For the 2011 year, there are 3 programs available to assist livestock producers when a disaster affects their livestock. These programs are:

• Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) – Provides benefits for grazing land affected by drought; public grazing land affected by wildfire or drought. Grazing land must be insured by either RMA or NAP coverage to be eligible.
• Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) – Provides benefits for livestock death losses due to adverse weather events.
• Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm Raised Fish (ELAP) – Provides emergency relief to producers of livestock, honey bees and farm raised fish. Producer must have RMA or NAP coverage to be eligible.

A notice of loss must be filed within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent for LIP and ELAP losses.  To be eligible for LIP and ELAP, livestock losses must be the result of an eligible adverse weather event occurring prior to October 1, 2011. Livestock losses must occur no later than 60 days from the ending date of the adverse weather event, but before November 30, 2011. A complete application must be submitted no later than 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the losses occurred.  For 2011 losses, the deadline to submit the application for payment is January 30, 2012. Contact your local FSA office for further details.