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Feed Transportation Assistance Now Available
Commercial producers impacted by the 2021 drought can enroll now through January 31, 2022 in the USDA’s feed transportation program as part of the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP).
To be eligible for ELAP assistance, livestock must be intended for grazing and producers must have incurred feed transportation costs on or after January 1, 2021. Eligible ranchers will be reimbursed 60% of feed transportation costs above what would have been incurred in a normal year. Producers qualifying as underserved (socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning or military veteran) will be reimbursed for 90% of the feed transportation cost above what would have been incurred in a normal year.
The USDA uses a national cost formula to determine reimbursement costs that will not include the first 25 miles and distances exceeding 1,000 transportation miles. The calculation will also exclude the normal cost to transport hay or feed if the producer normally purchases some feed. For 2021, the initial cost formula of $6.60 per mile will be used (before the percentage factor of 60% or 90% is applied).
An online tool, in the form of a Microsoft Excel workbook, to calculate the estimated payment for feed transportation assistance is available at fsa.usda.gov/elap . This is NOT an application but will simplify and expedite the application process.
To use the tool, ranchers will need:
- Number of truckloads for this year
- Mileage per truckload this year
- Share of feed cost this year (if splitting loads).
- Normal mileage per truckload
- Share of normal feed cost
Due to current office workload and staffing limitations, we are asking producers to complete this worksheet and gather transportation cost documentation prior to making an appointment for enrollment. The deadline to apply for ELAP is January 31, 2022. Producers without access to Excel are encouraged to contact the FSA office for assistance.
FSA Temporary Program Technician Position
The Campbell County FSA office has a temporary Program Technician position available through March 31, 2022. Duties will include general clerical activities, responding to producer inquiries, and assisting staff. Computer experience and an agricultural background would be helpful. The workweek is Monday through Friday, up to 40 hours per week, pay of $15.15 per hour and proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Call 307-696-4450 if interested.
Wool Loan Deficiency Payments (LDP)
Wool rates for the week of November 10th- November 17th, 2021 are .40/pound. To lock in this rate, sign your wool LDP application and submit your shorn wool receipts.
Livestock Forage Program (LFP)
FSA is currently accepting applications for LFP for grazed and native improved pasture and certain crops planted specifically for grazing. Eligible livestock include beef cattle, buffalo/bison, beefalo, equine, goats, sheep and more. Campbell County is currently eligible for 4 months of payments. Records of all drought related sales of livestock are necessary. Please contact the office for details on livestock categories and to make an appointment. January 31, 2022 is the deadline to enroll in LFP for 2021 losses.
From the Campbell County FSA Staff
Providing Conservation Practices to Protect Natural Resources
Casper, Wyoming – November 2, 2021 – Farmers, Ranchers and landowners will want to plan ahead and sign up early for USDA conservation funding. James Bauchert, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting State Conservationist in Wyoming, announced farmers, ranchers and landowners interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Agricultural Management Assistance Program (AMA) and Regional Conservation Planning Partnership Program (RCPP) need to apply by Nov. 22, 2021, to be considered for funding in the current 2022 cycle. Applications are being taken at all USDA Service Centers in Wyoming.
While Wyoming NRCS accepts applications for these programs year-round, farmers, ranchers and landowners should apply by the Nov. 22 ranking date to be considered for this year’s funding. If you apply after the program ranking date, Wyoming NRCS will automatically consider your application during the next funding cycle. State-specific ranking dates for all programs can be found at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/staterankingdates/.
EQIP is the primary program available to farmers and landowners for farm and woodland conservation work, offering payments for over 120 basic conservation practices. Last year, Wyoming received over $14 million in funds for EQIP practices.
“The new Farm Bill allows NRCS to support conservation that ensures cost-effective financial assistance for improved soil health, water and air quality and other natural resources benefits,” said Bauchert. By getting EQIP applications in early, NRCS staff will have time to assist in planning conservation practice needs.”
All eligible applications received by Nov. 22, 2021, will be evaluated, prioritized and ranked for funding in 2022. Producers may contact their local USDA Service Center to get started on producer eligibility and planning. Bauchert reminds farmers who are interested in practices that may require permits, such as manure storage or streambank restoration, to begin planning and seeking permits as soon as possible.
Sign up also includes several special initiatives focusing on conservation efforts.
Sign-up opportunities are now open for all ranking pools for EQIP, AMA and RCPP. Special initiatives are also available for Beginning Farmer, Socially Disadvantaged and other historically underserved customers at increased payment rates. High Priority Practices and identified Source Water Protection areas for Wyoming also have increased payment rates for the EQIP program.
Local Work Group (LWG)/Divisions: Wyoming has nine local work groups which correlate to nine Divisions. Each Division has a fund pools specific to their LWG. LWGs collect local stakeholder input and use the feedback to focus on their own local resource concern priorities for each fund pool, making each Division fund pool unique and locally relevant.
On-Farm Energy: NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. Audit data is used to plan, develop and implement energy conservation recommendations.
Organic: NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers, working to achieve organic certification, install conservation practices to address resource concerns on organic operations.
High Tunnel System (Hoop House): NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels ‒ steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. Supporting conservation practices, such as grassed waterways and diversions, are available to address resource concerns on operations with Seasonal High Tunnel structures.
Soil Health: Soil is a living and life-giving natural resource. By farming using soil health principles and systems that include no-till, cover cropping and diverse rotations, more and more farmers are increasing their soil’s organic matter and improving microbial activity.
Source Water Protection: Source water refers to ground water aquifers, rivers or lakes that provide water to public drinking supplies. Areas in Wisconsin with high concentrations of public water systems experiencing elevated nitrate levels have been identified for eligibility. Specific practices identified as improving nitrate levels are eligible to receive 90% payment rate, such as Nutrient Management, Filter Strips, and Forage and Biomass Planting. To see which watersheds are eligible and practices that can receive the 90% payment rate, visit the Source Water Protection section of the Wisconsin NRCS website here.
Working Lands for Wildlife – Sage Grouse Initiative: NRCS launched the Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI) in 2010 as a highly targeted and science-based landscape approach to proactively conserve sage-grouse and sustain the working rangelands that support western ranching economies. This innovative partnership of ranchers, agencies, universities, non-profit groups and businesses all embrace a common vision – achieving wildlife conservation through sustainable ranching. Visit sagegrouseinitiative.com to learn more about the partnership.
Regional Conservation Partnership Program: The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) promotes coordination between NRCS and its partners to deliver conservation assistance to producers and landowners. NRCS provides assistance to producers through partnership agreements and through program contracts or easement agreements. Current active projects include Popo Agie Watershed Health and Securing the Grass Highway for Wyoming Migrations.
Agricultural Management Assistance Program: Helps agricultural producers use conservation to manage risk and address natural resource issues through natural resources conservation.
Landowners interested in applying for EQIP funding should contact their local NRCS office at the USDA Service Center for their county. For more information, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.
Helping People Help the Land
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) has several loan programs to help you start or continue an agriculture operation. Farm ownership and operating loans are available.
While all qualified producers are eligible to apply for these loan programs, FSA has provided priority funding for members of targeted underserved applicants.
A targeted underserved applicant is one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic or gender prejudice because of his or her identity as members of the group without regard to his or her individual qualities.
For purposes of this program, targeted underserved groups are women, African Americans, American Indians, Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
FSA loans are only available to applicants who meet all the eligibility requirements and are unable to obtain the needed credit elsewhere.
November 22nd: EQIP & AMA Signup Deadline
November 25th: Thanksgiving- Office Closed
December 1st: 2022 NAP Enrollment Deadline
December 1st: NAP Notice of Loss Deadline
January 31st, 2022: Enrollment Deadline for LFP and ELAP (Feed Transportation Program)
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