September 30, 2009
US ranchers under LFP get forage disaster payments
Ranchers who signed up for the Livestock Forage Disaster Programme (LFP) had begun receiving disaster payments for forage losses due to severe drought, US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced.
LFP is one of the disaster programmes, which help stabilise the livestock industry when disasters occur.
The payments would help producers recover from financial setbacks due to drought, said Vilsack.
Producers are reminded that LFP sign up for 2008 losses ends December 10, 2009, and January 30, 2010, for 2009 losses.
The first LFP payments were issued to ranchers in two of the hardest hit disaster counties in the US: Wilson and Guadalupe counties in Texas.
The assistance will help ranchers provide feed for their livestock this autumn. Producers in all counties that have suffered a severe, extreme or exceptional drought according to the US Drought Monitor are encouraged to visit their local FSA county office to apply for assistance under LFP.
LFP provides payments to eligible livestock producers that have suffered livestock grazing losses due to qualifying drought or fire.
Eligible livestock under LFP include beef cattle, alpacas, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep and swine.
Losses due to drought and qualifying drought ratings are determined using the US Drought Monitor.
