FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Livestock Producers Affected by Disasters Urged to Keep Good Records
Potential Assistance Depending on Accurate, Timely
Data for Expedited Help
WASHINGTON, August 29, 2012 — USDA Farm Service
Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia today urged livestock producers
affected by natural disasters such as Hurricane Isaac to keep thorough records
of their livestock and feed losses, including additional expenses for such
things as feed purchases because of lost supplies.
"There are extraordinary circumstances caused by a
variety of disasters from fires in the west, floods in Florida, Hurricane Isaac
in the Gulf region, storms in the Mid-Atlantic and drought and heat affecting
the heartland," Garcia said. "Each of these events is causing economic
consequences for ranchers and producers including cattle, sheep and dairy
operations, bee keepers and farm-raised fish, and poultry producers."
FSA recommends that owners and producers record all
pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including:
Documentation of the number and kind of livestock
that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of
ownership and losses; Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase
receipts; Costs of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to
new pastures; and Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are
destroyed.
Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that the
department's authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs
authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011. This includes SURE;
the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock,
Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program
(LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters
occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program
coverage.
