Cattle producers who have experienced death losses or disease due to adverse winter weather could be eligible for compensation through the USDA Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). An owner or contract grower must file a notice of loss with their local county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office within 30 calendar days of when the livestock loss was first apparent. A separate application for payment, along with supporting documentation, must be filed within 60 calendar days after the end of the year in which the eligible loss condition occurred.
Livestock owners must record all pertinent information, including number and kind of all livestock and those adversely impacted by an eligible loss condition resulting in either death losses or disease. Payments are based on losses in excess of normal mortality.
Eligible adverse weather events include blizzards, extreme cold and winter storms lasting three consecutive days and accompanied by high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall and extremely cold temperatures. Some weather events affecting Kansas in the last 30 days may meet these criteria.
Producers should expeditiously check their eligibility for LIP and file notice of losses by calling the local FSA office.