WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2009 – The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced it will add an additional weight category to the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for non-adult beef cattle, non-adult dairy cattle and non-adult buffalo/beefalo.

The over 400 pound category will be split into 2 categories, 400 to 799 pounds and 800 pounds or more. This change will ensure that the assigned market values for non-adult beef cattle, non-adult dairy cattle and non-adult buffalo/beefalo over 400 pounds reflect the statutory requirement for the payment to be 75 percent of the market value for the livestock.

FSA state offices will establish new normal mortality rates for each of the new weight categories covered under LIP and FSA national headquarters will establish average fair market prices for each category.

LIP was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill and provides assistance to producers for livestock deaths that result from natural disasters. Using funds from the Agricultural Disaster Relief Trust Fund established under section 902 of the Trade Act of 1974, the program is administered by FSA. 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. Eligible losses must have occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011.

For more information on LIP and other USDA Farm Service Agency disaster assistance programs, please visit your FSA county office or www.fsa.usda.gov .

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