Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
This program has four benefit years: Year 1 - July 22, 1999 through September 30, 2000; Year 2 - August 1, 2000 through July 31, 2001; Year 3 - August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2002; Year 4 - August 1, 2002 through July 31, 2003. Each benefit year has various types of payments and eligibility requirements. Funds not used during one year are carried into the following years.
Formula and Matching Requirements
For Year 1 Producers will receive up to $100 for each ram that is purchased for breeding purposes, at least 90 days old at the time of purchase, and will be maintained for at least 90 days. The maximum ram payment allowed per sheep and lamb operation for rams is $2,500. Producers will receive $.50 for each sheep enrolled in an authorized sheep improvement program; however, the maximum sheep improvement payment is $500. The facility improvement option will provide producers with a payment of 20 percent of the total cost of the facility improvement, not to exceed $2,500 per sheep and lamb operation. Improvements that must be made during Year 1 must be used in the sheep and lamb operation for at least the next 3 consecutive years and producers must submit cost documentation of the improvements made. The maximum combined total payments to a sheep and lamb operation are $5,500. For Year 2 and Year 3 Payment rates for feeder and slaughter lambs include $3 per head for feeder lambs, $5 per head for slaughter lambs, and $8 total per head for slaughter lambs marketed during June 1 through July 31. For Year 4 Payment rates are $3 per head for feeder lambs, $5 per head for slaughtered lambs, $8 total per head for slaughtered lambs marketed during June 1 through July 31, $18 per head for each ewe lamb purchased or retained for breeding purposes during the period of August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2003. There are no maximum payments or herd limits, but feeder lamb producers whose gross income for calendar year 2001 or 2002 exceed $2.5 million are ineligible for payments. In order to receive the $8 per carcass incentive payment, slaughter lambs must be marketed between June 1 and July 31 of each program year.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.