USDA reminds producers of Livestock Indemnity Program to assist with weather-related losses

FULLERTON — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Lorrie Robinson in Nance County today announced that producers who suffered livestock losses due to recent natural disasters, including extreme heat, may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to an adverse weather event or who suffered reduced sale prices for owned livestock due to injury from an eligible loss condition.

"The Livestock Indemnity Program provides producers with a safety net to help them overcome the financial impact of extreme or abnormal weather,” said Robinson. “The recent extreme heat has had an impact on some livestock producers, and we encourage them to reach out to our office as soon as possible."

Livestock producers who have experienced weather-related livestock losses are reminded that reporting and documenting those losses is an important part of the LIP application process. Producers must report losses within 30 days of when those livestock losses become apparent. A phone call to the county FSA office can serve as official notice of loss. Merrick Nance County FSA can be reached at (308) 946-3035, ext. 2.

Adequate documentation must be provided that proves the death or injury of eligible livestock occurred as a direct result of an eligible loss condition in the calendar year for which benefits are being requested. Robinson said documentation also must provide sufficient data that identifies the quantity and the livestock kind/type and weight range. Documents providing acceptable evidence could include producer records existing at the time of event, such as pictures or video with a date, rendering truck receipts or certificates, veterinary records, records assembled for tax purposes, private insurance documents, bank or other loan documents, brand inspection records or other similar documents.

For more information on LIP, to submit a notice of loss or to submit an application for payment, please contact the Merrick Nance County FSA office at (308) 946-3035. More information can be found online at farmers.gov/recover.