Recently, the Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (I-BAND) urged the Farm Service Agency (FSA), State, and National offices to re-evaluate the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payment rate and normal mortality rate for beef cattle that are under 250 lbs. Prior to 2020, there was one weight class for non-adult beef cattle under 400 lbs. that provided a fair indemnity for younger calves lost to a natural disaster. Today, the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) has two weight classes for calves under 400 lbs., the lowest being under 250 lbs.
The April winter storms that rolled through North Dakota one after another left cattlemen and cattlewomen with extreme losses, most occurring in the under 250 lbs. weight class. Each calf they were unable to raise to weaning will reduce their annual income by $1000-$1200. Many ranchers have already paid the expenses to raise those lost calves until weaning. The financial outlook caused by these storms were catastrophic.