Possible drought assistance for livestock producers

Adrian J. Polansky, state executive director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Kansas, announced last week that drought assistance could become available for livestock producers affected by drought in all Kansas counties except Republic. Eligibility to request implementation of the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) for 2012 is based on the local County Committee providing evidence that the county is designated as level D3 (Drought Extreme) according to the U.S. Drought Monitor -- attained in Bourbon County by early August.

Producers may request assistance in approved counties by filing an application for cost-share assistance under the ECP from Oct. 15 through Nov. 15 at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

ECP is being implemented with the goal of providing access to water in pastures that normally contain adequate water supply, but because of the extended period of severe drought this year, water is now unavailable.

The damage must be of such magnitude that it would be too costly for the producer to rehabilitate without federal assistance, i.e. needed practice costs in excess of $1,000.

Participants can receive cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the cost for temporary measures and 50 percent of the cost for permanent measures for approved emergency conservation practices. Practices approved are EC6, Drought Measures (example: constructing and deepening wells, installing pipe to another source of water because primary source is inadequate) and EC7, Hauling Water for Livestock (example: hauling water, tanks and troughs).

ECP has been approved for implementation by the National office without an ECP fund allocation.

Therefore, FSA will be accepting applications for which funds are not currently available.

ECP funding is limited and should funds become available, the National office will give priority to permanent measures.

Contact the FSA office at your local USDA Service Center for ECP information beginning on Monday, Oct. 15, 2012.

Editor's Note: Doug Niemeir is the County Executive Director for the USDA/Farm Service Agency. Doug may be reached by emailing him at Douglas.Niemeir@ks.usda.gov.