Sugarcane appears to be the hardest hit row crops, as Katrina’s high winds knocked the cane to the ground in Iberville, Assumption, Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes. The storm surge has likely wiped out the state’s citrus crop in Plaquemines Parish, where thousands of head of livestock roam free, belly deep in salt water.
Some really good information here on Katrina's effect on agriculture in Louisiana. Another story of interest is here.
Conditions within the agricultural infrastructure continue to worsen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as Florida Parish dairymen dump thousands of gallons of milk that cannot be processed.
The Dairy Farmers of America processing plant in Franklinton, La., remains down, according to Agi Schafer, vice president of communications for the DFA in Kansas City, Mo. Schafer said there are 312 dairy farmers in the hurricane’s landfall “hot box” impacted by the storm and its ensuing power outages. New Orleans is the primary market for milk produced by dairy farmers in Louisiana’s Florida Parishes.
Just food for thought on the effects of the disaster on agriculture. They are affected just like the big cities.
The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing. Marcus Aurelius
