The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has a number of programs available to help farmers and ranchers affected by the recent wildfires in the state according to FSA State Executive Director Judy Olson.
“It’s too early to determine the extent of damage and loss but we are already receiving calls inquiring about help with forage and livestock losses,” said Olson, whose agency administers federal farm programs.
Livestock producers may be eligible to receive financial compensation for livestock death under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Eligible livestock include: adult cattle, buffalo and beefalo, deer, elk, equine, sheep, alpacas, emus, swine, goats, llamas, and poultry.
“Livestock must be part of a commercial farming operation,” explained Olson.
Payment rates are on a per-head basis. FSA makes payments of 75 percent of the fair market value of the livestock to livestock owners. Swine and poultry contract growers may receive 75 percent of the average income loss they sustain.
Additionally, the federal agency provides financial compensation for forage and pasture losses under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) or the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP). “The primary difference is whether the losses occurred on federally managed lands or on private land,” explained Olson. “If on private land, a rancher may qualify for ELAP; if on federally managed lands, a rancher may apply for LFP.”
FSA makes LFP payments based on a portion of feed costs used to make up for lost grazing access. ELAP payments are subject to a national payment factor since there is a set amount of funding nationwide for ELAP applications.
“Farmers and ranchers interested in these three livestock disaster relief programs should report their losses to their local Farm Service Agency office within 30 days of discovering the loss,” said Olson. “I realize it will be difficult after a fire, but they should bring any documentation they can to verify their losses. For LFP, ranchers must show they received notification that they are prohibited from grazing the normal permitted livestock on the federally managed rangeland because of the fire. Pictures are helpful and even third-party verifications. Local FSA staff can help with questions about documentation.”
Other programs which could become available, depending on national approval, are the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Emergency Haying and Grazing. CRP Emergency Haying and Grazing is already available to ranchers in Adams, Benton, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Lincoln, Walla Walla and Yakima counties.
“FSA county committees requested the program due to drought already,” explained Olson. “The program allows the use of CRP for haying and grazing in these urgent situations. As a result of the 2014 Farm Bill, we will not reduce annual CRP payments for emergency haying or grazing. Ranchers affected by fire in counties not approved yet, should contact their local FSA office or FSA county committee.”
The national FSA website maintains an online exchange for farmers and ranchers who have hay or grazing lands available or have need for hay or grazing lands.
FSA county committees also request FSA implementation of the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). It can provide a partial payment to repair fence or other conservation structures.
“I expect most of the losses the Farm Service Agency will help with will be livestock and forage related but we do have a Tree Assistance Program (TAP) if farmers suffer damage to orchards or vineyards. We can also make low-interest loans to replace essential farm property, or pay costs of production or family living expenses to help recover from natural disasters,” said Olson.
Farmers and ranchers who suffered crop losses on crops covered by FSA’s Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) should report their losses to their FSA office as soon as the loss becomes apparent.
Farmers and ranchers who have questions about FSA disaster assistance programs may contact their local Farm Service Agency office for information on eligibility requirements and application procedures.
Source:USDA