Disaster Assistance For 2023 Livestock Forage Losses In 21 Montana Counties

Livestock producers in 21 Montana counties are eligible to apply for 2023 Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) benefits on small grain, native pasture, improved pasture, annual ryegrass, and forage sorghum. LFP provides compensation if you suffer grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately owned or leased land, or fire on federally managed land. County committees can only accept LFP applications after notification is received by the National Office of qualifying drought, or if a federal agency prohibits producers from grazing normal permitted livestock on federally managed lands due to qualifying fire. The following 21 Montana counties have triggered the 2023 LFP drought criteria: Blaine, Chouteau, Flathead, Garfield, Glacier, Hill, Lake, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Lincoln, McCone, Mineral, Missoula, Pondera, Phillips, Powell, Roosevelt, Sanders, Teton, Toole, and Valley.

Producers must complete a CCC-853 and provide required supporting documentation no later than Jan. 30, 2024, for 2023 losses.

Producers in these counties are also eligible to apply for benefits under the 2023 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP) for losses relating to feed transportation, livestock transportation and water transportation costs. The new deadline for filing a notice of loss under ELAP will be the same as the final date to submit an application for payment, which is 30 calendar days following the program year of which the loss occurred. Applications for payment and notices of loss must be completed no later than Jan. 30, 2024, for 2023 losses.

For additional information about LFP, including eligible livestock and fire criteria, contact the local USDA Service Center and/or visit http://www.farmers.gov and/or fsa.usda.gov/mt.