USDA Helping Those Impacted By Disasters

In the wake of Hurricane Michael, there is one tool the USDA is promoting to help connect Ag producers with their needed crop insurance.

"Most of the crops have a fairly high coverage level. Pecans does not have as high a coverage level, some areas, soy beans are not covered as high, maybe 50 to 70% of the crops.”  Said USDA Undersecretary Bill Northey.  “Whereas cotton is generally 90 to 95% of crop is covered. Peanuts, generally, have a very high coverage level as well."

Northey also pointed to the livestock indemnity program.

"Which helps pay for loses, during a storm, for livestock. Again, it's a percentage of the value of those loses; but, it helps soften the blow of those loses."

There are also programs for livestock feed assistance, tree re-planting and conservation activities.  Northey said producers should check out www.farmers.gov which has a disaster management tool.

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