The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing additional time for livestock and poultry producers to apply for the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program.

Producers who suffered losses during the pandemic due to insufficient access to processing may now apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals through Oct. 12, 2021, rather than the original deadline of Sept. 17, 2021.

PLIP is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

“Livestock and poultry producers were among the hardest hit by the pandemic,” said Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We want to ensure that all eligible producers have the opportunity to apply for this critical assistance. The Oct. 12 deadline also aligns with the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 deadline.”

PLIP provides payments to producers for livestock losses or poultry depopulated from March 1, 2020, through Dec. 26, 2020, due to insufficient processing access as a result of the pandemic. Payments are based on 80% of the fair market value of the animals and for the cost of depopulation and disposal. Eligible livestock and poultry include swine, chickens and turkeys.

Program details

PLIP payments are calculated by multiplying the number of head of eligible livestock or poultry by the payment rate per head, then subtracting the amount of any payments the eligible livestock of poultry owner has received for disposal under the Natural Resources Conservation Service Environmental Quality Incentives Program or a state program. The payments will also be reduced by any Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 1 or 2 payments paid on the same inventory.

Eligible producers can apply for PLIP through Oct. 12 by completing the FSA-620 PLIP application and submitting to any FSA county office. Additional documentation may be required. Visit farmers.gov/plip for more information.

Additional assistance

Other programs within the Pandemic Assistance for Producer initiative with upcoming deadlines include:

• Oct. 12 — Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2, which provides critical support to agricultural producers impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions.

• Oct. 15 — Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers, which provides financial relief for timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that experience losses in 2020 due to COVID-19.

For more information, visit farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance.

To learn more about USDA’s commitment to deliver financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers and businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions, visit farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance.

“USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities,” read a recent release from the department, “building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America.”