If you’re going to file a claim under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for losses incurred from Jan. 1, 2008, through July 12, 2009, you have until Sept. 13.

LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat and extreme cold.

“Producers need to file a notice of loss and complete the application for payment at the local county office of the Farm Service Agency (FSA)," says Dwight Aakre, North Dakota State University Extension Service farm management specialist. "A notice of loss can be reported by the producer to the local FSA office by phone, fax, email or in person."

Aakre explains LIP compensates producers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality rates because of adverse weather that occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011. A disaster designation is not needed to trigger payment eligibility for LIP. Payments will be based on a producer's eligible losses due to adverse weather conditions.

“Payment rates are per head, type of livestock and weight range," Aakre says. "Payments are based on 75% of fair market value as determined by the FSA.”

Last week, USDA announced it split its “above 400 lbs.” LIP category for non-adult cattle into two categories: 400-799 lbs. and 800 lbs. or more. The change was made in order to assign market value more accurately and fairly.

"Producers should talk to their county FSA staff to clarify the evidence of loss that will be needed to substantiate their claim," Aakre says. "Most important is that if producers think they may have a loss but are uncertain, the producer needs to call the county FSA office before Sept. 13."

For more LIP information, www.fsa.usda.gov.