Release No. 0200.00
                                                               
                                   

GLICKMAN DETAILS PLANS FOR  $30 MILLION TO HELP SHEEP AND LAMB
FARMERS
                                 
     WASHINGTON, June 19, 2000  As part of the Clinton Administration's
three-year, $100 million assistance plan to help U.S. sheep and lamb farmers,
Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman announced today that sheep and lamb
producers will receive a total of $30 million in direct cash payments to help
improve their production efficiency and the marketability of lamb meat. 
Signup for the program starts today.

     "Poor market conditions and record low prices have caused major losses
for America's sheep and lamb producers during the last several years," said
Glickman.  "This step is designed to bring immediate financial assistance to
those who need it most."

     During the first year of the program   July 22, 1999 to Sept. 30, 2000  
payments may be made for rams, sheep improvement, and facility improvement. 
The maximum combined payment per farm is $5,500, according to the interim
final rule for the program that will be published in the Federal Register on
June 21, 2000.  Sheep and lamb farmers whose gross income for 1999 was greater
than $2.5 million are not eligible for payments.

     For years two and three, farmers are eligible for payments of $3 for
each feeder lamb, $5 for each slaughter lamb, and $8 for each slaughter lambs
marketed during the June 1-July 31 period.  There will be no maximum payments
or herd limits during years two and three of the program.  However, feeder
lamb producers whose gross income for 2000 or 2001 exceeds $2.5 million are
not eligible for payments. 

     A 30 day comment period will follow publication of the draft program
regulations.  A final rule will be published later this year.  Additional
information can be found on the website at: www.fsa.usda.gov/dafp/psd.

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