U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Indiana Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Director Julia A. Wickard reminds Indiana livestock producers that assistance for grazing losses is now available through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). The Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill) makes LFP a permanent program and provides retroactive authority to cover eligible losses back to Oct. 1, 2011.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) will provide payments to eligible producers for grazing losses that have occurred since the expiration of the livestock disaster assistance programs in 2011, and including calendar years 2012, 2013, and 2014.
“Enrollment for LFP began on April 15th and producers have until January 2015 to apply for their 2012 grazing losses,” Wickard said. “I encourage producers affected by the 2012 drought to contact their local FSA office to make an appointment to sign up for LFP.”
Wickard said LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses for eligible livestock on land that is native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover or is planted specifically for grazing. The grazing losses must be due to a qualifying drought condition during the normal grazing period for the county.
For a complete list of eligible Indiana counties for 2012, visit https://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
For more information, producers are encouraged to review the 2014 Farm Bill Fact Sheet, check out the LFP fact sheet online or visit any USDA Service Center.
Source: IN FSA