January 29, 2008 09:49 am
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ST. PAUL (Jan. 29, 2008 — Legislation extending disaster assistance to cover 2007 crop and livestock losses was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2008 passed by Congress and signed by President Bush late last year. The 2008 act extends the Crop Disaster Program, Livestock Compensation Program and Livestock Indemnity Program payments to eligible farmers and ranchers who suffered 2007 crop, livestock, and livestock feed losses through Dec. 31.
Previous legislation authorized disaster assistance for 2005-06 crop and livestock losses. Sign-up for 2005-06 crop and livestock disaster assistance began last fall, and limited producers to losses occurred between Jan. 1, 2005, and Feb. 28, 2007.
"With the passage of this legislation, eligible producers who suffered drought or flood losses in 2007 can benefit from the disaster program," said Minnesota FSA State Executive Director Perry Aasness. "FSA is currently issuing LCP and LIP payments for losses up to Feb. 28, 2007, and will soon issue payments for losses incurred during the remainder of 2007."
FSA county office staff will compare producer applications covering years 2005, 2006 and 2007. Payments will be made on the highest of the three years.
The FSA will conduct sign-up and begin making payments for quality losses under the CDP this spring. More information about CDP, LCP and LIP is available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
The Dairy Disaster Assistance Payment Program, which provides benefits to eligible dairy producers for production losses suffered as a result of natural disasters since Jan. 1, 2005, has also been extended to cover losses occurring thru Dec. 31, 2007. As a result, DDAP-III sign-up, which began Dec. 3, 2007, has been temporarily suspended until automation, policy, procedure and other administrative items could be updated accordingly. DDAP-III program sign-up will resume Feb. 4.
2008 act affects other FSA programs
The 2008 act also extends the FSA's authority to administer the Conservation Reserve Program and marketing loan benefits for wool and mohair through March 15. It also allows the Milk Price Support Program to continue operating at current price support levels through March 15. Under the 2002 farm bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's authority to administer these three programs expired on Dec. 31, 2007.
Additionally, the 2008 Act provides $3.3 billion in direct and guaranteed loan funds for the FSA's Farm Loan Programs.
Farmers and ranchers can find additional 2007 disaster assistance information at their county FSA office.
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