ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 13, 2009

GOEHRING URGES QUICK IMPLEMENTATION OF DISASTER PROGRAMS

BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says the federal government has responded quickly to help livestock producers impacted by weather and flooding, but that more substantial assistance through disaster assistance programs is now needed for producers to recover.

“After meeting with us Friday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, approved $750,000 in emergency livestock assistance for North Dakota,” Goehring said Monday. “What we need now is for federal policymakers developing rules for disaster assistance programs to keep in mind that many Upper Midwest livestock producers have taken a double hit in the past year.”

In a letter sent to Secretary Vilsack Monday, Goehring said many North Dakota producers who are eligible for the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFD) because of extreme drought conditions in 2008 are among those affected by the heavy snowfall and flooding of 2009.

“Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) regulations should be developed with these circumstances in mind,” Goehring said. “The snowfall and flooding has worsened feed shortages and losses caused by the drought and many producers may need feed and feed-related snow removal and transportation assistance beyond that provided by the LFD program.”

The emergency assistance provided last Friday will help with emergency needs until the LFD and ELAP programs are available.

“Since livestock producers cannot insure the value of their livestock production, I also recommend that Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) regulations base newborn livestock indemnity payments on regional cow/calf pair market values rather than ‘day old calf’ market values,” Goehring said.

Goehring enclosed a copy of a concurrent resolution, passed by the North Dakota Legislature, describing the severity of the situation and calling for prompt livestock producer assistance.

“I know you are aware of our region’s weather-related disaster conditions which are causing extreme emotional and financial stress for livestock producers,” Goehring said. “We appreciate your efforts to expedite the implementation of these programs and also request that you consider any discretionary funding and/or authority you might have to assist with or supplement livestock disaster assistance."

The letter was also signed by representatives of the North Dakota Farm Bureau, North Dakota Farmers Union and North Dakota Stockmen’s Association.

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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.