Livestock producers hit by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Isaac, are being urged by the USDA to keep thorough records of their livestock and feed losses, including additional expenses like feed purchases because of lost supplies:

“There are extraordinary circumstances caused by a variety of disasters from fires in the west, floods in Florida, Hurricane Isaac in the Gulf region, storms in the Mid-Atlantic and drought and heat affecting the heartland,” [USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia] said. “Each of these events is causing economic consequences for ranchers and producers including cattle, sheep and dairy operations, bee keepers and farm-raised fish, and poultry producers.”

The agency is also urging producers to document their losses through photos and videos, keep track of birth recordings or purchase receipts, and record the costs of transporting and feeding livestock under disaster conditions.

The USDA also points out that the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011, including SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP).