For Immediate Release

January 25, 2012

Contact:

Ethel Truly 601-965-4300, ext.102

JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 25, 2012 — "Ranchers must be alert to upcoming deadlines for livestock disaster assistance," said Michael R. Sullivan, Mississippi Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). "January 30, 2012, is the final date to apply."

"This year brought a host of extreme weather challenges for Mississippi’s ranchers and farmers, including drought, flooding along the Mississippi River, and tornadoes," stated Sullivan.

The 2008 Farm Bill authorized coverage of livestock disaster losses through the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).

"To apply under LIP and ELAP, the rancher must have filed a notice of loss with FSA within 30 calendar days of the date the loss became apparent, but no later than December 29, 2011," said Sullivan. "But if a rancher timely filed a notice of loss for LIP or ELAP, he or she must file an application for payment by January30, 2012, if one had not already been filed."

Sullivan emphasized that losses must be the result of a weather event occurring on or before September30, 2011. The 2008 Farm Bill did not authorize the programs beyond that date.

For LFP, an application for payment must be filed by January30, 2012. The program does not provide for late-filed applications. Only ranchers in qualifying counties may apply.

The Farm Service Agency encourages all ranchers to visit their local FSA County Office if they feel that they have qualifying losses.

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