IMPLEMENTATION OF $50 MILLION PROGRAM TO HELP LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS

                                             Release No.0198.97
                                                               
                                   Jim Petterson (202) 720-4623
                                         jim.petterson@usda.gov
                                     Dann Stuart (202) 690-0474
                                       dstuart@wdc.fsa.usda.gov

GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES IMPLEMENTATION OF $50 MILLION PROGRAM TO HELP LIVESTOCK
PRODUCERS

     LONDON, ENGLAND, June 19, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced implementation details of a new $50 million dollar emergency program
to help livestock producers who suffered losses from recent natural disasters,
especially those in North and South Dakota and Minnesota who lost thousands of
animals to last winter's blizzards.  
     
     The funds were authorized in the disaster relief measure signed by
President Clinton on June 12.  The program will make direct payments to
producers to help cover part of the market value for the animals lost.
     
     "This program underlines the Clinton Administration's commitment to
America's rural communities," said Glickman.  "Over the last year, some areas
have suffered losses far beyond what the people could reasonably expect or
prepare for.  USDA is extending a helping hand in time of need --  an example
of the caring, helping role of government."
     
     The sign-up period for assistance will begin June 30, 1997, and end on
July 25, 1997.  Eligible livestock are beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats,
swine, poultry -- including egg-producing poultry -- equine animals used for
food or the production of food and buffalo and beefalo when maintained on the
same basis as cattle.  Producers must provide documentation to support loss
claims.
     
     "I want to express my appreciation to Congress, and especially to
Senator Daschle, whose leadership made this aid to livestock producers
possible," said Glickman.  "USDA employees are going the extra mile to get
everything in place as expeditiously as possible.  We're all pleased to be
able to offer this extra help to people who really need it."
     
     USDA's Livestock Indemnity Program will reimburse eligible producers for
livestock losses only in areas: (1) where a disaster occurred between October
1, 1996, and June 12, 1997 (inclusive) and (2) for which a Presidential
Declaration or Secretarial Designation was requested as a result of the
disaster by June 12, 1997 and was subsequently approved.
     
     Funds for this program were generated by selling USDA-owned grain in the
disaster reserve established by the Agricultural Act of 1970.
     
     Animal categories and market values for the disaster period, and normal
mortality rates will be used in the calculation of national payment rates.  If
the producer's loss exceeds the normal mortality rate, benefits will be paid
at the national rate established by USDA.  An advance payment equal to 33
percent of the approved amount will be issued upon approval of an application,
normally within as little as two weeks.  The remainder of the payment will be
made after all applications have been made and it has been determined whether
or not a uniform reduction must be applied.

     If total payments for approved applications exceed $50 million, a
uniform reduction will be applied to each producer's payment so the total
outlays will not exceed $50 million.
     
     Further information for interested producers is available at Farm
Service Agency county offices serving the affected areas, beginning June 24,
and on the FSA home page at www.fsa.usda.gov

                               #


  
NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet.
Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov