The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provided by the USDA Farm Service Agency provides assistance to you for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather, disease, and attacks by animals reintroduces in to the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law.

For disease losses, FSA county committees can accept veterinarian certifications that livestock deaths were directly related to adverse weather and unpreventable through good animal husbandry and management.

For 2021 livestock losses, you must file a notice within 30 calendar days of when the loss is first apparent. You must then provide the following supporting documentation to your local FSA office no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar year in which the eligible loss condition occurred.

• Proof of death documentation, ie. Pictures with dates

• Proof of beginning inventory (purchase records, production records, bank and loan documents, written contracts, tax records, private insurance documents or other reliable documents)

• Proof of normal mortality documentation

• Copy of grower’s contracts, if applicable

USDA has established normal mortality rates for each type and weight range of eligible livestock, i.e. Adult Beef Cow = 1.5% and Non-Adult Beef Cattle (less than 400 pounds) = 3%. These established percentages reflect losses that are considered expected or typical under “normal” conditions.

In addition to filing a notice of loss, you must also submit an application for payment by March 1, 2022.

Contact the Kay County USDA-Farm Service Agency at 580-362-2575 and speak with a technician for more details.