Daily News Update, Nov. 30, 2007

USDA messing up implementation of Livestock Compensation Program
From Oklahoma Farm News Update by Ron Hays

 So says Senator John Thune of South Dakota.  He and more than 20 additional members of Congress say they are prepared to take legislative action if the Department of Agriculture does not ease its restrictive eligibility policies for the Livestock Compensation Program. During 2005, 2006 and part of 2007, Thune says thousands of livestock producers suffered legitimate losses due to droughts, and other natural disasters. In some areas, he says - entire states were declared disaster areas, making nearly all livestock producers and their livestock eligible for disaster assistance.

According to USDA policies - livestock owners with grazing land in more than one county are ineligible for LCP assistance, even if pasture losses were 100 percent; confined livestock are ineligible; and inaccurate grazing loss caps have been established in certain counties, drastically reducing payment amounts. The Senators say the intent of Congress is that producers would not be required to document a grazing loss in order to be eligible for the Livestock Compensation Program. Thune says if Congress had intended for a grazing loss program, we would have authorized a Livestock Assistance Program, which requires certified grazing losses to determine eligibility.

We have linked below a news release from Senator Thune and the text of the letter sent to Acting Secretary Chuck Conner.

Click here for Senator Thune Blasting Away at how USDA is handling the Livestock Compensation Program.