More assistance announced for local livestock producers

Cattle and sheep producers in Missouri counties that have received disaster designations due to drought in 2001 and 2002 will be able to sign up for assistance under the $752 million Livestock Compensation Program announced this week.

In addition, producers in counties that have disaster designation requests pending as of today and that are subsequently approved will also be eligible to participate in the program. Sign up will begin Oct. 1 with payments made soon thereafter.

The Missouri Farm Service Agency will administer the new program. It promises immediate assistance to producers who need it the most. The Livestock Compensation Program would be particularly helpful to livestock producers who do not have access to other risk management tools, such as crop insurance.

Payments will be based on standard feed consumption data for each eligible type of livestock. The payment rate is $18 per animal consuming unit, which is indexed against beef cattle. Types of livestock adjusted by these factors are:

Beef Cows $18/head; Dairy Cows $31.50/head; Stockers $13.50/head; Buffalo and Beefalo heifers $18/head; Sheep $4.50/head

Producers will certify the number of eligible animals owned as of June 1, 2002. The animals must have been owned for 90 days or more before and/or after June 1. Payment will be determined by multiplying the number of eligible animals by the respective payment rate. Payments should be available shortly after a producer signs up.

For more information about this program and other drought and weather-related information, visit Farm Service Agency’s Drought Information website at http://www.usda.gov