The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), offers financial compensation to livestock owners and contract growers who suffer significant livestock losses beyond normal mortality levels due to eligible adverse events. These events include adverse weather conditions, diseases, and attacks by federally protected animals. LIP helps mitigate the financial impact of these losses, enabling producers to recover and continue their operations.
Eligible applicants include livestock owners and contract growers who have experienced livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, disease, or attacks by federally protected animals. Applicants must provide verifiable documentation of the losses and meet all program requirements.
Notice of Loss: Must be submitted within 30 calendar days of when the loss is apparent.
Application for Payment: Must be submitted no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the loss occurred.
To apply for the Livestock Indemnity Program, producers must complete and submit a notice of loss and an application for payment to their local FSA office. The process includes providing documentation of the livestock losses and the eligible adverse events that caused the losses. Detailed enrollment instructions and deadlines are available through the local FSA office.
Program Features:
- Compensation Rates: Payments are calculated based on 75% of the fair market value of the livestock on the day before the death occurred. Specific rates are set for different categories of livestock.
- Documentation Requirements: Applicants must provide verifiable documentation of livestock deaths and the circumstances causing the losses. This may include veterinary records, purchase records, and other supporting documents.
Additional LIP Benefits
- Financial Relief: LIP provides crucial financial assistance to livestock producers facing significant losses, helping them recover from unexpected adverse events.
- Economic Stability: By compensating for excessive livestock losses, LIP supports the economic stability of livestock operations and rural communities.
- Risk Management: LIP is part of a broader suite of USDA disaster assistance programs designed to help producers manage risk and ensure the continuity of agricultural production.