Scott Reed, Chief Program Specialist for the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Office in Texas, explains drought assistance for livestock producers. Part of his job responsibilities includes overseeing the implementation of disaster assistance programs for Texas farmers and ranchers.
Assistance for Livestock Producers Affected by Drought
If your livestock operation is impacted by severe or exceptional drought, you can apply for assistance through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). LFP is one of several disaster assistance programs available through FSA. These payments help producers who suffer grazing losses due to a qualifying drought. Your program payment will be based on the number of weaned cattle you own and the number of acres. I know that keeping cattle through a drought means additional feed expenses, and these payments are intended to help offset that cost.
Eligibility for Livestock and Grazing Crops
Livestock Eligibility
Weaned livestock for commercial use are eligible for LFP, including adult and nonadult beef cattle, beefalo, buffalo/bison, dairy cattle, alpacas, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, reindeer, and sheep. Your livestock must have been grazing the eligible land through the normal grazing period during the drought.
Another key eligibility factor is that your livestock must have been owned, leased, purchased, or under contract, or you must be a contract grower for at least 60 days before the beginning date of the qualifying drought.
Grazing Crop Eligibility
You can apply for LFP on native or improved pastureland with permanent vegetative cover as well as with crops planted specifically for grazing livestock, including forage sorghum, barley, oats, rye, triticale, wheat, annual planted ryegrass, or annual planted crabgrass.
Eligible Grazing Loss
LFP program eligibility triggers based on your county’s drought status on the U.S. Drought Monitor. On the website, you have the option to select your region, state, and county. From there you will see the current drought intensity in your respective area. There are six intensity statuses that can occur. Of the six, only the following three will trigger LFP payments.
Intensity Statuses That Trigger LFP Payments
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Severe Drought (D2)
D2 intensity in any area of the county for at least eight consecutive weeks.
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Extreme Drought (D3)
D3 intensity in any area of the county at any time.
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Exceptional Drought (D4)
D4 intensity in any area of the county for four weeks (not necessarily consecutive).
What records do I need to apply for LFP?
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You’ll have to submit a completed application for payment and any required supporting documentation to your FSA county office within 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the grazing loss occurred.
Contract growers will need a copy of the grower contract and any other supporting documents required for determining eligibility. Make sure these documents show evidence of loss and that your grazing land is owned or leased.
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You’ll have to submit a completed application for payment and any required supporting documentation to your FSA county office within 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the grazing loss occurred.
Contract growers will need a copy of the grower contract and any other supporting documents required for determining eligibility. Make sure these documents show evidence of loss and that your grazing land is owned or leased.
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