Johnson Reminds Producers of Sign-Up Date for Livestock Disaster Programs

Press Release

U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has scheduled the sign-up for livestock disaster programs to begin on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.

"I'm pleased that USDA is quickly implementing the livestock disaster programs in the farm bill to give producers much needed relief," Johnson said. "Come April 15, producers affected by the Atlas blizzard will be able to apply for disaster assistance and continue their recovery from this terrible storm. Producers hit by the 2012 drought and other natural disasters over the past couple of years will also finally have an opportunity for assistance through these programs."

Senator Johnson has sought a speedy implementation of the livestock disaster programs following passage of the 2014 Farm Bill. On February 5, 2014, Senator Johnson joined a bipartisan group of 24 senators in sending a letter to USDA to urge expeditious implementation of the livestock disaster programs reauthorized in the 2014 Farm Bill. Senator Johnson also questioned Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding implementation of the livestock disaster programs during a Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on March 26, 2014.

Producers will be able to sign up for livestock disaster programs, including the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), for losses experienced dating back to October 1, 2011. All producers who experienced losses are encouraged to collect records documenting these losses in preparation for the enrollment in these disaster assistance programs. Information on the types of records necessary can be provided by local FSA county offices. Producers also are encouraged to contact their county office ahead of time to schedule an appointment.

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