Drought and livestock assistance
USDA’s Livestock Feed Program (LFP) is activated county by county based on ratings or zones provided by the National Drought Monitor. Tallahatchie County entered the winter grazing period for annual ryegrass and small grains (wheat, oats) at D4 level on the National Drought Monitor. The county stayed at the D4 level for drought until Feb. 15, 2024, at which time the county moved up to D3 level. The winter grazing season for these winter annuals started Dec. 1 and goes through May.
Last week, Tallahatchie County got official word that the National FSA office had added Tallahatchie to the list of counties eligible for winter grazing LFP based on the D4 drought level. 2024 LFP payments rates have not been received, but all producers with ryegrass and small grains, like wheat, planted for winter grazing need to report those acres to FSA, if not already reported.
D4 level on the drought monitor triggers four months of feed compensation per head based on the type and size of livestock that a producer may own. For beef cattle, the three categories are cows and bulls, livestock that are not cows or bulls and are over 500 pounds, and beef cattle calves that are weaned and are under 500 pounds. Each category has a different feed equivalent based on the consumption of corn necessary to sustain that category of beef cattle for one month. The carrying capacity for these crops is one cow per acre.
Most producer will not have enough winter grazing to feed the entire herd, so any payments will be limited to the carrying capacity acres of ryegrass planted.
Other eligibility factors apply like they do for all LFP programs.
Livestock owners in Tallahatchie County are now eligible to file applications for LFP for winter grazing losses for those who planted ryegrass and small grains for grazing.
To be eligible, livestock producers with winter grazing must report their 2024 grazing acres to FSA. Acres reported to FSA as cover crops are not eligible for LFP.
