ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 1, 2009

JOHNSON URGES IMPLEMENTATION OF LIVESTOCK ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson has renewed his call on the federal government to quickly implement the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) and Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to help storm and flood-stricken livestock producers.

“The harsh winter and excessive snow has now progressed into widespread flooding and recent blizzard conditions with heavy snow accumulations continuing into the spring calving season,” Johnson said Wednesday, in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “We are hearing of high calf death losses, drowned and stranded livestock and feed shortages . . .  and we are working with state and federal agencies to document livestock losses, assist with feed emergencies and, in some cases, assist with carcass recovery and disposal efforts.”

Johnson wrote to Vilsack on Jan. 21, urging the then-new USDA chief to quickly make ELAP available under an interim rule or other appropriate implementation method. Since then, however, the situation has become much graver with many producers finding it difficult to buy feed and to get it to their animals.”

“Producers are extremely stressed, both mentally and financially,” he said. “Most of them know about the LIP and the ELAP, but they need specific information on how and when these programs will be available.”

Johnson said producers should stay in contact with their local extension agents and keep detailed records of livestock death losses and related expenses to be eligible for future assistance.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.