Farmers have hope for crop, livestock losses

The eligibility date for 2007 livestock and crop year losses has been extended for farmers who suffered recent livestock and/or crop losses caused by natural disasters, announced Barbara B. Mobley, Jenkins County, executive director for the Farm Service Agency (FSA.)

On Dec. 26, 2007, President George W. Bush signed the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008 (2008 Act.) The 2008 Act amended the previous Feb. 28, 2007 date and now allows for crops planted prior to Dec. 31, 2007, for the 2007 crop year, to be included for loss purposes under CDP. Similarly, under LIP and LCP, the 2008 Act extends the date livestock and livestock feed losses could have occurred in a primary or contiguous counted named in a secretarial or presidential disaster declaration to Dec. 31, 2007.

"This date change does not make 2008 crops planted in 2007 eligible for CDP; however, it does benefit farmers in that it extends the eligibility date for crops planted in 2007 that were meant for the same crop year, and it adds 10 months to the amount of eligible time livestock losses can be considered for the new programs," said Mobley.

Producers should visit their local USDA Farm Service Agency office to apply for benefits under these new disaster assistance programs.

Sign-up for the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) began Sept. 10, 2007. Sign-up for the Crop Disaster Program (CDP) began Oct. 15, 2007, and applies to farmers who suffered quantity losses to their crops. Ending dates for the sign-up period will be announced at a future date.

LCP now compensates livestock producers for feed losses occurring between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2007, due to a natural disaster. Livestock producers may elect to receive compensation for calendar year 2007 grazing season losses caused by a wildfire natural disaster occurring during the applicable period as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Producers in primary counties declared secretarial disaster areas or certain counties declared presidential disaster areas between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2007, are eligible, as are producers located in counties contiguous to those counties.