FSA Compensation For Livestock Death

FSA Compensation For Livestock Death

Susan Allen
Susan Allen
With today's Farm and Ranch Report, I'm Susan Allen in for Rick Worthington. It's been a heartbreaking winter for our family, like so many other ranchers we have fought in vain to save calves suffering from cold and illnesses like scours. I thought I would check in with aginfo reporter Bob Larson, on what FSA programs are available to help producers suffering weather loses.

LARSON: The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to eligible producers 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.

LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards, wildfires, extreme heat or extreme cold.

What do ranchers need to do to know if there is compensaton?

LARSON: For disease losses, FSA county committees can accept veterinarian certifications that livestock deaths were directly related to adverse weather and unpreventable through good animal husbandry and management.

For 2019 livestock losses, eligible livestock owners must file a notice within 30 calendar days of when the loss is first apparent.

Participants must provide the following supporting documentation to their local FSA office no later than 90 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred.

• Proof of death documentation

• Copy of growers contracts

• Proof of normal mortality documentation

USDA has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock, i.e. Adult Beef Cow = 2.0% and Non-Adult Beef Cattle (less than 400 pounds) = 5.0%. These established percentages reflect losses that are considered expected or typical under "normal" conditions.

Additional Information about LIP is available at your local FSA office or online at: www.fsa.usda.gov.

Thanks Bob and remember this program covers much more than weather loss, do check with your local FSA office for specifics.

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