USDA assistance deadline extended

Staff report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency extended the enrollment deadline for the 2012 and 2013 emergency assistance for livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish to Aug. 15, according to a USDA press release.

The new deadline gives livestock, honeybee and farm-raised fish producers who experienced losses because of disease, adverse weather, wildfires or colony collapse disorder between Oct. 1, 2011 and Sept. 30, 2013, an additional two weeks to enroll in the program, the press release said.

Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA service center or visit FSA’s website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov for additional information regarding the ELAP program.