Eligible ranchers and other livestock producers can apply to receive benefits under the new Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
These ad hoc disaster programs provide benefits to farmers and ranchers who suffered losses caused by natural disasters in recent years.
Between 2005 and early 2007, agricultural producers across the country experienced financial difficulties as the result of devastating drought, floods, blizzards, tornadoes and other natural disasters.
The LCP provides benefits to livestock producers for feed losses occurring between Jan.1, 2005, and Feb. 28, 2007, due to a natural disaster—including producers who suffered losses resulting from blizzards that started in 2006 and continued into January 2007.
Producers in primary counties declared secretarial disaster areas, including Marion County, or certain counties declared presidential disaster areas between Jan. 1, 2005, and Feb. 28, 2007, are eligible, as are producers located in counties contiguous to those counties.
Livestock must have been owned on the start date of the disaster designation and be physically located in the disaster county.
The LCP’s primary purpose is to assist producers that have suffered native grass pasture and forage grazing losses.
The LIP compensates livestock producers for actual livestock losses between Jan. 1, 2005, and Feb. 28, 2007, that resulted from natural disasters, including losses due to blizzards that started in 2006 and continued into January 2007.
Drought causes cannot be applied to this program.
For LIP and LCP, producers incurring a loss in more than one of the 2005, 2006 or 2007 qualifying years must choose only one year for which they want to apply for benefits.
Upon application, producers will be expected to provide record documentation that can include feed purchase receipts, vet records, rendering truck receipts, production records, IRS and property-tax records, written contracts, or insurance documents to substantiate losses.
In an effort to expedite the application process and provide efficient, quality customer service, it is recommended that producers call their respective FSA county office to schedule an appointment for disaster program assistance.
For detailed application and eligibility information, please contact the Marion County FSA at 620-382-3714. Interested producer can also access LCP, LIP and CDP fact sheets on FSA’s Web site: www.fsa.usda.gov; click on “Disaster Assistance Programs.”
