Due to the continuing drought conditions, Chouteau County producers may be eligible for one or more of FSA's disaster aid programs. A brief explanation of each program is as follows:
Livestock Forage Program (LFP) – The Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or cash leased land, or fire on federally managed land. Livestock producers should contact the Chouteau County FSA office to schedule an appointment to begin the application process. Eligible livestock producers must complete a CCC-853 and provide FSA with the required supporting documentation no later than Jan. 30, 2018, for 2017 losses. Required supporting documents may include information related to grazing leases or federal grazing permits, contract grower agreements, documentation to support livestock inventory and more. Leases must be in the same name as that of the livestock producer. Note that 2017 acreage reports are required to be filed for all eligible grazing land (including state and federal leases) by no later than November 15, 2017. Acreage reports filed after that date will not be accepted, which will result in ineligibility for the 2017 LFP program.
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) – Chouteau County was authorized to implement the ECP on September 5th. The signup period for ECP on land physically located in Chouteau County will begin on September 7th and end on November 5th. Through the ECP, producers may be eligible for cost-share assistance on livestock water developments that have become necessary due to the drought conditions. An existing water source must have failed or production must have been significantly diminished due to the drought conditions. Eligible practices may include livestock water wells, pipelines, stock tanks, etc.. To be eligible for assistance, practices must not be started until all of the following are met:
• an application for cost-share assistance has been filed with FSA
• onsite inspection of the damaged area and an environmental assessment must be conducted by NRCS or FSA
• the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), has made a "needs" determination.
Emergency Loss Assistance Program for Livestock (ELAP) - Eligible livestock losses through the ELAP include grazing losses not covered under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP), loss of purchased feed and/or mechanically harvested feed due to an eligible adverse weather event,
of transporting water because of an eligible drought and additional cost associated with gathering livestock to treat for cattle tick fever. Producers who suffer eligible losses between October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017 must file:
• A notice of loss with FSA by the earlier of 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent or by November 1, 2017
• An application for payment by November 1, 2017
The Farm Bill caps ELAP disaster funding at $20 million per federal fiscal year. Therefore, it is likely that ELAP disbursements to eligible producers will be prorated based upon the total value of all eligible ELAP applications nationwide.
Non-insurable Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) – Producers with 2017 NAP policies in effect are reminded to file a notice of loss with FSA, on form CCC-576, within 15 calendar days after the disaster occurrence or date of loss or damage to the crop first becomes apparent. Producers are also reminded the October 2, 2017 is the sign-up deadline for 2018 NAP coverage on all annual fall-seeded crops, perennial forage and grazing, mixed forage crops (includes spring seeded annual types of mixed forage), rye, speltz, and triticale. NAP provides a catastrophic level (CAT) coverage based on the amount of loss that exceeds 50 percent of the expected production at 55 percent of the average market price for the crop. NAP offers buy-up coverage, in addition to the basic CAT-level coverage, on all crops except those intended for grazing. These additional coverage levels range from 50-65 percent of the expected production, in 5 percent increments, at 100 percent of the average market price. CAT coverage is available for $250 per eligible crop. Buy-up coverage requires the payment of a per acre premium, in addition to the $250/crop service fee.
CED Bill Evans asks that producers call the local FSA office to schedule an appointment to complete the application process for any of these disaster aid programs
