With the USDA’s disaster declaration announcement made last week, cattle producers across Alabama are being urged to act quickly. We spoke with Erin Beasley from the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, who is encouraging affected producers to get their paperwork filed before the fast-approaching deadline.
Almost a year after a historically active hurricane season impacted much of the Southeast, 39 Alabama counties have been declared eligible for the Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP). This USDA initiative provides relief to livestock producers who suffered losses due to flooding or wildfire.
“That is dealing with counties that were affected by a flood or wildfire in that program, obviously, and Alabama dealing with flood damage coming off of the heels of those hurricanes last year.”
Counties across various parts of the state qualify, including areas in east Alabama, the far northwest, and counties like Sumter and Choctaw.
“So, we are encouraging our counties. It is spread out throughout most, you know, a good bit of the state, so you need to check in if you’re anywhere in east Alabama, if you’re anywhere in the far northwest part of the state, or if you’re in Sumter or Choctaw County, go ahead and visit your local FSA office.”
The USDA ELRP includes compensation for increased hay and feed usage during the flooding that followed last year’s storms. Farmers and ranchers are advised to contact their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office as soon as possible to begin the application process.
“So, the application period is going to be open until October 31st, so now is the time to go ahead and contact your local office, get your paperwork in. If there’s any issues that you have with that, please let us know, but those county offices are taking those applications now until October 31st.”
This program is a key opportunity for Alabama cattle producers to recover from the ongoing effects of last year’s weather disasters.
“So, when our producers take advantage of that program, it is available, and again, that’s one that is coming off of the heels of those hurricanes last fall.”
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.