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

LINCOLN - Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach announced the opening of a sign-up period for livestock producers to apply for drought assistance. Beginning today, beef cattle and sheep producers who meet program criteria can apply by self-certifying their herd numbers and drought-related expenses to NDA.

"We encourage livestock producers in the 39 qualified counties to seek more information about the program and fill out an application as soon as possible," Ibach said. "There is a 30-day application window, but fall is a busy time of year. We don't want our farmers and ranchers to delay and then miss their chance to sign up."

Through the 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. USDA asked states to distribute the livestock assistance grant money, and Governor Dave Heineman instructed NDA to develop and administer a program.

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 NDA has enlisted the assistance of the Farm Service Agency and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offices to distribute program information and applications. NDA will not be sending producers program notification in the mail.

"It is up to the producer to seek out program information, and then fill out and send in the application," Ibach said. "We will do our best to make the information available through as many resources as possible.

"We have tried to make the application form as simple as possible, while still meeting the requirements set out by USDA. This is a new program for us. We will work hard to administer it as seamlessly as possible, but we also ask for patience from producers as we begin this process," 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.