NAP March 15 was the last day to buy coverage for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). NAP provides risk protection against multiperil losses for crops that insurance is not available. This is a reminder that we are still waiting on production from a few producers who carried the coverage in 2020. Just like crop insurance, you need to provide your production to keep your proven yields up. Please contact the office if you have any questions.
QLA April 9 is the extended deadline for the Quality Loss Assistance (QLA) Program. QLA provides assistance for losses due to quality for 2019 crops affected by excessive moisture.
CRP Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - Continuous Sign Up continues at this time. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - General Sign Up has been extended, with no deadline given. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) – Grassland Sign has been delayed. Offices will not take any CRP Grassland offers until the new signup date is announced. Although we are not taking Grassland applications at this time, we will take your name and legal description. A lot of the background work can be done now, and hopefully this will speed up the process to sign up once it opens up again.Please continue to contact the office if you are interested in CRP, as we continue to take Continuous and General CRP applications.
CCC-902-Farm Operating Plan FSA and NRCS program participants are required to have an accurate Farm Operation Plan (CCC-902) on file. Participants need to promptly report changes in their farming operation and update their CCC-902. If your farm operation has not changed, a new CCC-902 is not required to be filed annually. If you are unsure that your current CCC-902 is accurate, please contact the office to verify that your Capital, Land, Equipment, Active personal labor, and Active personal management information is based on how your operation is currently conducting business.
The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather, disease and attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law.
For disease losses, FSA county committees can accept veterinarian certifications that livestock deaths were directly related to adverse weather and unpreventable through good animal husbandry and management.
For 2021 livestock losses, you must file a notice of loss within 30 calendar days of when the loss is first apparent. You then must provide the following supporting documentation to your local FSA office no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred.
• Proof of death documentation
• Copy of grower’s contracts
• Proof of normal mortality documentation
USDA has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock. Adult Beef Cows have a normal mortality rate of 1.5% and Non-Adult Beef Cattle (less than 250 pounds) is set at 3%. These established percentages reflect losses that are considered expected or typical under “normal” conditions.
In addition to filing a notice of loss, you must also submit an application for payment by March 1, 2022.
Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybee, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides emergency assistance to eligible livestock, honeybee, and farm-raised fish producers who have losses due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions, such as blizzards and wildfires, not covered by other agricultural disaster assistance programs.
Eligible losses include:
• Livestock - grazing losses not covered under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), loss of purchased feed and/or mechanically harvested feed due to an eligible adverse weather event, additional cost of transporting water because of an eligible drought and additional cost associated with gathering livestock to treat for cattle tick fever.
• Honeybee - loss of purchased feed due to an eligible adverse weather event, cost of additional feed purchased above normal quantities due to an eligible adverse weather condition, colony losses in excess of normal mortality due to an eligible weather event or loss condition, including CCD, and hive losses due to eligible adverse weather.
• Farm-Raised Fish - death losses in excess of normal mortality and/or loss of purchased feed due to an eligible adverse weather event.
If you’ve suffered eligible livestock, honeybee, or farm-raised fish losses during calendar year 2021, you must file:
• A notice of loss within 30 calendar days after the loss is apparent (15 days for honeybee losses)
• An application for payment by Jan. 30, 2022.
The following ELAP Fact Sheets (by topic) are available online:
• ELAP for Farm-Raised Fish Fact Sheet
• ELAP for Livestock Fact Sheet
• ELAP for Honeybees Fact Sheet
Keeping Livestock
Inventory Records
Livestock inventory records are necessary in the event of a natural disaster, so remember to keep them updated.
When disasters strike, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help you if you’ve suffered excessive livestock death losses and grazing or feed losses due to eligible natural disasters.
To participate in livestock disaster assistance programs, you’ll be required to provide verifiable documentation of death losses resulting from an eligible adverse weather event and must submit a notice of loss to your local FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss of livestock is apparent. For grazing or feed losses, you must submit a notice of loss to your local FSA office within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent and should maintain documentation and receipts.
You should record all pertinent information regarding livestock inventory records including:
• Documentation of the number, kind, type, and weight range of livestock
• Beginning inventory supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts.
For more information on documentation requirements, contact your Lcoal County USDA Service Center or visit fsa.usda.gov.
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