Farm Service Agency Adds New Option to Become Eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program
Starting April 24, 2018, the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) has added a new eligibility option for farmers and ranchers who have lost livestock to disease resulting from a weather disaster.
This change allows local FSA county committees to accept certifications from veterinarians that livestock deaths were directly related to weather events like hurricanes, storms, hail and tornadoes. The certifications would also state that these livestock deaths were could not be prevented through good animal care and management. With the certifications, local FSA committees can provide farmers and ranchers with eligibility for the Livestock Indemnity Program on a case by case basis.
The LIP provides benefits to agricultural producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather, disease or by attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government. Eligible weather events include earthquakes, hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, blizzard, and flooding.
For more information, you should contact your local USDA service center.
The Law Firm of Wadler, Perches, Hundl & Kerlick can help you with a variety of legal issues associated with farming and ranching. For an appointment, please call us at 800-929-1725. We have offices in Fulshear and Richmond in Fort Bend County and in Wharton and El Campo in Wharton County.
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