A note from the NSDA Director
We have been watching the devastation that is happening around the state related to the blizzard and flooding, and have been trying to monitor the impact on our dairy farmers. We know the stress level has been enormous, and want you to know that you are in our thoughts.
We have remained in contact with the Governor’s office, Department of Agriculture and with Emergency Management.
In communications with the Governor and State Patrol, we were able to get the weight limits lifted for hauling milk to the processor, and the Governor is working with our neighboring states to expedite the situation across state lines. S.D. has been charging $25 per load, but we are trying to get that waived.
They are also working to exempt the “hours in service” for our haulers, knowing they are having to travel extra miles and extra hours to make their pickups and deliveries.
We have also worked with the Director of Ag, as the put together a request to the Fed’s for an expedited application for emergency assistance.
We would like all of our dairy farmers to report to us any issues you have had, or are continuing to have. Livestock losses, milk dumped, facilities damages, etc. This information will help us in communications with all the authorities, who are working day and night to get relief and support for all of agriculture.
Again, please notify Kris Bousquet krisbousquet@NebraskaMilk.org or Rod Johnson rod@nebraskamilk.org with any information you have for us.
Our thoughts are with you, be safe!
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Nebraska State Dairy Association
Rod Johnson/Kris Bousquet
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Disaster Relief Resources Available
There have been several concerns about calf losses due to weather and flooding. There are several programs through the FSA that can assist. With stressful situations like this, check-up on neighbors and friends. Help is available and there is always someone who is willing to listen.
1) Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP): This program financially assists producers when they suffer loss of livestock due to adverse weather. As producers assess their individual situations, whether it be the blizzard in the West or the flooding in the East, here are a couple of key things to keep in mind:
a) If you have suffered a loss of livestock, you need to report those losses to your FSA county office within 30 days of when those losses become apparent. This 30-day notification window is critical. **A phone call to the county office works for this notification.
- Keep in mind, outside of the immediate situations, some producers had some extreme weather in February where folks suffered livestock losses, so depending on when those losses occurred in February, that notification window is closing.
b) Documentation of losses also is critical. FSA will need some sort of supporting evidence of your losses, and this can include things such as: veterinarian certification, other independent third party certification, rendering receipts, dated photos or video. Those things are an important part of the application process.
c) FSA will also need to know the type or weight of the animals lost. Adult animals, so bulls and cows, vs. calves or yearlings, are broken out differently in the LIP program, so that part of the record is important.
2) Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP): This program covers some livestock losses that do not fall under the Livestock Indemnity Program. Specific to the current adverse weather situations in Nebraska, ELAP may be applicable as it can, in certain situations, financially assist with livestock feed losses, such as bales that may have been destroyed in the flood.
**Attached is the most recent Fact Sheet about ELAP.
3) Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): ECP can provide some cost-share assistance to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters. It also can provide cost-share assistance to help restore fences damaged or lost due to natural disaster. There is quite a bit to this program, and it doesn’t trigger automatically. FSA county committees will need to make a request for this program in their local areas. It is critical that producers, if they think they may want to access this cost-share resource, contact their county office about this program before taking any action to repair damages.
**Attached is the most recent Fact Sheet about ECP.
4) HAY NEEDS: Those in need of hay: Please contact Nathan Mueller (nathan.mueller@unl.edu or 402-727-2775) as soon as possible if you are in need of emergency hay supplies due to flooding.
Those willing to donate hay: Please contact Nathan Muelller if you have hays supplies that you are willing to donate. Nathan's contact information is Nathan.Muller@unl.edu or 402-727-2775
For all affected by the weather catastrophe facing Nebraska, please know that our thoughts are with you. We would like to share with you some resources that might help you or someone you know through this difficult time.
5) Nebraska Extension Flood Resources (flood.unl.edu): This web page provides information on assessing crop damage after a flood, well water safety, managing a septic system during a flood, preparing a home that will flood, clean up after a home is flooded and more.
6) Nebraska Counseling, Outreach and Mental Health Therapy (COMHT) Program, 800-464-0258 - Offers no-cost vouchers for confidental mental health services for persons affected by the rural crisis.
7) Nebraska Farm Houtline/Rural Response Hotline, 1-800-464-0258
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NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO ASSIST IN IDENTIFYING LIVESTOCK PRODUCER NEEDS AND RESPONSE
LINCOLN – As the threat to human lives from the last week’s storms that engulfed the state has begun to subside, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) will now be concentrating efforts to assist our ranch families and their livestock.
Producers that have been impacted by the blizzard and flooding and are now in need of hay, feed stuffs, fencing materials, volunteer help, equipment, etc. should call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 1-800-831-0550. Be prepared to share your name, contact information, type and number of livestock, location (including county), what assistance you are seeking and how urgent your need is.
Nebraska has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support for our producers. If you have hay, feed stuffs, fencing materials, equipment, etc. that you are willing to donate, please contact the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 1-800-831-0550. Be prepared to share your name, contact information and what you have that you are willing to donate and the amount, along with your location.
NDA staff will be gathering this information and identifying needs to react accordingly, including the use of the National Guard and other state resources.
A list of disaster relief resources for Nebraska farmers and ranchers is also available online at: https://buff.ly/2FbqDfU. This website includes links to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs including the Livestock Indemnity Program and information from the Nebraska Extension.
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Gov. Ricketts Temporarily Waives Hauling Requirements
Read the executive order here.
LINCOLN – Governor Pete Ricketts has directed the Nebraska State Patrol to temporarily waive certain requirements for trucks traveling in and through Nebraska in support of efforts to the response to severe flooding. This order is in addition to the Governor’s emergency declaration issued on Tuesday.
“In light of the historic flooding and devastation our communities are facing, the state has temporarily waived the length and weight requirements for trucks traveling in and through Nebraska,” said Governor Ricketts. “This will help move materials more efficiently around the state as we work together to respond to the impacts of the flooding and severe weather.”
The directive is effective immediately until April 15, 2019. Nebraska is working with surrounding states to encourage them to temporarily ease their restrictions as well.
The Governor’s Office, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Nebraska Emergency Management Agency are monitoring conditions in Nebraska on a daily basis, and staying in touch with ag leadership to assess emerging needs. State agencies are assisting regions of Nebraska as requests are made by local emergency managers.
Read the executive order by clicking here. The Governor’s emergency declaration can be found by clicking here.
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Emergency Declaration: 15% greater maximum weight allowed for vehicles traveling up to 200 miles
From the Nebraska State Patrol:
Thank you for the opportunity to work together as we address the many concerns presented by the recent storms and the affects being felt by Milk Producers here in Nebraska. In concern with the Governor's Office and the stated Emergency Declaration, we would like to build a framework that will help define our Agency's response to enforcement activities related to a weight easement during this emergency period and share a consistent message between enforcement and producers. It would be my desire to visit with you to discuss what the best plan should look like.
As discussed, we will mirror Nebraska State Statute 60-6,298 (1.c.ii.) as a temporary plan for easement. As agreed, we will allow l5% greater than the maximum weight specified for the vehicle and for a distance of up to two hundred miles basically from harvest (i.e. the farm) to storage or market for the duration of the Emergency Declaration with the understanding that the duration may be extended beyond the duration of the Declaration, as needed, based on a review on March 29,2019, a
totality of circumstances will be reviewed by NSP and members of the Dairy Farm Producers and determine if a longer extension is needed.
As discussed, we have no authority in other states, however our neighboring states have been notified of our request. In a worst case scenario, South Dakota has informed us they will sell them a $25 permit if needed. I have not received word from Iowa at this time.
These times are certainly difficult for many Nebraskans, and I understand that our Dairy Producers are feeling a particular strain. I look forward to continuing our visit at your earliest opportunity. Thank you.
Respectfully,
Lieutenant Dan Doggett
Nebraska State Patrol
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