Dearborn, Franklin and Ripley County Livestock Producers Reminded to Report Forage Losses by January 30

INDIANAPOLIS, NOVEMBER 20, 2024 - Producers in Indiana counties of Dearborn, Franklin and Ripley who suffered grazing losses that occurred throughout 2024 due to drought are reminded to report their losses and to enroll in the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) by Jan. 30, 2025.

LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately-owned or cash-leased land or fire on federally managed land. Drought conditions have created a need for livestock disaster assistance programs in Dearborn, Franklin and Ripley counties.

Producers in Dearborn, Franklin and Ripley Counties are eligible to apply for 2024 LFP benefits on native pasture, full season improved pasture and forage sorghum. Livestock producers in the above-mentioned counties are encouraged to contact their FSA Office with any questions regarding specific forage crops that are eligible and to schedule an appointment to enroll into the program prior to the Jan. 30, 2025, deadline.

Livestock producers must complete the LFP application and required supporting documentation no later than Jan. 30, 2025, for losses that occurred throughout 2024. Producers who already have appointments scheduled require no additional action to meet the deadline.

Eligible livestock includes alpacas, beef cattle, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep or swine that have been or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland.

Visit usda.gov/disaster to learn more about FSA disaster assistance programs or contact your local FSA Office. To find a local FSA office, visit farmers.gov.

In a continuing effort to better serve the public, USDA has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other disaster-focused organizations to develop a central resource for disaster related materials. This knowledgebase is a collection of disaster-related resources that are powered by agents with subject-matter expertise. Visit the USDA Disaster Resource Centerwebsite to find additional USDA disaster information and assistance.