FSA continues signup for livestock assistance

The Limestone/Freestone County Farm Service Agency continues to accept applications for the Livestock Forage Program or LFP. The purpose of the LFP is to provide monetary assistance to eligible livestock producers for feed losses resulting from disaster conditions in 2008 and/or 2009. Sign up will end Dec. 10, for 2008 applications and Jan. 30, for 2009 applications.

Eligible livestock include beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, equine, deer, and swine. Any livestock produced or maintained for reasons other than commercial use, such as recreation, are ineligible. Ineligible livestock would include livestock used for roping, hunting, show, pleasure, pets, or consumption by the owner.

An eligible livestock producer is one who had legal ownership or cash leased eligible livestock at least 60 days prior to the beginning date of an applicable disaster period, suffered a feed loss as a result of the disaster condition, and is a citizen of or legal resident alien of the United States.

Eligible producers will need to furnish FSA with their livestock numbers and acreage of native, improved, and forage sorghum for 2008 and/or 2009. Ineligible grazing land includes irrigated land, seeded small grain crops, land leased on a basis of weight gain or on a cost per head, per day or month.

Eligibility is dependent on one of the following conditions:

1 - participated in the 2008 and/or 2009 NAP program for grazing crops

2 - paid the 2008 “buy-in” fee

3 - limited resource producer

4 - beginning farmer/rancher

5 - member of a socially disadvantaged group

6 - request and be granted equitable relief

Eligible livestock producers are encouraged to contact the local FSA office in Groesbeck to make an appointment for completion of their application. FSA can be reached at 254-729-2310 in Groesbeck.