04.10.14

Hoeven Announces Farmers and Ranchers Can Sign-Up for Livestock Indemnity Program Beginning April 15

New, Long-Term Farm Bill Provides Livestock Disaster Assistance Programs

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced North Dakota farmers and ranchers who suffered livestock losses can contact their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office beginning April 15 to sign up for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). The 2014 Farm Bill provides LIP for the life of the farm bill, including coverage for the current fiscal year, since the program expired in 2011. It covers 75 percent of the value of the animals lost with an aggregate limit of $125,000.

To expedite applications, cattleman should:

  • Contact their local FSA county office prior to April 15 to schedule an appointment
  • Bring records and documentation of their losses
  • Sign up beginning April 15

“Our farmers and ranchers do a tremendous job providing food, fuel and fiber for our nation, often in very difficult circumstances. We saw this firsthand in the Dakotas last October when an early blizzard hit our livestock producers,” said Hoeven. “We worked hard to ensure that the new Farm Bill provides the livestock indemnity program and other livestock disaster assistance to help our producers recover losses when disasters strike. We appreciate the USDA implementing these programs expeditiously and encourage our producers to sign-up beginning April 15.”

On April 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will also begin sign up for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP), disaster assistance programs renewed under the new, long-term Farm Bill.