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MO FSA Director: strong interest in drought programs

The state executive director for Missouri’s Farm Service Agency says last year’s widespread drought has encouraged one of the biggest sign-ups ever for the Livestock Forage Program.

“We’ve given out more than $170 million.”

Joe Aull tells Brownfield severe to exceptional drought challenged grazing, hay supplies and water for the state’s livestock producers.

“A producer on LFP have to turn in their number of livestock, cattle, goats or sheep, affected by the losses of grazing and water and we pay so much per animal for those losses. This past year, I think payments ranged from $35 to $40 per animal.”

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map says abnormally dry to severe drought conditions remain across Missouri. Aull says might also qualify for other FSA programs, including the Emergency Relief Program and Emergency Livestock Relief Program.

“In 2022, if a producer qualified for LFP, they automatically qualified for the ELRP. It’s additional money on top of what they received for LFP.”

The deadline for farmers to apply for the 2023 Livestock Forage Program is the end of January. Brownfield interviewed Aull during the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention and Trade Show.