Livestock Producers Reminded to Report Forage Losses by Feb. 1

TYLER – Some area livestock producers who suffered grazing losses throughout 2015 due to drought or wildfire have until Feb. 1 to report their losses and to enroll in the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). The reminder comes from Smith, Upshur, & Gregg County USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Chris Lynn.

LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately-owned or cash-leased land or fire on federally-managed land. Producers in Smith, Upshur, or Gregg County are eligible to apply for 2015 LFP benefits on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass or forage sorghum. Livestock producers are encouraged to contact the Smith-Upshur-Gregg County FSA Office with any questions regarding specific forage crops that are eligible.

Lynn says prolonged drought or wildfire conditions have created a need for livestock disaster assistance programs in the three counties. He encourages all affected livestock producers to contact his office to schedule an appointment to enroll in the program before the deadline. Livestock producers must complete the LFP application and required supporting documentation no later than Feb. 1 for losses that occurred throughout 2015. Producers who already have appointments scheduled require no additional action to meet the deadline.

Eligible livestock includes 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. For more information about LFP, contact the Smith-Upshur-Gregg County FSA Office at 903 561-2050 X2. Visit http://offices.usda.gov to find a local FSA office. Visit http://www.usda.gov/disaster to learn more about FSA disaster assistance programs.