Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain is telling Louisiana farmers affected by recent flooding that they can expect to get disaster aid.
Strain has been meeting with farmers throughout south Louisiana this week, assuring them that state and federal aid is available. Meetings have been held in Indian Bayou, Opelousas, Batchelor and Donaldsonville.
LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says total agricultural losses are estimated at $110 million so far, but adds, “We know that is going to change. That’s really our first stab at it.”
For example the figure does not include figures for livestock deaths. ”We don’t have any numbers on that yet,” he says, adding that it could be another two to three weeks before a final figure is determined, depending on weather.
“We’re probably getting close to the $200 million mark,” Strain says.
The commissioner says 28 to 30 parishes have been affected by flooding. The LSU AgCenter damage estimate should further his case with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to provide disaster funds similar to the allocations after hurricanes Gustav and Ike in 2008.
The current Farm Bill provides no relief for affected crawfish producers, but Strain says he will seek special funding from Washington, D.C., to help cover those losses. “We won’t know until next year what our losses are,” he says.
Strain says it will be important for the Louisiana congressional delegation to make a unified effort to obtain emergency funds. He says Vilsack notified him that $63 million for emergency loans is available for agricultural producers.
Widespread mosquito control is being planned, with the possibility that federal aircraft could be deployed, he adds. Strain says he will also ask federal officials if work visas can be extended for foreign labor.
The LSU AgCenter has the full story, including details on the various aid programs available to affected farmers.
