PURCELL — Mike Leverett, executive director for the Farm Service Agency in McClain/Cleveland counties (FSA), encourages producers who have lost livestock in the recent tornadoes to sign up for assistance through the FSA Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP).
“Losses because of adverse weather occurring since Jan. 1 and before Oct. 1, such as tornadoes and lightning, may be eligible,” said Leverett. “I encourage producers to contact the McClain/Cleveland county FSA office quickly as the program assistance will require documentation of loss.”
Livestock losses had to occur no later than 60 days after the adverse weather event, but prior to Oct. 1.
For livestock losses that occur in calendar year 2011, producers will have 30 days after the death to file a notice of loss to FSA, but not later than Oct. 31. In addition, producers will have until Jan. 30, 2012, to apply for payment.
Adequate documentation must prove the death of eligible livestock occurred as a direct result of an eligible adverse weather event in the calendar year for which benefits are being requested. If adequate verifiable proof of death records documentation is not available, a livestock producer may provide reliable records, along with verifiable beginning and ending inventory, as proof of death.
Certifications of livestock deaths by third parties, who are not affiliated with the farming operation, may be accepted only if verifiable proof of death records or reliable proof of death records along with verifiable beginning and ending inventory records are not available.
LIP indemnity payments will be based on 75 percent of the fair market value of the livestock as determined by FSA.
For more information producers need to contact the McClain/Cleveland county FSA office at 527-3160, ext. 2 or visit us online at www.fsa.usda.gov/ok.
