S-4252 : Still Just a Bill

S. 4252, the "Livestock Indemnity Program Enhancement Act of 2024" or the "LIP Enhancement Act of 2024," proposes amendments to the Agricultural Act of 2014 (7 U.S.C. 9081(b)) to provide additional financial assistance to livestock producers.

The bill specifically addresses losses of unborn livestock due to adverse weather or other conditions covered under the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP). Key provisions include:

• Additional Payments: Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide additional payments to eligible producers who experience unborn livestock death losses exceeding normal mortality rates, starting January 1, 2024.
• Payment Rate: Sets the additional payment rate to be determined by the Secretary, but it must be less than or equal to 85% of the payment rate for the lowest weight class of the affected livestock.
• Payment Amount Calculation: Prescribes a formula for calculating the payment amount based on the type of livestock and the number of unborn livestock losses.
• Definition of Unborn Livestock Death Losses: Defines "unborn livestock death losses" as the loss of livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, or other livestock as determined by the Secretary) that were gestating on the date of the death of the livestock.

In essence, this bill aims to expand the scope of the LIP to include specific compensation for the loss of unborn livestock, thereby providing further financial support to agricultural producers facing such losses.