verifiable documentation of beginning inventory along with documentation of death losses resulting from an eligible adverse weather event. Producers should record all pertinent information regarding livestock inventory records including documentation of the number, kind, type and weight range of livestock.
The most common type of documentation for beginning inventory are financial statements from a bank supported by the birth records and/or purchase or sale receipts for adjustments in livestock numbers after the effective date of the financial statement. Veterinarian records may also be used to support inventory numbers along with third party certifications.
For more information about livestock disaster programs and acceptable inventory records, contact the Grant County FSA office at 605-432-6570, ext. 2 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.
