CASPER, Wyo. — On Thursday, Aug. 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that technical and financial assistance is available to farmers and livestock producers significantly impacted by recent wildfires throughout the state.
“Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses and damages,” USDA said in the announcement.
Many different programs offering assistance are available to agricultural producers based on loss needs.
Producers who have experienced livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality or have reduced livestock prices due to injury could be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). To participate in LIP, producers need to provide acceptable loss of death documentation or evidence of reduced sales resulting from an adverse weather event.
Orchardists and nursery tree growers could be eligible for cost-share assistance through the Tree Assistance Program. Additionally, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program provides producers with compensation for feed and grazing losses, transportation of feed to livestock and hauling livestock to grazing acres.
The Farm Service Agency’s Emergency Conservation Program can assist landowners with financial and technical assistance to remove debris from farmland such as woody material, sand, rock and materials on cropland or pastureland.
The Conservation Reserve Program provides emergency and non-emergency haying and grazing relief to livestock producers affected by a severe drought or similar natural disasters.
For application criteria and submission deadlines for all of USDA’s relief programs, contact the USDA Wyoming State Office.
