In a bipartisan effort, Senators introduced the Livestock Disaster Relief Act, aimed at bolstering the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) and Emergency Assistance for Livestock Program (ELAP) to better serve ranchers affected by natural calamities.
The proposed legislation seeks to make sensible improvements to LFP and ELAP, ensuring that livestock producers receive adequate support during times of crisis. By aligning coverage between the two programs, increasing assistance for feed costs, including transportation expenses for feed, water, and livestock as covered losses, and making these program enhancements permanent, the bill aims to address the needs of ranchers facing disaster-related challenges.
The Senators are collaborating to advance this legislation as part of the upcoming Farm Bill, recognizing the importance of assisting ranchers in their ongoing efforts to raise high-quality cattle. This initiative builds upon previous endeavors by Senator Hoeven to aid ranchers during periods of severe drought.
The Livestock Disaster Relief Act aligns with other actions taken to support the agricultural community. For instance, expansion of ELAP coverage allows producers impacted by drought to receive a 60% reimbursement of their feed transportation costs above those incurred in a normal year. The legislation provides flexibility for farmers to utilize cover crops, which serve as an additional source of feed for livestock.
The Risk Management Agency (RMA) has also shown support for farmers. Following a visit to North Dakota in 2021, RMA announced that producers can hay, graze, or chop cover crops on prevented plant acres at any time while still receiving their full crop insurance indemnity.
With these proposed improvements and existing measures, the Livestock Disaster Relief Act aims to provide a more robust safety net for ranchers, ensuring they can effectively respond to future disasters while maintaining their valuable livestock operations.
Photo Credit: GettyImages-ahavelaar
Categories: North Dakota, Livestock