By DOUG SCHMITZ
Iowa Correspondent

DES MOINES, Iowa — Because of the extreme, record high heat waves over the past several weeks, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey has asked Iowa’s farmers to report any livestock death losses to their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office.

“We have great livestock farmers in Iowa who have done everything they can to care for their animals during this record-breaking heat wave,” he said last week, “but reports of deaths due to the heat are starting to come in, and I encourage farmers with losses to contact their local FSA office.

“Producers only have 30 days from when the loss was discovered to file a notice of loss, so it is important that they start the process in a timely manner.
“If the farmers qualify for the program, they will be eligible to receive 75 percent of the value of the livestock lost.”

John R. Whitaker, state executive director of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), said producers who incur eligible livestock death losses due to the recent extreme temperatures and other adverse weather events may be eligible for the program.

“Extreme temperatures have impacted many of our livestock producers,” he said.

“Those producers who have suffered eligible livestock losses should contact our offices to file a notice of loss.”

For 2011 calendar year livestock deaths, producers must provide a notice of loss on the FSA-914 form 30 calendar days from when the loss of livestock was apparent to the producer, with the deadline ending Oct. 31.

Under the program, “adequate documentation must prove the death of eligible livestock occurred as a direct result of an eligible adverse weather event in the calendar year for which benefits are being requested.”

“Producers who suffered eligible livestock losses due to adverse weather will be required to provide documentation of the livestock lost for the LIP program,” Whitaker said. “FSA staff can provide producers with a list of acceptable loss documentation.”

If adequate proof of death documentation is not available, certifications of livestock deaths by third parties not affiliated with the farming operation may be accepted, he added.

LIP indemnity payments will be based on three-quarters of the fair market value of the livestock, as determined by FSA.

For more information on signing up for the LIP, visit www.fsa.usda.gov