Hello again,
Last week I took a little tour of the county to look over crop conditions. I’m surprised at how resilient corn and beans are.
We are suffering from a serious shortage of rainfall and when it does rain it’s so spotty that it rains on one side of the road and not the other. The crops are definitely stressed, but not as bad as I thought they should look, however if we don’t get rain soon crop yields will be headed for the crapper.
Relief programs
The Farm Bill of 2014, which wasn’t passed until 2015 (I know, go figure), changed a lot about our disaster programs. Forget thinking that there will be a disaster program for poor yields. The years prior to 2014 set the tone for the future.
Insure your crops for loss through Crop Insurance or FSA’s NAP program (covers all crops FCIC doesn’t). There were certain other disaster programs put in as permanent disaster programs.
The Livestock Forage Program (LFP) is designed to assist with grazing losses when a drought has been declared. Livestock feed and grazing losses and losses from transporting water all have to meet certain criteria.
The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm Raised Fish Program (ELAP) covers livestock death losses due to mother nature.
The Tree Assistance Program (TAP) was established to assist orchardist, vine growers and tree growers to replant or rehabilitate crops damaged by adverse weather.
The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) program also pays for livestock deaths, above normal mortality, attributed to an eligible weather event.
We have paid for animals killed by lightning, tornados, sheep killed by avian predators and bees lost due to colony collapse.
Document
There are numerous programs to assist crop and livestock losses, however, documentation is of the utmost importance to be eligible. If you suffer a loss contact your FSA office immediately. Take pictures and get third party documentation; The more the better.
Aug. 1 is the last day to turn in COC Nominating petitions for the LAA or LAA’s that are having elections for your local FSA elections. Consider running for your local committee. Step up and make a difference.
That’s all for now,
FSA Andy
