In the News - November 2009
U of Arkansas Division of Ag estimates crop losses at $224.8 million as of November 1
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - A wetter-than-normal growing season has cut into
Arkansas' farm receipts by more than $224.8 million as of November 1, according to a
preliminary report issued by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
The report is a snapshot of current conditions and the dollar amount is
expected to grow as harvest progresses, the division said.
"There are some farmers that are devastated by the events of this growing
season," Eric Wailes, professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness, said
on Friday. "We want to be sure that is recognized and reflected in the estimates
in the report."
The report, created by Wailes, Scott Stiles, instructor of agricultural
economics; Brad Watkins, associate professor of agricultural economics; and
Jeffrey Hignight, a program associate at the Rice Research and Extension Center
in Stuttgart; is based on data from USDA, the National Agricultural Statistical
Service, current marketing prices, quality loss estimates from local elevators,
and yield loss and additional fieldwork from extension specialists from the
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
The report showed cotton, both lint and seed, to be the biggest loser in
terms of dollars, with an estimated reduction in gross receipts of $115.5
million.
Rice was next with a $50.03 million loss, followed by soybeans at $49.29
million. Sorghum lost $5.75 million, followed by corn, with an estimated $4.1
million loss.
An estimate released last week placed the expected end-of-season total
harvest damage at $650 million; the Division of Agriculture's estimate is a
rolling number based on current conditions.
Losses and damage caused by a rainy spring and October's record rainfall have
prompted disaster declarations that include 60 of Arkansas' 75 counties.
"What we are hoping for is to provide the most comprehensive and objective
set of estimates available for members of congress in D.C., as well as state
personnel who will have to respond to farmers' requests for disaster
assistance," Wailes said.
The division is using the resources it has "in terms of people out in the
field, with the expertise in knowing what the extent of the damage is and what
the recovery costs are likely to be, with an understanding of what's happening
on the price and value side, as well as value added," he said. Weather
conditions have also affected hay and horticultural crops and estimates of this
damage will be included in future assessments.
"The report is the first of a series of situation analyses to be issued by
the U of A Division of Agriculture, due to the problems of the 2009 season,"
said Dr. Milo Shult, vice president of the University of Arkansas Division of
Agriculture. "This is an extraordinary season that we believe requires an
extraordinary response."
"In next week's report, we plan to have an assessment of the downstream
effects," Wailes said. The report would include the impact of a reduced crop on
processing, services and transportation.
"We will follow this situation until the end of the harvest season, when
we'll have a comprehensive report," he said.
The report is available at
http://division.uaex.edu/.
The Cooperative Extension Service is a part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
November 6, 2009
By Mary Hightower
U of A Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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