Assistance available for livestock producers impacted by winter-related weather

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Perkins County Executive Director Teri Moss has announced producers who suffered livestock losses due to natural disasters, including extreme cold, blizzards or other severe winter weather, may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).

“The Livestock Indemnity Program provides producers with a vital safety net to help them overcome the financial impact of extreme or abnormal weather,” said Moss. “We’ve had some harsh winter weather this season that may have had a significant impact on livestock. We encourage producers who suffered losses to reach out to our office for more information about LIP.”

LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to an adverse weather event, including blizzards and extreme cold. The payment rate is based on 75 percent of the average fair market value of the livestock.

A livestock producer must file a notice of loss with FSA within 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock is first apparent. 

Livestock producers must provide evidence that the death of livestock was due to an eligible adverse weather event or loss condition. In addition, livestock producers should bring supporting death documentation, including documentation of the number and kind of livestock that died, dated photographs or video records to document the loss, purchase records, veterinarian records, production 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 Perkins County FSA office at 308-352-4747. To learn more about LIP visit www.fsa.usda.gov and scroll to “Fact Sheets” under “Popular Topics.”