Livestock indemnity programs available

Sign up under the 2005-2007 Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) will end on close of business July 18. All interested producers must apply by no later than July 18. There are no late-filed provisions.

The two programs provide aid to livestock producers who suffered eligible livestock or livestock feed losses between Jan. 1, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2007, due to a natural disaster. LCP provides payments to eligible livestock owners and cash lessees who suffered feed losses or increased feed costs and it does include grazing loss but not hay losses in the field. The LIP, on the other hand, provides payments to producers who incurred the death of livestock due to a natural disaster.

Under the LCP, qualifications will be based on individual producer losses and producers who qualify for more than one year can only receive benefits for one year. Producers with multi-year losses, who are not sure which year would be most beneficial, can apply for both but can only receive one payment. A producer had to have had eligible livestock physically located in the parish on the beginning date of the approved disaster event. Drought is an example of an eligible disaster event for grazing loss.

Eligible livestock include beef and dairy cattle over 500 pounds, buffalo and beefalo over 500 pounds, sheep, goats, deer, elk, swine, poultry, horses, mules and donkeys. Deer and horses cannot be free roaming or used for hunting, show, pleasure, rodeo stock or as pets.

Producers will be required to substantiate that the livestock were maintained for commercial use as part of a farming operation. Animals raised strictly for home use consumption are not eligible.

Producers will have to certify their livestock numbers as of the beginning date of he approved disaster period. Payment rates vary by category. If selected for spot check, verifiable documentation must be provided.

Crop Losses

Also, I would remind producers that we have a crop disaster program for 2005-2007 crops. This program will provide benefits to farmers who suffered quantity and quality losses from natural disasters in 2005, 2006 or 2007. Like the livestock programs, producers with qualifying losses in more than one year must choose only one year to receive benefits. Also, producers may apply for benefits for losses to multiple

crops, as long as the losses occurred in the same crop year.

Only producers who had crop insurance or coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for the year of the loss will be eligible. Producers must have suffered losses in excess of 35 percent to quality for CDP.

Producers who believe that they may be eligible or have questions are asked to call their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office.