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Florida agriculture suffered greater than $190 million in losses from Hurricane Milton, making it the most costly for farmers and ranchers of three cyclones that pummeled the state in 2024, in response to College of Florida researchers.
When all the info is in, the college’s Institute of Meals and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) estimates the losses from Milton might attain over $642 million. That compares with farm-related damages of $170 million from Hurricane Debby in August and as much as $162 million attributable to Hurricane Helene in September.
Milton got here ashore Oct. 9 close to Siesta Key on the Gulf coast as a Class 3 storm, sweeping throughout the central a part of the state with hurricane-force winds placing 14 counties. The storm impacted greater than 5.7 million acres (2.3 million hectares) of agricultural land, a lot of it used for cattle and different livestock grazing.
Complete manufacturing worth on that land yearly is pegged at about $8.6 billion, in response to the report.
“Milton resulted in greater agricultural losses than Hurricane Helene, not solely as a result of it prompted extra intense climate circumstances general, but additionally as a result of areas producing high-value commodities skilled higher-intensity climate circumstances,” mentioned Xiaohui Qiao, an IFAS analysis assistant professor.
Helene, which got here ashore Sept. 27 alongside the Large Bend area of Florida, impacted about 6 million acres (2.4 million hectares) of agricultural lands, the report mentioned.
The Milton report is damaged down into high and low estimates of loss. For instance, researchers say losses to vegetable crops vary between $52.5 million and $233 million. Greenhouse and nursery prices are estimated at between $66.9 million and $177 million.
The dominant livestock operations within the area had estimated losses of between $29.4 million and $86.5 million, the researchers mentioned. That features sickened and useless animals but additionally things like broken fencing and buildings and lack of feed.
There additionally have been delays in planting crops essential to Florida’s winter rising season.
“Some growers have delayed winter crop planting attributable to Helene and Milton, disrupting the manufacturing schedule and probably affecting the worth of future harvests,” the report says.
The loss estimates are primarily based on a survey of agriculture producers across the state. A closing report on Milton’s affect is anticipated within the first quarter of 2025 and can embody further survey outcomes.
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The Impartial
#Florida #agriculture #hit #190M #losses #Hurricane #Milton
Curt Anderson , 2024-12-20 18:02:00
