Because of drought, 27 state counties including San Benito and
Santa Clara counties have been declared agricultural disaster areas
by the state’s Farm Service Agency director and are eligible for
livestock compensation.
Because of drought, 27 state counties including San Benito and Santa Clara counties have been declared agricultural disaster areas by the state’s Farm Service Agency director and are eligible for livestock compensation.
Livestock owners in the affected counties are eligible for low-interest emergency loans and should apply immediately. The deadline to submit an application is Dec. 13.
Payments for the livestock compensation program are based on standard feed consumption data for each eligible type of livestock. Types of livestock adjusted by these factors and payments rates are as follows:
– Beef cows, $18 per head; dairy cows, $31.50 per head; stockers, $13.50; buffalo and beefalo, $18; goats and sheep, $4.50 per head.
Producers will certify the number of eligible animals owned as of June 1. The animals must have been owned for 90 days or more before and/or after June. Payment will be determined by multiplying the number of eligible animals by the respective payment rate. Producers will be subjected to a $2.5 million gross income limit and payments are limited to $40,000 per person.
Applications should be filed in the county in which the livestock operation is headquartered. Owners in San Benito and Santa Clara counties should file applications and eligibility forms at the Farm Service Agency, 2337 Technology Parkway, Suite A, Hollister, or call 637-4360 for details.
