Reimbursement program available for loss of livestock due to extreme heat
Published 9:18 am Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Freeborn County USDA Farm Service Agency Executive Director Lee Crawford wants to remind livestock producers that FSA has a program to reimburse farmers for livestock losses caused by extreme temperatures.
Livestock producers who incur eligible livestock which include cattle, poultry and swine along with other death losses due to the recent extreme temperatures and other adverse weather events may be eligible for the USDA Farm Service Agency’s Livestock Indemnity Program.
Producers who suffered eligible livestock losses due to adverse weather will be required to provide documentation of the livestock lost and documentation of losses due to normal mortality for the calendar year FSA staff can provide producers with a list of acceptable loss documentation that includes proof of death, producer records and verifiable inventory documentation.
For livestock losses that occur in calendar year 2011, producers will have until, the earlier of, 30 days after the livestock loss became apparent to file a notice of loss to FSA, or no later than Oct. 31. In addition, producers will have until Jan. 30, 2012, to apply for payment.
Adequate documentation must prove the death of eligible livestock occurred as a direct result of an eligible adverse weather event in the calendar year for which benefits are being requested. If adequate verifiable proof of death records documentation is not available, a livestock producer may provide reliable records, along with verifiable beginning and ending inventory, as proof of death.
Certifications of livestock deaths by third parties, who are not affiliated with the farming operation, may be accepted only if verifiable proof of death records or reliable proof of death records is not available. Verifiable beginning and ending inventory records are also required with such third party certifications.
The program indemnity payments for livestock owners are based on 75 percent of the fair market value of the livestock and contract growers can be compensated at 75 percent of the average income loss sustained, as determined by FSA.
If you feel you had a loss above the normal mortality rate you should contact the Freeborn County FSA Office at 507-373-7960 or stop in to sign up for LIP. Producers can also learn more about LIP by visiting www.fsa.usda.gov.