WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that ranchers who have signed up for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) have begun receiving disaster payments for forage losses due to severe drought. Producers are reminded that LFP sign up for 2008 losses ends Dec. 10, 2009, and Jan. 30, 2010, for 2009 losses.

"These payments will help producers recover from financial setbacks due to drought," said Vilsack. "This program is just one of our disaster programs, which help stabilize the livestock industry when disasters occur."

The first LFP payments were issued to ranchers in two of the hardest hit disaster counties in the nation: Wilson and Guadalupe counties in Texas. These payments will compensate ranchers who suffered extreme drought losses in 2008 and 2009. This assistance will help ranchers provide feed for their livestock this fall. Producers in all counties that have suffered a severe, extreme or exceptional drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor are encouraged to visit their local FSA county office to apply for assistance under LFP.

LFP provides payments to eligible livestock producers that have suffered livestock grazing losses due to qualifying drought or fire. Eligible livestock under LFP include beef cattle, alpacas, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep and swine. Losses due to drought and qualifying drought ratings are determined using the U.S. Drought Monitor located at http://www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272(voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).