Disaster Assistance and Hay.

plowjockey · #1 07/14/12, 10:14 AM

Seeing how my pasture, looks like a parking lot (< 1" rain in last two months), it's not surprising that my county was declared a natural disaster area.

MIL (transplant from MT) said that Western ranchers would get Federal assistance, buying hay, during severe drought.

Since I'm feeding hay, six months early and the mostly non-existent local hay, around here is selling for double, or triple the normal price, there is interest on looking into the program, but not sure how it works.

Anybody ever get funds for feed, from a disaster program?

PaulNKS · #2 07/14/12, 11:49 AM

Yes, a few years back the government gave drought assistance.

Basically, there was a semi-formula that took in how many head of cattle, dairy, beef, calves, etc.

They then based it on the number of head of what type of cattle you had. I can't remember but I think at that time, we had cut our herd way down and got about $800.

If they do it again this year, just keep in mind that it won't be much and it won't go a long way.

You would need to check with your FSA (Farm Service Agency) in your county to see if they are paying it and if you will qualify.

PaulNKS · #3 07/14/12, 11:50 AM

I'll also add that not just anyone was able to get the assistance.

PaulNKS · #4 07/14/12, 11:54 AM

Here's a pdf from the USDA showing counties that qualify for assistance as of July 11, 2012.

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA...ap_1_71112.pdf

By the way, I've not heard yet of any money being available for this year,.... yet. Most everything is for losses prior to September 2011.

Old Vet · #5 07/14/12, 12:37 PM

Contact you Farm Service because they are the ones that you need to go through. IF you don't know them you probity won't qualify for assistant. It is for reel farms not just those that have a couple of cows.

ksfarmer · #6 07/14/12, 12:50 PM

If you have any CRP ground, check on your county FSA. Qualifying areas are opening up to emergency haying and grazing of CRP.

houndlover · #7 07/14/12, 02:00 PM

When my town flooded (twice), a disaster relief office was opened and staffed, and people simply went in and filled out a form saying what they needed. Many of us needed hay, trucks were brought in and set up and everyone was allowed to take what they needed. Call your county extension agent, they'll know.

OkieDavid · #8 07/14/12, 09:27 PM

Keep receipts for all expenditures NOW, the funds (if any) will probably be reimbursable funds where you show what your normal expenses were vs what extra expense you incurred this year. Accurate records are a must.

**clovis** · #9 07/14/12, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulNKS

Here's a pdf from the USDA showing counties that qualify for assistance as of July 11, 2012.

http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA...ap_1_71112.pdf

By the way, I've not heard yet of any money being available for this year,.... yet. Most everything is for losses prior to September 2011.

Paul,

Thank you for giving a link to the map.

I am stunned that my county is not listed as a drought county.

texican · #10 07/14/12, 10:50 PM

They're likely to not help anyone, in the midst of the emergency... only later, they might reimburse you, a few pennies on the dollar.

No one had hay here last year. There was zero hay coming into the area, unless the rancher went and got it or ordered it and paid for hauling. (Lot of those that bought and got it hauled in, got screwed... substandard hay was offloaded, but at that point, you took it knowing you'd get no more for a long time). There is no secret emergency hay storage facility, nor hay wranglers waiting to deliver it to hotspots. Would be sweet, though...

If your area is in drought, start hunting hay elsewhere now, and figure out if you can afford to buy it and haul it. Most ranchers hereabouts (smart ones anyhow) liquidated excess cattle to match their previous years hay still stacked.

The best connected (politically) ranchers here got a hefty chunk of change because of the drought... but it wasn't anywhere near half of what they had to pay out for exorbitant rolls of hay (excess of 100, what the year before was only 20)

rambler · #11 07/15/12, 02:33 AM

I experienced the same program PaulNKS did, seemed the funds came in about a year after the actual dry period, think I got $12 a head or some such, these hay programs don't seem to amount to much.

What Texican said too.

Seems the biggest help is if they open up CPR or other 'off limits' grass areas, as this brings actual cattle feed into the market that wasn't there before so prices and supplies stablize for everyone, even if you don't have CRP land someone in your area does and helps bring hay into the market.

Oh yea, most ag states have an FSA office in every county (they are closing mine next month, a very rural county but oh well) which likely is listed as a USDA office (which technically is a seperate office too), or if you have an ag extension office as most counties used to have (mine is only 1/2 time for several years now, neighboring county cut theirs entirely) any of those 3 offices can help you sort out the available programs. I bet it will be helpful if you are signing up regularly for the Farm Program, or you get locked out of some of these programs.

--->Paul

Micheal · #12 07/15/12, 05:55 AM

Locally, in years past you had to be a "farm" with a farm income of $5-10K, tax returns, etc to even considered for any sort of relief..... Most of the small (part-time) farmers I knew never came close to the income part; therefore left out.... of any program - period!

janetn · #13 07/15/12, 08:21 AM

Plowjockey dont know exactly where in Indiana you are but if your in the northern or mid state it might be worth your while to get something to haul hay in and come up to Michigan - mid to upper portion. We are still able to get good first cutting for $2.50 a bale or less if you pick it up out of the field. Maybe you could pool with a few others and split the costs of gas and getting a rental truck or something.

If this seems like a workable option PM me and I will get you some names of people selling hay and the times and places of the local auctions, where you can get even better prices. I wouldnt count on a program from the government - most times only a few benefit and the hassle isnt worth it

texican · #14 07/16/12, 12:26 AM

It's the shipping that kills you... alfalfa growing regions weren't hurt much last year, and we could actually buy alfalfa with excellent protein, cheaper than local unfertilized weeds (yes, people baled weeds last year... Neighbor baled every weed he had, probably 50 acres total.... and the cows ate every blade of hay they could find in the rolls. Afterwards, there were huge 'tumbleweeds' in his pasture where the weeds were still balled up).