USDA ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR CROP, FEED AND LIVESTOCK LOSSES

News Date February 04, 2008

       USDA announced late January that eligible farmers and ranchers who suffered losses of livestock, livestock feed, and crops before Dec. 31, 2007, can apply to receive disaster payments. Agricultural producers who suffered losses for crops planted before Feb. 28, 2007, or eligible livestock or livestock feed losses between Jan. 1, 2005, and Feb. 28, 2007, may apply for disaster payments under the Crop Disaster Program (CDP), Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) based on a disaster assistance law approved earlier in 2007. The latest disaster assistance law, signed by President Bush on Dec. 26, 2007, extends CDP, LCP, and LIP payments to eligible farmers and ranchers who suffered 2007 crop, livestock and livestock feed losses throughout the 2007 crop year before Dec. 31, 2007.

       The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is now accepting applications and making payments for quantity losses before Dec. 31, 2007, under CDP. FSA is currently issuing LCP and LIP payments for losses up to Feb. 28, 2007, and will soon issue payments for losses incurred during the remainder of 2007. FSA will conduct sign-ups and begin making payments for quality losses under CDP this spring. More information is available online at: http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov .
 

       USDA announced last week that it is postponing sign-up for the Dairy Disaster Assistance Program (DDAP-III) until the agency publishes final regulations in the Federal Register. Sign-up for DDAP-III was scheduled to resume this week. Unlike other disaster programs, FSA was forced to delay DDAP-III sign-up because of Paperwork Reduction Act and other regulatory requirements mandating that there had to be the issuance of a proposed rule for public comments on the program. FSA is currently finalizing its review of the numerous comments received from the proposed rule and expects to publish final regulations for DDAP-III within the next few weeks.

       Furthermore, FSA's authority is extended to administer the Conservation Reserve Program and marketing loan benefits for wool and mohair through March 15, 2008. Also, the Milk Price Support Program continues operating at current price support levels through March 15, 2008. Under the 2002 farm bill, USDA's authority to administer these three programs expired on Dec. 31, 2007. Additionally, Congress provided $3.3 billion in direct and guaranteed loan funds for FSA's Farm Loan Programs. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)