(USDA) Producers in 25 Missouri counties are now eligible to apply for benefits through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program and Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program, both administered through the Farm Service Agency. Counties now accepting applications include Adair, Andrew, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Clinton, Daviess, Dekalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Howard, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Randolph, Ray, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland and Sullivan.
LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately-owned or cash-leased land. County committees can only accept LFP applications after notification is received by the National Office of a qualifying drought. Eligible livestock producers must complete a CCC-853 and the required supporting documentation no later than Jan. 30, 2019, for 2018 losses.
Producers who have incurred additional operating costs for transporting water to livestock due to an eligible drought can also submit an application for ELAP. An eligible drought means that part or all of a county is designated D3 (extreme drought) or higher as indicated by the U.S. Drought Monitor (www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu).
Producers must file a notice of loss on form CCC-851 the earlier of 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent to the producer, or by Nov. 1, 2018. Additionally, the deadline to submit an application for payment for 2018 ELAP assistance is Nov. 1, 2018.
To qualify for ELAP, eligible livestock must be: adult or non-adult dairy cattle, beef cattle, buffalo and beefalo, as well as alpacas, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, reindeer, or sheep. Additionally, the livestock must have been owned 60 calendar days prior to the beginning of the drought and be physically located in the county designated as a disaster area due to drought. Adequate livestock watering systems or facilities must have existed before the drought occurred and producers are only eligible if they do not normally transport water to the livestock. Livestock producers should call their local FSA office to make an appointment to sign up for LFP, ELAP and to learn more about eligibility, application and documentation requirements.