Recently, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to visit with Oklahoma State University associate professor of agricultural economics, Dr. Amy Hagerman, about programs to help producers whom the recent wildfires in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles have impacted.
“There are still some flare-ups happening out there and we have got some conditions happening this weekend that we need to be very careful of,” Hagerman said.
As producers make it back onto their properties, Hagerman said documentation should be of top priority for producers wanting to take advantage of some of these programs.
“If you have dead livestock, it is making sure we get some documentation of that and documentation to apply for the Livestock Indemnity Program, which pays for those excess losses that you experience due to a disaster event,” Hagerman said. “These wildfires certainly qualify as a disaster event.”
Aside from livestock, Hagerman said producers also need to take a record of repairs that will need to be completed on their property, such as fences, equipment, and buildings.
Using the Livestock Indemnity Program as an example, Hagerman said producers will need to show proof of ownership and proof that the livestock is deceased. The Livestock Indemnity Program is not only for the cattle that have died, Hagerman said, but for injured cattle as well.
The Emergency Conservation Program is another program producers can utilize in the instance of these wildfires, Hagerman said, for any damage to fences, debris removal, land restoration, and more.
“ECP is also a program that pays up to 75 percent of the cost for these practices, so it is a cost-share program,” Hagerman said.
By having a conversation with their local FSA office, Hagerman said the staff should help producers navigate the next steps and talk about different programs that may benefit them.
