U.S. Virgin Islands Livestock Producers Reminded to Report Forage Losses

Contact: Michelle.thurland@usda.gov

Coverage Available for Eligible Grazing Losses Due to Drought

ST CROIX, USVI, August 26, 2020 – U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Michelle Thurland-Martinez reminds livestock producers who suffered grazing losses that occurred throughout 2020 due to drought to report their losses timely and to enroll in the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) by Jan. 30, 2021.

LFP provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who suffered grazing losses for covered livestock due to drought on privately-owned or cash-leased land or fire on federally managed land. Producers in USVI County are eligible to apply for 2020 LFP benefits on improved and native pasture.  Livestock producers are encouraged to contact the St Croix County FSA Office with any questions regarding specific forage crops that are eligible.

"Prolonged drought conditions have created a need for livestock disaster assistance programs in the USVI," said Thurland-Martinez. "I encourage all affected livestock producers to contact the St Croix FSA Office to schedule an appointment to enroll in the program before the Jan. 30 deadline."

Livestock producers must complete the LFP application and required supporting documentation no later than Jan. 30, 2021, for losses that occurred throughout 2020. Producers who already have appointments scheduled require no additional action to meet the deadline.

Eligible livestock includes alpacas, beef cattle, buffalo, beefalo, dairy cattle, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep or swine that have been or would have been grazing the eligible grazing land or pastureland.

Visit www.usda.gov/disaster to learn more about FSA disaster assistance programs or contact the St Croix FSA Office at 340-773-9146.

In a continuing effort to better serve the public, USDA has partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other disaster-focused organizations to develop the central resource for disaster related materials. This knowledgebase is a collection of disaster-related resources that are powered by agents with subject-matter expertise. Visit the USDA Disaster Resource Center website to find additional USDA disaster information and assistance.