North Dakota ranchers who experienced grazing losses in 2008 as a result of extreme weather conditions have until Dec. 10 to file their application for payment with their local Farm Service Agency office.

Part of the 2008 Farm Bill, the Livestock Forage Disaster program provides financial assistance to producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought or fire on or after Jan. 1, 2008, but before Oct. 1, 2011.

For 2008, producers in 27 counties are eligible for payments of $36 or $54 per animal for having reached D3 (Extreme Drought) on the United States Drought Monitor System for various lengths of time.

Jim Jost, farm program director, said $6 million has already been issued to eligible producers as of Monday, but projections by the state FSA office have estimated that the program could pay out up to $27 million.

"With the potential payout, we hope all eligible producers will get in on it," he said. "This is the first time for the program, so we are encouraging everyone to come to their local FSA office before (Dec. 10)."

To date, the largest disbursements have gone to McHenry County, which has 77,000 animals, and Mercer County, which has 37,000 animals.

Counties experiencing less than four weeks of D3 conditions Rolette, Towner, Cavalier, Pierce and Sheridan Counties will receive two months of payment while counties like Bottineau, McHenry, McLean, Oliver, Morton, Grant and those west will receive three months of payments.

Ward County is one of those that experienced more than four weeks of D3 drought, enabling area producers to receive the three months of payment of $54 per animal.

"It's picked up in the last few days and we're up to about 115 producers now, but there will be more yet," said Grant Buck, Ward County FSA director. "I expect to have at least 200 by the Dec. 10 deadline."

Buck said similar programs in the early 2000s saw fluctuating application numbers, but with county-wide eligibility, he expects a majority of ranchers will apply for the program.

There is no minimum loss required for payment, but producers need to certify the number of grazing livestock owned at the beginning of the drought period May 15 and need to report all owned and leased grazing land on the application. Qualifying livestock includes beef and dairy cattle, alpacas, buffalo, beefalo, deer, elk, emus, equine, goats, llamas, poultry, reindeer, sheep and swine. To receive payment, applicants must have had a policy of insurance or have Noninsured Assistance Program coverage unless special requirements are met.