Arkansas Farmers Face Staggering Losses

Even before the deluge that hit southern states this past weekend, farmers in Arkansas were in trouble. Floodwaters from rain that pummeled Kansas and Missouri in late April flowed downstream in May to wreak havoc in the state.

Nearly 978,000 acres have been lost or damaged by floodwaters, costing the agriculture industry an estimated $175 million, according to the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The estimate is based on only row crop losses—both the value of the cropland damaged and the effects of reduced processing. Costs could rise to $210 million.

Rice was the hardest hit crop with about 181,500 acres lost. Soybeans were next at nearly 122,000 acres. Corn was pegged at 40,150 acres, cotton at 13,000 acres, wheat at 4,250 acres, and sorghum at 1,000 acres. In total, the university system estimates nearly 362,000 acres lost from the flood and another 616,000 damaged.

This flood is the third to hit the state since 2011. The university system estimated the 2011 damage to Arkansas ag at $335 million. The state’s rice crop also took the biggest hit that year.

Eric Wailes, distinguished professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness for the university system, said planting began earlier this year than in 2011, which means greater investment this year.

Source: Delta Farm Press