Deadline approaching for disaster programs

The deadline to sign up for disaster programs available through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency is quickly approaching.

State producers that suffered losses because of the 2005 hurricanes may be eligible, said Bob Odom, state Agriculture and Forestry commissioner.

The deadline is March 30.

“There is a little more time available now,” Odom said, “so please, take this opportunity to send in your applications.”

Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. Mary producers may be eligible.

Odom said each of the programs has certain other specific eligibility requirements and guidelines.

• The livestock compensation program provides payment to livestock owners for feed losses, and includes dairy and beef cattle, buffalo, beefalo, equine, poultry, elk, reindeer, sheep, goats, swine and deer.

• The livestock indemnity program II provides payment to livestock owners for death of animals including non-adult dairy and beef cattle, buffalo, beefalo, catfish, crawfish, equine, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and deer.

• The citrus program provides assistance to providers who suffered crop production losses and fruit-bearing tree damage, including related clean-up and rehabilitation costs.

• The tropical fruit program provides assistance to producers of carambola, longan, lychee and mangos that suffered tropical fruit production losses.

• The nursery program provides assistance to qualifying commercial ornamental nursery and fernery producers who suffered inventory losses and incurred cleanup costs. Eligible nursery stock includes deciduous shrubs, broadleaf evergreens, coniferous evergreens, shade and flowering trees, propagation stock and fruit and nut seed stock.

• The tree assistance program provides payments to eligible owners of commercially grown Christmas trees, ornamental trees, nursery trees, potted trees, bushes (including shrubs) and vines that were lost or damaged because of the 2005 storms.

“I urge producers to promptly submit their applications,” Odom said. “I don’t want anyone who is eligible to miss out on recouping his or her losses.”

Farmers and ranchers suffering losses because of the hurricanes can apply for the programs at local FSA officers or USDA Service Centers. Fact sheets and other information regarding disaster programs are available online at www.fsa.usda.gov under disaster assistance programs.

Hackberry, La., October 3, 2005 – Cattle, rescued from the flooded marshed of Cameron Parish, are brought to the local high school’s rodeo pens to await sorting and return to their owners. Several thousand cattle, belonging to an estimated 15 ranchers, are still lost in the marshes nd are being rescued by cowboys on horseback. Win Henderson / FEMA