Amarillo Gazette

WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and Senator Ted Cruz (TX) introduced the Livestock Indemnity Program Enhancement Act to help Texas livestock producers recover from the devastating wildfires that occurred in the Texas Panhandle earlier this year. The bill aims to provide additional support to ranchers who suffered losses, particularly addressing the issue of unborn livestock losses, as highlighted by Jackson and Cruz.

Jackson emphasized the importance of assisting producers in their recovery, stating, “While the Livestock Indemnity Program will assist affected livestock producers with cattle losses due to the wildfires, their recovery has been set back several years due to the limitations on the program’s ability to compensate for unborn livestock losses from the loss of pregnant livestock." He added, "By creating a payment rate for unborn livestock losses, we can better assist our producers, helping them recover quicker and mitigating the long-term effects of these wildfires."

In agreement, Cruz highlighted the significant impact of the wildfires on Texas ranchers, stating, "After wildfires engulfed the Panhandle earlier this year, at least 7,000 cattle perished, many of them bred cattle or cattle that had recently calved." He further expressed his pride in introducing legislation to strengthen the Livestock Indemnity Program, which will establish an additional payment rate for eligible producers who lost unborn livestock.

The proposed legislation has garnered support from various agricultural organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raiser’s Association. These groups recognize the importance of providing assistance to ranchers facing challenges following the wildfires.

In response to the introduction of the Livestock Indemnity Program Enhancement Act, Russell Boening, President of Texas Farm Bureau, emphasized the need for flexibility and assistance for farmers and ranchers in their recovery efforts. He expressed gratitude towards Jackson and Cruz for their proactive approach in addressing the needs of cattlemen and women affected by the wildfires.

Additionally, Allison Rivera, Director of Government Affairs at NCBA, highlighted the significance of the proposed legislation in compensating producers for unborn calves lost during the wildfires. She commended the efforts of Jackson and Cruz in supporting the cattle industry and providing relief to affected producers.

Carl Ray Polk, Jr., TSCRA President, acknowledged the limitations of the current Livestock Indemnity Program in compensating ranchers for the loss of their calf crop. He thanked Congressman Jackson and Senator Cruz for their initiative in addressing this gap through the proposed legislation, which aims to better reflect the true losses faced by ranchers and expedite their recovery process.

The Livestock Indemnity Program Enhancement Act represents a collaborative effort to support Texas cattle ranchers in overcoming the challenges posed by the wildfires, ensuring the resilience and sustainability of the state's agriculture industry.