Sign-up for LCP Begins April 1

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced today that signup for participation in the Livestock Compensation Program (LCP) will begin April 1.  Information on the LCP will be available at local Farm Service Agency offices or on the USDA web site at www.fsa.usda.gov.

At the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Board of Director’s meeting on Feb. 1, cattle producers made clear that disaster assistance remains a huge priority, and adopted formal resolutions to aggressively pursue adequate funding for livestock producers adversely impacted by disaster conditions, in addition to the funding provided last fall through NCBA’s efforts.

To that end, the FY 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Bill signed into law by President Bush on Feb. 20 allocates $350 million for the Livestock Assistance Program (LAP) and Livestock Compensation Program (LCP).  Throughout the drawn-out appropriations process, NCBA communicated the needs of cattle producers to Congress and the Administration, urging support to help producers deal with the ongoing drought.

“NCBA is committed to working with Congress and government agencies to make sure that implementation of the Livestock Compensation Program is a smooth and efficient process, and that benefits reach producers in a timely manner,” says Eric Davis, Idaho cattle producer and NCBA president.  “Our focus continues to be on finding ways to get funds quickly into the hands of ranching families who need it the most.” 

In a related development, NCBA is supporting the “Rancher HELP (Help Extend Livestock Proceeds) Act of 2003” (H.R. 478), introduced by Rep. Scott McInnis (R-CO). This legislation will defer capitol gains taxes for cattle producers forced to sell livestock due to drought.