Livestock Assistance Program Deadline January 30

Farm Service Agency executive director, Francie Tolle, reminds Oklahoma livestock owners who had disaster related losses in 2011 to visit their local Farm Service Agency office before January 30 to file an application for payment through the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) or the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).
The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to eligible livestock owners and contract growers for eligible livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather including losses due to floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat and extreme cold.
Producers must have filed a notice of loss the earlier of 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock was apparent or December 29, 2011. A notice of loss can be reported to the FSA office by phone, fax, or e-mail. Eligible livestock deaths must have occurred in the calendar year for which benefits are being requested. An application for payment must be filed no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the loss of livestock occurred. For 2011 losses, the application for payment must be filed no later than Jan. 30, 2012. Late filed applications will be disapproved.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides financial assistance to livestock producers who suffered grazing losses because of a qualifying drought or fire. Qualifying droughts will be determined based on U.S Drought Monitor ratings. Grazing losses due to fire are only applicable to rangelands managed by a Federal agency. Applicants must submit their completed application and all documentation no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the grazing loss occurred. For 2011 losses, the application for payment must be filed no later than Jan. 30, 2012. Late filed applications will be disapproved.
To be eligible for Livestock Forage Disaster Assistance Program (LFP) producers must: have certified all farm/ranch acreage, previously obtained crop insurance or enrolled in the Non Insured Disaster Assistance Program, provide verifiable documentation of produced/purchased forage or feedstuffs, and provide documentation of beginning and ending livestock inventories. To assist producers, a farm visit can be arranged to assess the eligible disaster condition and loss which may suffice for some of the required documentation. A measurement service fee will be charged.
Note: Eligible farmers and ranchers who meet the definition of “Socially Disadvantaged,” “Limited Resource,” or “Beginning Farmer or Rancher,” do not have to meet the crop insurance requirement.
Farm Service Agency has offices throughout Oklahoma; local offices are listed in the United States Government section of the phone book or can be found by visiting www.fsa.usda.gov/ok.