Alabama livestock producers who suffered grazing and feed losses because of Hurricane Michael in October 2018 can sign up for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assistance through Jan. 30.

In order for farmers to access the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP), USDA has agreed to waive the loss notice, which is typically filed within 30 days of the loss.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, very few applications for ELAP assistance were submitted, and it appeared farmers were not aware of the program at the time,” said Alabama Farmers Federation National Affairs Director Mitt Walker. “The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries worked with USDA to waive the loss notice so producers in impacted counties can now benefit from this program.”

Eligible livestock must be

Grazing animals, such as adult or non-adult dairy cattle, adult or non-adult beef cattle, adult or non-adult buffalo, equine, goats and sheep
Livestock that would normally have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland during the normal grazing period for the specific pasture type of grazing land or pastureland in the county where the weather occurred
Owned, cash-leased, purchased, under contract for purchase or been raised by a contract grower or an eligible livestock producer during the 60 days before the adverse weather
Maintained for commercial use as part of the producer’s farming operation on the beginning date of the eligible adverse weather

ELAP covers losses not provided for in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, Livestock Forage Disaster Program or the Livestock Indemnity Program. 

To learn more, visit fsa.usda.gov.