Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced in late September that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ preliminary estimates of damage to Florida agriculture from Hurricane Idalia, including more than $447 million in total losses and damages across the state’s diverse agricultural sectors.

“Today, as we release preliminary estimates of agricultural losses and damages from Hurricane Idalia, it’s clear that our state’s farmers, ranchers, and growers – who we rely on daily for our food, fiber and more – have a long road to recovery,” Simpson said.

“The estimated losses of more than $447 million in crops, livestock, and infrastructure emphasize the magnitude of this disaster, but our agricultural community is strong, resilient, and determined. Together, we will work tirelessly with every local, state, federal, and industry partner to ensure we support our agricultural producers to replant, to rebuild, and to recover.”

These preliminary estimates highlight the losses to Florida’s diverse agricultural sectors, accounting for the loss in current year crop production in fruit and tree nuts, vegetables and melons, field and row crops, horticultural crops, animals/animal products, and forestry, as well as the associated losses to direct and related infrastructure. 

Estimated losses and damage include:

• Total crop and infrastructure losses are estimated up to $447.9 million.
• Field Crops: losses are estimated up to $93.6 million in field crop damages.
• Fruits (Non-Citrus) and Tree Nuts: losses are estimated up to $2.6 million in fruit and tree nut damages.
• Greenhouse/Nursery: losses are estimated up to $68.8 million in greenhouse/nursery damages.
• Animals and Animal Products (includes cattle, poultry, aquaculture and dairy): losses are estimated up to $157.6 million in animal and animal product damages, which includes losses to infrastructure and machinery/equipment.
• Vegetables and Melons: losses are estimated up to $60.6 million in vegetable and melon damages.
• Forestry: losses are estimated at $64.7 million in timber damages.

These estimates are based on data obtained from the UF-IFAS Preliminary Assessment of Hurricane Idalia, USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Florida Census of Agriculture, USDA My Market News, Timber Damage Estimates prepared by the Florida Forest Service, and the early communication conducted by FDACS with industry leaders and individual producers.

Source - https://centralfloridaagnews.com