Brutal cold is behind us with rapidly warming conditions ahead, but the impact of the cold earlier this week is already being felt by livestock producers.
The Lyon-Chase County Farm Service Agency office began fielding livestock loss information shortly after the extreme cold covered the area late last week, so County Executive Director Julia Smith joined KVOE’s Morning Show to remind producers about the Livestock Indemnity Program. She says it’s vitally important to document losses, starting with a Notice of Loss.
The first step is to notify the FSA office where the livestock are located. Producers can file a Notice of Loss in person, by phone or by email, but they have 30 days from the loss to file the paperwork and that paperwork is good for one weather event. Smith says producers can file several Notices of Loss, and they will also have to prepare for filing supporting information like beginning inventory and proof of death.
Cattle, bison, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, swine and other animals are eligible for the program. Eligible conditions for repayments include adverse weather, disease and animal attacks. Payments are based on national rates at 75 percent of market value as determined by the US Secretary of Agriculture.
Producers can reach out to their FSA office or go online to www.farmers.gov for more information. Click here for a link to the FSA fact sheet.
