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Oct. 1, 2024 by Krissa Welshans, Livestock Editor, Feedstuffs Hurricane Helene has had a "catastrophic impact" on Georgia's agricultural industry, requiring immediate action, Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) Commissioner Tyler Harper wrote in a Sept. 30 letter to the state's congressional leadership, wherein he asked for support for the state's top industry. Harper said agriculture is the state's #1 industry, contributing over $83 billion to our economy every year. "Hurricane Helene could not have come at a worse time for our farmers and producers, who are already faced with record setting drops in net farm income caused by inflation, high input costs, labor shortages, global competition, and low commodity prices," he wrote. "Right now, the future of hundreds of agricultural operations across Georgia is uncertain, and without immediate assistance, some will not make it to the next growing season. We stand ready to utilize every state resource at our disposal to assist in the recovery effort." During a press conference days earlier, Harper said some of the most significant impacts were reported east of I-75 from Valdosta to Augusta. "We're seeing and hearing about damage to pecan trees, poultry houses, flattened row crops, dairies and poultry houses without power along with food processing facilities without power," Harper said. Meanwhile in North Carolina, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said that although the full extent of damage to crops, nurseries, and infrastructure is unknown, the storm has been "devastating" to the state's agriculture industry. Assessment in Florida is also underway, but much like North Carolina, the extent of loss and damage is unknown. Georgia poultry industry hit hard Numerous reports of flattened or damaged chicken houses have come in from Appling, Atkinson, Bulloch, Coffee, and Jeff Davis counties, with many more reports expected to come in from other counties in Southeast Georgia, according to Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB). Adam and Lori Carter, of Appling County, reported to GFB that two layer hen houses were flattened and a third sustained heavy damage, although no birds were being housed when the storm struck. "We are thankful we didn't have birds when the storm struck. While we do have our chicken houses insured, they were older houses. We've been told we'll receive about $100,000 per house but the cost to build a new chicken house is about $500,000," Lori said. The storm also damaged a stack house where chicken litter is stored for fertilizer, several farm shelters and their home. To read the entire article click here. Tweet |
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