Beginning Monday, September 14, Central Texas farmers and ranchers can visit their local Farm Service Agency to sign up for payments through the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, a disaster aid provision contained in the Farm Bill, which I voted to pass in Congress last year. Texas farmers and ranchers have finally seen a few drops of rain. Now, they'll finally see a few drops of federal aid. These dollars have not arrived soon enough, but I am pleased that our local producers will get the drought relief they desperately need and deserve.
For ranchers who have opted into the Non-insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) for their pasture or grazing land, payments will begin to be made immediately, and will be made for both 2008 and 2009 losses. For 2008, the maximum payment is $53.70 per adult beef cow. For 2009, the maximum payment is $72.07 per adult beef cow. The Livestock Forage Disaster Program provides much more than the previous Livestock Compensation Program that assisted those affected by drought in 2005-07. While a rancher with 75 head of cattle was eligible for less than $800 under the old program, the same rancher can qualify for more than $4,000 for 2008 losses through the new program, and an estimated $5,400 for 2009 losses.

Contact your local farm service agency for more information:

Travis:
FSA SERVICE CENTER OFFICE TRAVIS COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY
1106 CLAYTON LN STE 210E
AUSTIN, TX 78723-1080
(512) 454-2571 ext 2

Hays/Caldwell:
FSA SERVICE CENTER OFFICE CALDWELL-HAYS-COMAL COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY
1403-A Blackjack
LOCKHART, TX 78644-3778
(512) 398-4176 ext 2

Bastrop:
FSA SERVICE CENTER OFFICE BASTROP COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY
503 OLD AUSTIN HWY
BASTROP, TX 78602
(512) 321-2286 ext 2

Fayette:
FSA SERVICE CENTER OFFICE FAYETTE COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY
255 SVOBODA LANE RM 130
LA GRANGE, TX 78945
(979) 968-5894 ext 2

Colorado:
FSA SERVICE CENTER OFFICE COLORADO COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY
2209 WALNUT ST.
COLUMBUS, TX 78934-5008
(979) 732-8306 ext 2

Lavaca:
FSA SERVICE CENTER OFFICE LAVACA COUNTY FARM SERVICE AGENCY
300 S LA GRANGE ST.
HALLETTSVILLE, TX 77964-2975
(361) 798-3277 ext 2