Producers Now Eligible for USDA Disaster Assistance

Producers Now Eligible for USDA Disaster Assistance

Sheep producers affected by drought, blizzards or other disasters  in 2012, 2013 or 2014 are being encouraged to apply for relief through a pair of USDA programs restored by the new Farm Bill.

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) will provide payments to eligible producers for livestock deaths and grazing losses that have occurred since the expiration of the livestock disaster assistance programs in 2011.

“Severe weather has caused economic hardship for producers and many have struggled to survive,” Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said as he unveiled the programs on April 15. “Thanks to the hard work of Farm Service Agency employees across the country to stand up these programs, farmers and ranchers can begin signing up for disaster assistance.”

Local FSA offices can provide information on the types of records applicants producers need. 
LIP provides compensation to producers who “have suffered livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather.” 

LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers that have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire on publicly managed land. An eligible producer must own, cash lease, or be a contract grower of eligible livestock during the 60 calendar days before the beginning date of the qualifying drought or fire in a county that is rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as D2, D3, or D4. Counties eligible for LFP assistance can be found at fsa.usda.gov. 
Skip to content