Ranchers and livestock producers in four southeastern Colorado counties are now eligible for benefits under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program as continuing drought conditions decimate the area, the United States Department of Agriculture said today.
The ranchers eligible have grazing lands in Bent, Baca, Prowers and Las Animas counties, said the agency.
“We anticipate more counties may become eligible between now and the end of September, so livestock producers should stay tuned,” said Trudy Kareus, executive director of the USDA’s Colorado Farm Service Agency.
The forage disaster program provides payments to eligible livestock producers that have suffered livestock grazing losses due to qualifying drought. Eligible livestock include beef cattle, alpacas, bison, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep and swine.
The livestock producers have a Jan. 30, 2012, deadline for applying for benefits.
Kareus said it is imperative that those affected meet the deadline.
“To ensure a smooth application process, producers should have all the required supporting documentation with them at the time they visit our office to apply for benefits,” she said.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
