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As we near the end of 2022, we want to wish all our farmer and rancher customers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We wish you all the best through the holidays and into the new year.
As we move into the time of year for severe winter weather, our office wants to remind livestock producers of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). LIP provides financial assistance for losses of eligible livestock, above normal mortality rates, due to eligible adverse weather. Please remember that losses must be reported to our office within 30 days of when those livestock losses are apparent. You can do that through a phone call to our office.
For our crop producers, now is a good time of year to review your options related to the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. ARC and PLC are the key safety net programs for commodity crop production, and the election and enrollment period for next year’s production season is now open through March 15, 2023. We have a large number of you to get through this process by the March 15 deadline, so please contact the office to schedule your signup appointment.
I want to congratulate Ron Wilson on his re-election to the County FSA Committee for Local Administrative Area no. 2. We look forward to working with you and the rest of the committee in the new year. Thank you to everyone who returned a COC election ballot for this year’s election.
Wishing you a happy and healthy start to the new year.
--Dan
What are Your 2023 Conservation Resolutions?
2022 is coming to an end, which means it’s time to start thinking about what you want to work on in the new year. Setting resolutions can be hard, but we’re here to help!
If you would like to make a #ConservationResolution for 2023, here are some options to consider:
- Incorporate cover crops into your operation.
- Extend your growing season by using a high tunnel.
- Improve your soil health by utilizing no-till practices.
- Provide recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat by restoring wetlands.
- Reduce input costs by focusing on nutrient management.
- Protect topsoil and groundwater quality by devoting environmentally sensitive agricultural land to conservation benefits instead of farming. To get started on your #ConservationResolutions, we recommend you stop by your local USDA service center, so we can discuss your vision for your land. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can provide you with free technical assistance and or advice.
Learn about the benefits of conservation practices directly from the farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners applying them with our series of 90-second videos. Explore the different types of conservation practices by watching our Conservation at Work series. You can also read producer profiles on farmers.gov.
The Cass County NRCS can be reached by phone at (402) 267-2025, ext. 3.
The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides financial benefits to producers who suffer livestock losses above normal mortality due to adverse weather, which can include winter storms with certain conditions such as heavy snowfall and extremely cold temperatures.
Livestock producers who have experienced weather-related livestock losses are reminded that reporting and documenting those losses is an important part of the LIP application process. Producers must report losses within 30 days of when those livestock losses become apparent. A phone call to the county FSA office can serve as official notice of loss. Cass County FSA can be reached at (402) 267-2025, ext. 2.
Adequate documentation must be provided that proves the death or injury of eligible livestock occurred as a direct result of an eligible loss condition in the calendar year for which benefits are being requested. Documentation also must provide sufficient data that identifies the quantity and the livestock kind/type and weight range. Documents providing acceptable evidence may include, but are not limited to, any or a combination of the following:
- contemporaneous producer records existing at the time of event - pictures with a date
- rendering truck receipts or certificates
- veterinary records
- records assembled for tax purposes
- private insurance documents
- bank or other loan documents
- brand inspection records
Livestock owners or contract growers who suffered livestock losses will file a notice of loss and an application for payment at the USDA Service Center responsible for the physical location county where the livestock deaths or injuries occurred. While livestock owners and contract growers must file the notice of loss by 30 calendar days of when the loss is first apparent to the participant, producers have until March 1, 2023, to file the application for payment and provide the supporting documentation for 2022 losses.
Submit Loan Requests for Financing Early
The Farm Loan team in Otoe County is already working on operating loans for spring 2023 and asks potential borrowers to submit their requests early so they can be timely processed. The farm loan team can help determine which loan programs are best for applicants.
FSA offers a wide range of low-interest loans that can meet the financial needs of any farm operation for just about any purpose. The traditional farm operating and farm ownership loans can help large and small farm operations take advantage of early purchasing discounts for spring inputs as well expenses throughout the year.
Microloans are a simplified loan program that will provide up to $50,000 for both Farm Ownership and Operating Microloans to eligible applicants. These loans, targeted for smaller and non-traditional operations, can be used for operating expenses, starting a new operation, purchasing equipment, and other needs associated with a farming operation. Loans to beginning farmers and members of underserved groups are a priority.
Other types of loans available include
Farm Storage Facility Loans can be used to build permanent structures used to store eligible commodities, for storage and handling trucks, or portable or permanent handling equipment. A variety of structures are eligible under this loan, including bunker silos, grain bins, hay storage structures, and refrigerated structures for vegetables and fruit. A producer may borrow up to $500,000 per loan.
For more information, contact your Otoe County USDA Service Center at 402-269-2361 or visit farmers.gov.
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