BATON ROUGE, La. (RFD-TV) — Louisiana is getting a clearer picture of the agricultural damage left behind by Tropical Storm Arthur.
State officials estimate the June storm caused $112 billion in agricultural losses alone. Three parishes accounted for 90 percent of the damage, with some areas receiving 29 inches of rain in less than 24 hours.
State surveys show flooding damaged more than 190,000 acres of crops, with soybeans suffering the greatest losses. Sugarcane, rice and corn were also affected.
The storm also damaged hundreds of miles of fencing, along with farm buildings and equipment.
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Producers could see additional disaster assistance considered before year-end, but the final amount and legislative path remain unsettled.
The plants could crowd out vegetation needed for cattle grazing as burned grasslands recover.
Cotton acreage and prices are up this year, although some growers are still struggling to break even.
UNL’s Dr. Brian Vander Ley recommends evaluating cow body condition, closely monitoring calves for respiratory disease, treating health problems early, and maintaining biosecurity when introducing or moving animals.
Excess fall moisture has slowed harvest and contributed to crown rot in Iowa fields.
Drought Shifts Across Regions As Fall Fieldwork Continues
