Louisiana farmers suffered an estimated $112 million loss as a result of Tropical Storm Arthur last month. Avoyelles, St. Landry and Rapides Parishes accounted for 90% of total losses. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Avoyelles received 29 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.
“An initial survey indicated that 190,719 acres of crops were impacted by flooding and excessive moisture,” Strain noted.
Several crops, including soybean, rice, grain sorghum and corn, saw yield losses of over 50%. Strain says crop-specific losses were estimated at about $88 million.
“Soybean losses: $33 million. Sugar cane: $23.1 million. Rice: $15.8 million; and corn: $14.7 million,” Strain said.
An estimated $22 million in infrastructure was also lost in the flooding. Strain says that makes up 90% of all non-crop losses.
“375 pieces of machinery and equipment, 41 grain storage facilities, 95 farm buildings and up to 154 miles of fencing,” Strain stated.
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