FSA reminds producers of Jan. 31 Drought Disaster Resources deadline

McCOOK, Neb.. — Red Willow-Frontier County U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Kenneth Carriker reminds livestock producers of program resources to assist those impacted by 2021 drought conditions. The deadline to apply and complete paperwork for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) is Jan. 31, 2022.

LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately-owned land, leased land where the producer has a risk in the grazing or fire on federally managed land. Producers with land physically located in Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock Counties are eligible to apply for 2021 LFP benefits on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass or forage sorghum for grazing. ELAP provides financial assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish for losses due to disease, certain adverse weather events or loss conditions as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated the program in 2021 to include feed transportation costs where grazing and hay resources were depleted. ELAP also covers above normal costs for hauling water to livestock in areas where drought intensity is D3 or greater on the drought monitor. USDA also updated ELAP in 2021 to cover water hauling in areas experiencing D2 for eight consecutive weeks, lowering the threshold for this assistance to be available. These Counties became eligible for both LFP and ELAP due to drought status as shown on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

“Prolonged drought conditions last season created a need for livestock disaster assistance programs in these 4 Counties,” said Carriker “I encourage all affected livestock producers to contact their administrative County FSA Office to learn more and schedule an appointment before the January 31 application deadline.”

Livestock producers are encouraged to contact FSA with questions regarding specific program eligibility requirements. For LFP, several factors are considered regarding producer eligibility, including that a producer must have risk in the eligible livestock and risk in the eligible grazing lands. To be eligible for ELAP assistance, livestock must be intended for grazing and producers must have incurred feed transportation costs on or after Jan. 1, 2021. 

For farms with land in these counties and administered through the Red Willow-Frontier County FSA Office producers should contact the Red Willow-Frontier County FSA Office at 308-345-4163 or more information or to schedule an appointment. #

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.