Applications taken for 2005, 2006 Livestock Compensation Program

USDA recently announced the commencement of the 2005-2007 Livestock Compensation Program and the Livestock Indemnity Program. These programs began Sept. 10th and currently have no ending date. The programs provide monetary assistance to eligible livestock owners for certain types of livestock and feed losses that occurred between Jan. 1, 2005 and Feb. 28, 2007, in eligible disaster counties as a result of an eligible disaster event, including losses because of blizzards that started in 2006 and continued into Jan. 2007.

‘Producers may elect to receive compensation in one of these years, but not both,’ said Darla Campbell, Warren County Program Technician. ‘Producers in some areas may also elect to receive compensation for losses in the calendar year 2007 grazing season that are attributable to wildfires that occurred during the applicable period as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Those type losses will not be applicable to Warren County producers.’

Under provisions of the LCP program, the funds received are not required to be used by the payee for any specific purpose.

‘Producers will need to review their records from previous years and determine if a loss occurred during either 2005 or 2006. Once the year of loss is determined, the disaster event and disaster period must be determined,’ said Campbell. ‘Warren County received disaster declarations on May 1, 2005 and on March 1 and May 1, 2006. Livestock producers will need to determine which disaster period they will apply for.’

When applying for benefits, it is important to note that adult beef and dairy cattle means adult beef and dairy cows that have delivered 1 or more offspring before the beginning date of the disaster. First time bred heifers may also be considered an adult cow if it was pregnant on the beginning date of the applicable disaster period. Adult beef and dairy bulls are male bovine animals that were at least 2 years old and used for breeding purposes on the beginning date of the applicable disaster period. Non-adult beef and dairy cattle will include any beef or dairy cattle that, on the beginning date of the disaster event, were at least 500 pounds or more in weight, but do not meet the definition of adult beef or dairy cows or bulls.

According to Campbell, eligible livestock will also include certain adult and non-adult buffalo, beefalo, equine, sheep, goats, deer, elk, swine, reindeer and poultry. Campbell says that although no ending signup date has been announced, there are no late-filed provisions for 2005-2007 Livestock Compensation Program. The Farm Service Agency will not refuse to accept a producer’s request to file, however, applications submitted by the producer after the end of signup shall be disapproved because they were not filed during the application period.

Campbell says that additional information will be forthcoming for the Livestock Compensation Program following program training meetings scheduled for October 16-18, 2007.

‘Producers may want to start assembling their livestock numbers based upon the date the disaster event occurred,’ she said. ‘The local offices will publicize additional information as it becomes available. Producers who have not applied for program benefits in past years, must complete Form CCC-502, Payment Eligibility, Form CCC-526, Certification of Adjusted Gross Income, and Form AD-1026, Certification of Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certifications for the year in which benefits will be requested.’

For additional information regarding the Livestock Compensation Program or Livestock Indemnity Program, contact the Warren County Farm Service Agency located at 811 Faulkner Springs Road, McMinnville.