Livestock Forage Disaster Program announced due to drought conditions

As a result of ongoing drought conditions in Washington State, Adams County has been designated as eligible to implement Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).

LFP is authorized when drought conditions, as determined by U.S. Drought Monitor reach a minimum level of D-2 (indicating severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks or longer during the established grazing season. Assistance is calculated on a percentage equal to the lesser of one month feed loss on eligible grazing sources, or one month of livestock feed needs.

Applicants must report all acreage grazed by filing a current year report of acreage, and are also required to establish control of leased rangeland by providing copies of current leases, or through use of CCC-855 Lease Certification forms signed by lessor to establish control of land and lease terms.

Adjacent counties eligible for LFP include Franklin and Grant counties. Lincoln County and Whitman County do not currently meet the criteria of D-2 Drought intensity for eight consecutive weeks; therefore, rangeland physically located in a county not designated as eligible to implement LFP would not be included in the LFP application for multi-county livestock operations.

The deadline to file application for LFP assistance is Jan. 30, 2016.

To apply for assistance, contact the Adams County FSA Office for an appointment. Applicants are required to provide information on livestock herd inventory during the period of 60 days prior to authorization of LFP, and provide record of any livestock mitigated (disposed) during this period as a result of drought. The beginning inventory date for Adams County was April 28.