South Dakota State Farm Service Agency officials say it’s too early to provide an estimate on the number of livestock that died in this weekend’s blizzard. However, livestock producers can use USDA’s Livestock Indemnity Program if they had losses in their herd. Jamie White is Executive Officer with the South Dakota FSA State office. She says those producers need to report losses to their county FSA office.
She says for livestock producers to be eligible for assistance they must report losses within 30 days.
White says it’s also a good idea to take photos of the livestock lost and keep accurate records and rendering receipts. She says indemnity assistance will help producers, but the payments won’t cover the entire loss.
White says before the indemnity program kicks in, a producer must have a 5-percent normal mortality rate, which varies by the class of livestock.
White says producers may also be eligible for assistance through the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program for snow removal, feed assistance or fencing. Producers should contact their county FSA office for more information.
