Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) announced today she has written a letter to the farm bill conferees to bring their attention to significant livestock losses in western Nebraska due to the severe snow storm earlier this month.
In the letter, Fischer highlighted Nebraska’s significant cattle losses to make the case for a speedy reauthorization of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), which will be included in the final farm bill conference report. LIP provides assistance to producers for livestock deaths resulting from disaster.
Citing the substantial economic impact suffered by livestock producers because of the severe weather combined with drought conditions throughout the region in recent years, she writes, “LIP support would provide some modest assistance to Nebraska producers struggling through these difficult economic times for their industry.”
On October 5 and 6, a snow storm reaching blizzard conditions struck the Nebraska counties of Dawes, Sioux, Box Butte and Sheridan. Nebraska Emergency Management Officials estimate cattle deaths resulting from the storm number 3,000-5,000 within western Nebraska counties.
Full text of the letter is included below:
October 17, 2013
Dear Chairwoman Stabenow, Chairman Lucas, Senator Cochran and Congressman Peterson:
I am writing to make you aware of a significant natural disaster that occurred in western Nebraska in early October 2013, which unfortunately killed thousands of cattle and sheep. As you move forward with the 2013 farm bill conference deliberations, I request that you consider the livestock losses impacting the lives and operations of many Nebraska producers. Specifically, I ask that you ensure that coverage of these livestock losses is included as part of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) within the farm bill conference report.
On October 5 and 6, 2013, a snow storm reaching blizzard conditions struck the Nebraska counties of Dawes, Sioux, Box Butte and Sheridan. Unfortunately, several key factors combined to dramatically escalate the death of livestock, including the lack of physical cover and protection from winter elements, cold wind and freezing rain which preceded the blizzard conditions, and the inability of the animals to naturally protect themselves from the sudden cold weather due to a lack of winter coat and hide conditioning.
Nebraska Emergency Management Officials estimate cattle deaths numbering 3,000-5,000 within western Nebraska counties. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality are currently compiling and coordinating the damage assessment reports necessary to support a U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretarial disaster declaration for western Nebraska.
Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman issued an Emergency Declaration for this region on October 7, 2013, stemming from damage incurred during winter storm and blizzard conditions on October 5 and 6, 2013.
The economic impact suffered by Nebraska livestock producers in the affected area is significant. In addition, this region of Nebraska has endured drought and near drought conditions in recent years, with the 2012 drought causing substantial economic loss for the livestock industry. LIP support would provide some modest assistance to Nebraska producers struggling through these difficult economic times for their industry.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for any assistance you may be able to provide in securing relief for 2013 Nebraska livestock losses as part of the Livestock Indemnity Program within the 2013 farm bill conference report.
cc: U.S. Senate and U.S. House Farm Bill Conference Committee
In the letter, Fischer highlighted Nebraska’s significant cattle losses to make the case for a speedy reauthorization of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), which will be included in the final farm bill conference report. LIP provides assistance to producers for livestock deaths resulting from disaster.
Citing the substantial economic impact suffered by livestock producers because of the severe weather combined with drought conditions throughout the region in recent years, she writes, “LIP support would provide some modest assistance to Nebraska producers struggling through these difficult economic times for their industry.”
On October 5 and 6, a snow storm reaching blizzard conditions struck the Nebraska counties of Dawes, Sioux, Box Butte and Sheridan. Nebraska Emergency Management Officials estimate cattle deaths resulting from the storm number 3,000-5,000 within western Nebraska counties.
Full text of the letter is included below:
October 17, 2013
Dear Chairwoman Stabenow, Chairman Lucas, Senator Cochran and Congressman Peterson:
I am writing to make you aware of a significant natural disaster that occurred in western Nebraska in early October 2013, which unfortunately killed thousands of cattle and sheep. As you move forward with the 2013 farm bill conference deliberations, I request that you consider the livestock losses impacting the lives and operations of many Nebraska producers. Specifically, I ask that you ensure that coverage of these livestock losses is included as part of the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) within the farm bill conference report.
On October 5 and 6, 2013, a snow storm reaching blizzard conditions struck the Nebraska counties of Dawes, Sioux, Box Butte and Sheridan. Unfortunately, several key factors combined to dramatically escalate the death of livestock, including the lack of physical cover and protection from winter elements, cold wind and freezing rain which preceded the blizzard conditions, and the inability of the animals to naturally protect themselves from the sudden cold weather due to a lack of winter coat and hide conditioning.
Nebraska Emergency Management Officials estimate cattle deaths numbering 3,000-5,000 within western Nebraska counties. The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality are currently compiling and coordinating the damage assessment reports necessary to support a U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretarial disaster declaration for western Nebraska.
Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman issued an Emergency Declaration for this region on October 7, 2013, stemming from damage incurred during winter storm and blizzard conditions on October 5 and 6, 2013.
The economic impact suffered by Nebraska livestock producers in the affected area is significant. In addition, this region of Nebraska has endured drought and near drought conditions in recent years, with the 2012 drought causing substantial economic loss for the livestock industry. LIP support would provide some modest assistance to Nebraska producers struggling through these difficult economic times for their industry.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and for any assistance you may be able to provide in securing relief for 2013 Nebraska livestock losses as part of the Livestock Indemnity Program within the 2013 farm bill conference report.
cc: U.S. Senate and U.S. House Farm Bill Conference Committee
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