RUSSELLVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky’s winter wheat crop took a massive blow thanks to what is being referred to as the “Easter Freeze,” but producers still have options and many are persevering despite record losses.

Chris Milam, Logan County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, said his area is experiencing one of the worst losses in history.

“The freeze was by far the biggest economic disaster in Logan County history,” he said. “We won’t know for sure until we harvest, but it looks like we’ve lost 60-70 percent of the crop. A lot of farmers are cutting it for hay. We grow the largest barley crop in the state, and it’s almost a total loss,” he said.

“The whole thing has been pretty bad, but the farmers are in good spirits. The corn took a big hit, too; but many farmers have replanted. They really have made the best out of a disaster.”

Jeff Campbell, Jr. partners with his father on their 2,300-acre Logan County farm. The 23-year-old Campbell, who graduates from Western Kentucky University this week, already knows the ups and downs of making a living off the land, but this weather disaster was the worst he has seen.

“It’s a sickening feeling to do all the work we have done and then see something like this happen,” he said. “I’ve never experienced anything like this. I’ve talked to older-generation farmers, and they haven’t see anything like this, either. It is just devastating.”

The Campbells’ farm includes barley, wheat, corn, soybeans, cattle and square-baled straw. Their barley crop was almost completely destroyed along with about half of their wheat. Campbell said that they were able to replant their corn crop, but expected to lose about 40 percent of their straw.

“A loss like this doesn’t affect a person unless you have something invested in it. I have gained an appreciation for that over the years,” Campbell said. “As a young farmer, you just have to make the best of it.”

It is perhaps the diversity of the Campbell farm that will make a big difference for their future.

“I’ve heard my Dad say it will take two or three years to see the full effect of this as it trickles down into the market,” said Campbell. “A lot of times we try to specialize in one thing. One advantage we have is that we have diversified.”

Campbell is active in FFA and said the words of the creed really hit home after going through this blow to their business.

“Part of the FFA creed says ‘for I know the joys and discomforts of agricultural life.’ There are joys to farming, and this freeze was a discomfort. I found that phrase to be very appropriate in this case. The weather is unpredictable, and this has made us snap back to reality. We think we’re in control most of the time, but this lets us know we’re not.”

Most of the state’s wheat crop is located in western counties and early estimates show record losses. UK officials said producers could lose as much as $63 million.

Many farmers have resorted to cutting their wheat for livestock feed, but experts from the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture say farmers should take precautions to avoid problems with their livestock.

Farmers should first check the labels on any chemicals they have used to make sure they are labeled for use on wheat for forages. Jim Martin, weeds management specialist with the UK College of Agriculture, said some chemicals commonly used on wheat for grain production are not labeled for use on wheat that is to be harvested for hay.

Chad Lee, assistant Extension professor for grain crops, said UK expects at least 70 percent of Kentucky’s winter wheat crop will not be kept for grain and that the estimate does not include losses on wheat straw contracts.

Lee said, while some farmers will use a portion of their wheat crop as silage to feed to cattle, many are destroying their wheat crops and planting corn or soybeans.

A warmer than normal March coupled with a deep freeze for several days at the beginning of April set the stage for tremendous losses suffered by many fruit and vegetable growers as well as grain producers.

Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher has made a request to USDA Secretary Mike Johanns for federal emergency assistance for those producers affected most by the disaster. Fletcher stated in the request that the devastation was widespread throughout the state from Ashland to the Mississippi River.

The state experienced average temperatures of 25 degrees F. from April 5-10, damaging wheat and fruit crops at a critical point in their development.

Apple, peach and grape growers estimate losses of 90 percent or greater.