50+ Lifestyles

Weather-related Livestock Losses may Qualify for Indemnity Program

By Denise Schwab
Iowa State University Extension Scott County

Producers who have lost livestock from the recent wind storms or heat may be eligible for payment through the Livestock Indemnity Program. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension beef program specialist Denise Schwab said the “Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008” authorized the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to provide benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather.

Schwab said producers who think they have losses that might quality should remember that LIP has eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

“To be eligible for LIP, the livestock must be owned by the producer and raised for commercial use as part of a farming operation. Pets or recreational animals do not qualify,” Schwab said. “Contract swine or poultry growers also may qualify for lost livestock if they have a written agreement with the livestock owner setting the specific terms, conditions and obligations of the parties involved.”

Payment for losses is determined by USDA calculations but is approximately 75 percent of the average fair market value of the livestock, or 75 percent of the average income loss sustained by the contract grower with respect to the dead livestock, she said. Producers also are restricted by other USDA payment limitations.

Producers who suffer livestock death losses should submit a notice of loss and an application for payment to the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center that maintains the farm records for their business. This application needs to be made within 30 calendar days after the loss of livestock was apparent to the producer.

More information is available on the FSA website in this LIP fact sheet. People also can contact their local FSA office for details and to apply. The LIP sheet can be found at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/lip2011_158c020211.pdf

For information on heat and heat stress in beef cattle operations, check out this page on the Iowa Beef Center website, or contact your ISU Extension beef program specialist. IBC site can be found at: http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/heatresources.html

IBC was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state’s beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from ISU Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.