The 2018 Farm Bill authorized the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) to provide payments to eligible livestock owners who have covered livestock and grazed forage acreage (native or improved pastureland in permanent grass) that has suffered a grazing loses due to a qualifying drought during the normal grazing period.
The qualifying drought levels are determined by the U.S. Drought Monitor, which classifies drought in levels D0-D5, based on the amount of rainfall received compared to normal average rainfall. To be eligible for LFP activation, a county must have level D2 (Severe Drought) or higher for at least eight consecutive weeks during the normal grazing period (April 1-Nov. 15). However, D3 (Extreme Drought) intensity in any area in the county at any time during the normal grazing period will activate LFP. The National Drought Monitor updates weekly on Thursdays.
On Oct. 12, portions of Tallahatchie County reached D3 level on the drought monitor, activating LFP and allowing eligible livestock producers with pastures in Tallahatchie County to received assistance in an amount equal to three months’ payments. FSA will calculate LFP payments at a rate equal to 60% of the monthly feed cost determined by the size and type of livestock that a producer owns and maintains on pasture located in Tallahatchie County.
Eligible livestock must have been owned during the 60 days prior to the beginning date of the qualify drought. The livestock must have been maintained for commercial use as part of a farming operation on the beginning date of the drought (Oct. 12, 2023) or have been sold or otherwise disposed of due to the qualifying condition during the 60-day period. Livestock that are maintained for reasons other than commercial use as part of a farming operation are not eligible for LFP. This excludes animals used for recreational purposes such as pleasure, hunting or pets. LFP also excludes livestock that were or would have been in a feed lot on the beginning date of the drought as part of the normal business operation of the grower.
To enroll in LFP, a livestock owner must have reported their 2023 grazing acres to FSA. If the grazing acres were not reported by the July 15, 2023, deadline, a late filed acreage report may be submitted with a fee. To receive benefits for each head of livestock owned by a producer, there must be enough grazing acres reported to FSA to maintain the number and type of livestock that are submitted to FSA on the LFP application. If the grazing acres available to a producer are not sufficient to support the herd size claimed, then payments will be reduced proportionate to the normal carrying capacity of the acres and type of grazing available during the drought period.
Applications can be filed at the Tallahatchie County FSA office located in the USDA Service Center located at 360 West Cypress St., Charleston. The office phone number is 662-647-8857, then select extension 2 for FSA.
