Farmers and ranchers who have lost livestock to disease, resulting from a weather disaster, have an additional way to become eligible for a key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance program. USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey announced an administrative clarification to the Livestock Indemnity Program, which allows farmers and ranchers who have lost livestock to disease resulting from a weather disaster an additional way to become eligible for the key USDA disaster assistance program.
In the event of disease, this change by USDA’s Farm Service Agency authorizes local FSA county committees to accept veterinarian certifications that livestock deaths were directly related to adverse weather and unpreventable through good animal husbandry and management. The committees may then use this certification to allow eligibility for producers on a case-by-case basis for LIP.
“This change is part of USDA’s broader effort to better serve America’s farmers, ranchers and foresters through flexible and effective programs,” Northey said. “America’s farmers feed our nation and much of the world, and throughout history they have known good years and bad years. But when disaster strikes, USDA is ready to step in and help.”
LIP provides benefits to farmers and ranchers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather, disease or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government. Eligible weather events include earthquakes, hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, blizzard and flooding.
Farmers and ranchers interested in LIP or other USDA disaster assistance programs should contact their USDA service center.