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| Wintry weather damages crops across Midwest |
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| By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent
FRANKFORT, Ky. — What was estimated by many agricultural experts to be a banner year for farm receipts in Kentucky, could turn out to be a disaster due to the recent and prolonged cold spell experienced throughout much of the eastern half of the United States.
A warmer than normal March turned into a freezing April, which has producers worried about crops including winter wheat and produce with temperatures dipping into the 20s for several nights.
University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture specialists estimated that winter wheat yields may be reduced by at least 50 percent. Wheat accounted for $66 million in farm-gate receipts to Kentucky growers in 2005.
On April 9, UK specialists Jim Herbek and Lloyd Murdock visited several wheat fields to determine the level of damage created by the freeze and found little reason to be optimistic.
Herbek said they saw obvious damage to wheat that had reached the jointing stage. The stems were flaccid, soft and water soaked, and the wheat heads also seemed damaged.
Indiana’s fruit producers may be eligible for disaster aid.
“We have heard from Hoosier fruit producers who are concerned that this year’s peach crop may be completely lost, and the apple crop severely reduced due to recent freeze and weather damage,” said Indiana Ag Director Andy Miller. “In addition, the fruit trees in Indiana’s orchards may be at extreme risk. We encourage all of these producers to work immediately with their local Farm Service Agency office on ‘flash’ reports that document these losses.
“These reports will be forwarded to the Indiana FSA office, and if |
| 4/18/2007 |
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