USDA has various programs available to provide assistance for livestock losses suffered by producers due to recent tornadoes and severe storms.

Dan Steinkruger, Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, said, "Livestock producers that suffered death losses or feed losses, should contact their local FSA Office for eligibility and documentation details before disposing of carcasses or spoiled feed stocks."

FSA's Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to eligible producers for death losses caused by the adverse weather events. FSA's Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) provides assistance for temporary emergency feed and destroyed feed stocks. Assistance is also available for debris removal and replacement of damaged or destroyed fences on pasture acres for grazing through FSA's Emergency Conservation Program (ECP).

Disposal of carcasses must be completed in accordance with the Department of Environmental Quality guidelines. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) is in the process of implementing the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) to assist with costs associated with carcass disposal for livestock producers.

"Due to the magnitude and severity of agricultural losses, these programs are available to provide a measure of recovery for eligible producers. Although these programs will not replace the losses, they will assist in the ongoing recovery of these operations," stated Steinkruger.

While this release pertains to the availability of USDA programs, other federal agencies such as FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and SBA (Small Business Administration) may also have assistance to the public. Information is available from these two agencies at the following websites: www.fema.gov and www.sba.gov.

USDA FSA News Release