A lot of people are thankful winter is apparently melting into spring. Area cattle producers may well be at the top of that list.
Ranchers have had a hard go of things recently as a combination of calving and several bouts of subfreezing or subzero temperatures have led to losses the past two weeks. Brian Keith of Allen has had 300 cows calving recently, and calves started showing physical strain two weeks ago.
Ranchers have spent a lot of extra time drying off calves, especially since the first of the year. They have also spent more money on hay, whether for bedding or food, although last fall’s hay crop was well below normal output because of the drought of 2017 and much of 2018.
Scott Briggs of Reading has also seen a lot of stress and some losses the past two weeks. He countered an assertion ranchers don’t care much for their livestock.
Concerns now deal with mud, especially the tougher time for ranchers in getting to cattle and the health issues for the cattle themselves, ranging from sore hooves to cattle scours, which is associated with diarrhea and can be fatal.
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency is alerting ranchers to its Livestock Indemnity Program, which is designed to help producers suffering from losses “in excess of normal mortality” due to natural disasters, including blizzards, winter storms and extreme cold. Producers need several pieces of information to utilize this service:
*Official notice of loss, which must be filed within 30 days “of when the loss of livestock is apparent” and not to exceed 60 days from the actual weather event
*Proof of death documentation, typically a veterinarian statement, for both normal and weather-related losses
*Beginning inventory records, including balance sheets, pregnancy checks or ultrasound receipts
The current loss year started New Year’s Day and continues to New Year’s Eve. Ranchers must file a complete application for payment and supporting documentation no later than March 2020.
For more information, call the Lyon/Chase County FSA office at 343-2813 or go to the office at 3020 West 18th Suite A in Emporia.
