-
Image
Stock photo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Beef producers who have lost cattle to Theileria orientalis may qualify for financial assistance through USDA’s Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), says Craig Payne, University of Missouri Extension director of veterinary medicine.
The program provides payments to livestock owners when deaths exceed normal mortality due to certain weather events, predator attacks or eligible diseases. Because Theileria orientalis is a vector-borne disease without an effective vaccine or control practice, USDA lists it as an eligible cause of loss under LIP.
“If Theileria orientalis caused losses that exceed your herd’s normal mortality, LIP may help you recover a portion of your financial losses,” says Payne.
To apply, contact your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The deadline to apply for losses incurred during 2025 is March 1, 2026.
You will be asked to provide records that verify the loss. Useful documentation includes veterinary or necropsy reports confirming Theileria orientalis, herd inventory records showing the number and class of cattle before and after the outbreak, and mortality records that show when and how many animals were lost. You will also need proof of ownership, such as calving, purchase or production records. FSA may ask for additional evidence such as photographs, sale or disposal receipts, or a veterinarian’s statement linking the deaths to Theileria.
Payments are made only for the number of livestock deaths that exceed the applicable type of livestock’s normal mortality. The amount is based on 75% of the average USDA-determined fair market value for each class of livestock. For 2025, the payment rate is $1,810.09 per adult beef cow, $2,353.12 per adult bull and $1,133.82 for non-adult cattle weighing 400-799 pounds.