PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
October 25, 2006 www.agr.ne.gov		Contact: Christin Kamm (402) 471-6856

LINCOLN - Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach announced today the extension of a deadline to apply for the state’s Livestock Assistance Grant Program. The deadline to apply for the drought assistance funding previously had been set for Wednesday, October 25. The new deadline is Friday, November 3.

“We wanted to give our farmers and ranchers some additional time since fall is so busy with harvest and preparations for winter,” Ibach said. “It’s important that cattle and sheep producers have plenty of opportunity to access these drought assistance funds.

“From the input we’ve already received, this money is needed. Many producers have reported that they pulled livestock off pastures early due to the poor grazing conditions, were forced to cull animals, and in some cases had to find alternative sources of water,” Ibach said. “We know these grant dollars do not compare to the drought-related expenses producers have incurred, but I think strong interest in the program will help us send a message to Congressional leadership about the severity of the drought in Nebraska.”

The funding for the Livestock Assistance Grant Program is part of a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) drought assistance package announced in August. Nebraska has been allocated $3.6 million based on USDA estimates of the number of beef cattle and sheep in 39 severely drought-impacted, Nebraska counties.

Beef cattle and sheep producers who meet program criteria can apply for the Livestock Assistance Grant Program by self-certifying their herd numbers and drought-related expenses to NDA. Applicants must complete a two-page form. Once the application period closes on November 3, the number of eligible livestock certified to NDA will be calculated and the $3.6 million will be prorated on a per-head basis.

“Even with the application deadline extended to November 3rd, we will strive to meet our original goal of getting payment to producers by the end of November,” Ibach said.

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

Other entities that may have application information include local Farm Service Agency and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offices, banks and feed stores. NDA will not be sending producers notification of program availability in the mail.