Agricultural losses from winter storm exceed $600M
Paul Schattenberg
Texas A&M Extension Service
COLLEGE STATION Winter Storm Uri caused at least $600 million in agricultural losses across Texas, according to preliminary data from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agricultural economists.
“A large number of Texas farmers, ranchers and others involved in commercial agriculture and agricultural production were seriously affected by Winter Storm Uri,” said Jeff Hyde, AgriLife Extension director, Bryan-College Station. “Freezing temperatures and ice killed or harmed many of their crops and livestock as well as causing financial hardships and operational setbacks. And the residual costs from the disaster could plague many producers for years to come.”
Winter Storm Uri, which blasted through the entire state of Texas, caused at least $600 million in agricultural losses, according to preliminary data from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agricultural economists.
“A large number of Texas farmers, ranchers and others involved in commercial agriculture and agricultural production were seriously affected by Winter Storm Uri,” said Jeff Hyde, AgriLife Extension director, Bryan-College Station. “Freezing temperatures and ice killed or harmed many of their crops and livestock as well as causing financial hardships and operational setbacks. And the residual costs from the disaster could plague many producers for years to come.”
AgriLife Extension estimates of some of the state’s biggest agricultural losses by commodity were:
Courtesy of Dale Murden
Dale Murden s citrus orchards in Harlingen were damaged by the freeze. Texas Citrus Mutual s early estimates point to more than $300 million in crop losses.
Texas grocery store shelves have begun filling out again. But for the state’s agriculture industry, recovering from the winter storm will take time, and consumers are likely to feel it in their pockets.
The historic freeze and power outages brought agriculture across the state to a halt. Dairy farmers were forced to dump gallons of unpasteurized milk for days as processing plants were left without power. Packing houses also shut down with machinery cut off from electricity and employees unable to make their shifts, said Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont discusses his plan to distribute COVID-19 vaccines strictly based on age, which means that some grocery workers and medically vulnerable people in the state will be moved farther back in line. Also, crops in Texas were badly damaged by last week s freeze. Texas International Produce Association s president says initial estimates show 80% to 95% of the state s leafy greens are now gone. He joins us. That and more, in hour two of
Here & Now s Feb. 24, 2021, full broadcast. You can find more at hereandnow.org and follow us on Twitter, Instagram or join the conversation on Facebook.
This program aired on February 24, 2021.