Printable Version
For Immediate Release DATE: 11/5/09
Contact: 614-255-2527
COLUMBUS, November 5, 2009 -- Eligible commercial producers of livestock, honey bees and farm-raised fish that suffered death losses due to adverse weather on or after January 1, 2008 and before October 1, 2011, can now sign-up at the USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) for the Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
Eligible losses include feed losses, physical losses and additional costs incurred in providing feed to eligible livestock. "Producers who suffered losses due to weather will be required to provide documentation of the losses," said Steve Maurer, State Executive Director. "Losses because of adverse weather occurring since January 1, 2008, such as flooding, high winds, blizzards, diseases, colony collapse, high winds, freeze, and lightning may be eligible for ELAP benefits."
For feed losses, documentation includes the types of feed purchased, cost of feed, date purchased and signatures of the vendors. Documentation for harvested feed would include evidence that supports the amount of feed claimed as harvested and lost. "Our local FSA staff can provide producers with a list of acceptable loss documentation that includes proof of loss, producer records and verifiable inventory documentation," said Maurer.
To qualify for ELAP, producers need to be aware of the following dates: - Producers that suffered farm-raised fish losses in the 2008 calendar year have until December 10, 2009 to file notice of loss and application for payment for ELAP at their local FSA Office.
- Producers suffering losses from January 1, 2009 to September 13, 2009, must file a notice of loss application by December 10, 2009. The final date to submit an application for payment for 2009 losses is January 30, 2010.
- For farm-raised fish losses that occur from September 14, 2009 to December 31, 2009, producers will have 30 days after the loss to file a notice of loss at FSA and will have until January 30, 2010, to apply for payment.
- For losses after January 1, 2010, producers will have 30 days after the loss occurred to file a notice of loss. Application for payment must be filed within 30 days of the end of the calendar year.
Adequate documentation must prove the loss occurred as a direct result of an eligible adverse weather event in the calendar year for which benefits are being requested. Producers must timely file an acreage report on grazing land acres, honey bee colonies and farm-raised fish pond acres and timely file applicable notices of loss. As a reminder, there are no late file provisions.
Producer eligibility for ELAP also requires that all crops in all counties have crop insurance coverage or Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage for the crop year in which benefits are requested. USDA's payment limitations provisions apply to producers enrolling in the disaster programs along with adjusted gross income limitations and conservation compliance.
Producers need to contact their local FSA county office for ELAP sign-up.
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