Eligible ranchers and livestock producers may now apply for benefits through the Livestock Indemnity Program provided in the 2008 Farm Bill.

"This program will provide livestock producers with a vital safety net to help them overcome the damaging financial impact of natural disasters," said Mike Eaves, acting state executive director for USDA's Farm Service Agency.

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides assistance to producers for livestock deaths that result from disaster. LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, including losses because of hurricanes, floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat and extreme cold.

Eligible losses must have occurred after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011.

Specific provisions for other supplemental agricultural disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Act will be implemented through separate rule-making and announced at a later date.

More information about the Livestock Indemnity Program, including deadlines for filing notice of loss and submission of applications, is available at the Moore-Montgomery FSA office in the Moore County Agriculture Center on Pinehurst Avenue in Carthage.