LEWISTON – Livestock producers who suffered grazing losses that occurred in 2001 or 2002 are eligible to apply for benefits under the Farm Service Agency’s Livestock Assistance Program through Oct. 24.

Under the program, a producer’s grazing land must be located in a county that was declared a primary disaster area under a presidential or secretarial declaration for the 2001 or 2002 crop years.

In addition, a county must have suffered at least a 40 percent grazing loss for three or more consecutive months in a calendar year in order to be eligible for that year. Androscoggin and Sagadahoc fit these criteria for crop year 2001. Neither county will have a program for the 2002 crop year.

Farmers will receive compensation on a per-head basis of eligible livestock, which includes beef and dairy cattle, buffalo, beefalo, sheep, goats and swine. Producers will certify the number of animals owned during the disaster period. Each animal type will be classified according to their weight. Proof of animal numbers and weights are not required at the time of the application, but all farmers are subject to spot check.

Payments will not be issued until after the program ends and the total value of all applications are determined. If payments exceed the $250 million available for the program, then individual payments will be adjusted proportionately. A $40,000 payment limitation applies to program assistance.

Livestock payments issued to a farmer will be reduced by the amount of assistance received by that same producer under the Livestock Compensation Program. Individuals and entities whose previous three-year average adjusted gross income exceeds $2.5 million are ineligible for the program.

Contact the Androscoggin-Sagadahoc County FSA office at 753-9400, ext. 300, for additional information.