Dairy producers in Minnesota impacted by the winter storm and blizzard conditions beginning March 14 are strongly encouraged to report crop, livestock and infrastructure related losses to the local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and inquire about available disaster recovery assistance. Winter storms and blizzard conditions create serious challenges for dairy producers, affecting livestock health, feed supplies, transportation and daily milk production.
“Milk can’t wait. When trucks can’t reach farms or processors on time, producers face costly delays and, in some cases, must dispose of milk that can’t be stored. Those disruptions coupled with livestock losses create real economic consequences for Minnesota dairy operations,” said Kurt Blomgren, FSA State Executive Director in Minnesota. “We recognize the significant economic strain these adverse weather events place on a producer’s bottom line. As part of the commitment by the Trump Administration and Secretary Brooke Rollins to put Farmers First, FSA is focused on ensuring producers receive timely disaster assistance when extreme weather impacts their operations. Reporting storm-related losses helps us quickly initiate a disaster designation and move forward with recovery support for Minnesota dairy producers.”
Producers who experience livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or sell injured livestock at a reduced price may be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). To participate in LIP, producers will have to provide acceptable documentation of death losses or evidence of reduced sales resulting from an eligible adverse event, including an adverse weather event, and must submit a notice of loss to FSA no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses.
For LIP eligibility, producers should keep good records of livestock losses or animals sold at a reduced price. Documentation must include sufficient data that identifies the quantity and the livestock kind, type, and weight range. For loss documentation details, review the LIP Verifiable and Reliable Documentation fact sheet.
Meanwhile, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides eligible producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses. ELAP also includes costs associated with equipment rental fees for hay lifts and snow removal. For ELAP, producers are required to complete a notice of loss and application for payment to their local FSA office no later than March 1, 2027, for 2026 calendar year losses.
Producers with NAP coverage should report crop damage to their local FSA office and must file a Notice of Loss (CCC-576) within 15 days of the loss becoming apparent.
Source : usda.gov