(Taunton, Massachusetts) – September 19, 2016 – The County Executive Director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Bristol/Norfolk/Suffolk County, CED Julie Viveiros, announced today that livestock producers may be eligible for assistance from the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) for grazing losses incurred in 2016.
According to SED Niedzielski, Barnstable, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester Counties recently met qualifying drought ratings that ‘trigger’ eligibility for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program on improved pasture and native pasture.
The Livestock Forage Disaster Program provides compensation to livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire. For losses due to drought, qualifying drought ratings are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor located at http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html.
Eligible livestock include alpacas, beef cattle, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep or swine that have been or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland during the normal grazing period.
Applications are required for 2016 losses. To expedite applications, producers who experienced losses in 2016 are encouraged to collect records documenting their losses. Supporting documents may include information related to grazing leases or federal grazing permits, contract grower agreements, and more.
“We encourage producers to contact our office for an appointment, and to learn what records are required to apply for assistance,” said CED Viveiros.
For more information, contact the Bristol/Norfolk/Suffolk County FSA office at 508-880-0185. Information can also be obtained online at: disaster.fsa.usda.gov.