Disaster assistance programs now available to area producers

Implementation of the disaster programs included in the 2008 Farm Bill continues to be rolled out making these programs now generally available. Two of those programs that might be of current interest to area producers are the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments program (SURE).

LIP offers to reimburse livestock producers for death losses due to weather-related disaster events. The extreme cold and blizzard-like condition of recent weeks is causing problems for cows that are calving at this time.

The Christmas blizzard was tough on baby calves. SO PRODUCERS TAKE NOTE. For calf losses during this time (December, 2009), loss reports and follow up applications must be filed before the end of January, 2010 in order to qualify. Documentation of losses must be provided as well as documentation of inventory numbers. Dated pictures of dead animals can be provided, or a request for a farm visit by FSA personnel could also be used. A dead wagon ticket, a vet's certification of the death, etc. could also be provided for documentation.

The initial report of loss can be provided over the phone (620-223-1880 for Bourbon County), but the follow up must then be timely provided and the payment request signed by the livestock owner. Reimbursement for a baby calf is based on an established average price of $319.44 per head. So, if LIP might apply to your situation, complete the needed activity before the end of January, 2010.

Losses after January 1 should be reported within 30 days after the loss event and the follow-up paperwork completed before the end of the year.

Sign up for the SURE program has also started. SURE provides crop disaster assistance payments to eligible producers on farms that have incurred crop production or crop quality losses. The program takes into consideration crop losses on all mechanically harvested crops grown by a producer on all farms in all counties in all states. As this is a revenue-based program which considers actual average prices and yields, THE CURRENT ENROLLMENT, then, WILL BE FOR THE 2008 YEAR.

SURE provides assistance in an amount equal to 60 percent of the difference between the SURE farm guarantee and total farm revenue. The farm guarantee is based on the amount of crop insurance and Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage on the farm. Total farm revenue takes into account the actual value of production on the farm as well as insurance indemnities and certain farm program payments.

To be eligible for SURE, producers must have suffered at least a 10 percent production loss on a crop of economic significance. In addition, producers must meet the risk management purchase requirement by having obtained a policy or plan of insurance, under the Federal Crop Insurance Act or NAP coverage, for all economically significant crops.

Producers must have a farming interest physically located in a county that was declared a primary disaster county or contiguous county under an USDA Secretarial Disaster Designation or suffer a 50 percent production loss on the farm due to a natural disaster. Bourbon County and surrounding counties as well meet the disaster declaration criteria for both 2008 and 2009 so the 50 percent loss condition is not applicable for 2008 or 2009 losses.

For more information on the new SURE program, please visit your local FSA county office or on the web at www.fsa.usda.gov then click on Disaster Assistance Programs.

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