Local News

September 6, 2007
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced sign-up dates for the Livestock Compensation Program, Livestock Indemnity Program and Crop Disaster Program.
The three ad hoc disaster programs provide financial relief to farmers and ranchers who suffered losses caused by natural disasters in recent years. The programs will be implemented in all Washington counties according to the USDA Farm Service Agency, which administers the programs.
Program signup for the livestock programs begins September 10. The Crop Disaster Program signup begins October 15 for agricultural producers who suffered yield losses. A later signup will be announced for crop losses related to crop quality. End dates for the program signups have yet to be announced.
The Livestock Compensation Program compensates livestock producers for feed losses occurring between January 1, 2005 and February 28, 2007 due to a natural disaster. Drought caused much of the feed loss in Washington state during that time but loss from other disasters may also be eligible.
The Livestock Indemnity Program pays producers for the physical loss of livestock due to natural disasters that occurred during the same timeframe. Producers who suffered losses multiple years must choose one year for which to receive payments for both livestock programs
Counties had to receive a Secretarial or Presidential Disaster Declaration, or be in contiguous county, before producers could be eligible for the livestock programs. All counties in Washington either received such a designation or were in a contiguous county.
The Crop Disaster provide payments to producers who suffered damage to their crops. Damage includes decreased yields or prevented plantings. It also includes lower prices received due to impaired crop quality. The program covers losses that occurred in 2005, 2006, or 2007 if the crop was planted or prevented from being planted before February 28, 2007. Producers may claim losses for multiple crops but must choose one crop year if losses occurred in multiple years. Producers must also have obtained crop insurance or coverage under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for the year for which the claim benefits. Yield loss must exceed 35 percent to be eligible for the Crop Disaster Program. Producers suffering losses in any county may apply for the Crop Disaster Program.
For additional information about the Livestock Compensation Program, the Livestock Indemnity Program or the Crop Disaster Program, check the Farm Service Agency website at www.fsa.gov or call the Farm Service Agency office in Brush Prairie at 360-883-1987, ext. 2. The Brush Prairie USDA Service Center covers Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties.