PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
October 12, 2006 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856

LINCOLN - Cattle and sheep producers in western and central Nebraska are encouraged to file an application for drought assistance soon as the program deadline is nearing.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach said today only two weeks remain in the application period for the Livestock Assistance Grant Program. Cattle and sheep producers who meet program criteria must apply by self-certifying their herd numbers and drought-related expenses to NDA by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 25.

"We are receiving a steady number of telephone inquiries about the program and have received completed applications from producers in each of the 39 program counties," Ibach said. "But based on the number of estimated livestock in the program area and our experience with past programs, we are concerned about the modest number of applications we've received so far.

"It's an extremely busy time of year. We want to make sure producers don't miss this opportunity to access drought assistance," Ibach said. "The application deadline is just around the corner."

Through the Livestock Assistance Grant Program, NDA will distribute $3.6 million to aid beef cattle and sheep producers whose forage was adversely impacted by the 2006 drought. The funding is part of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) drought assistance package announced in August.

Livestock producers must complete a two-page application, which requests self-certification of herd numbers and drought-related livestock expenses. Once the application period closes, the number of eligible livestock certified to NDA will be calculated and the $3.6 million will be prorated on a per-head basis. Producers should receive payment in late November.

Ibach said it is the producer's responsibility to submit an application. Producers will not receive any direct notification of the program from NDA.

NDA created a detailed Question and Answer Document to help farmers and ranchers as they fill out the application. The document, the application form and other materials can be found on-line at www.droughtcentral.org under "Agriculture Drought Disaster Program Opportunities." Producers also may be able to receive program information from local Farm Service Agency offices, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offices and feed companies.

Producers with questions can call NDA toll free at 800-422-6692.