The heavy winter storm that brought snow, sleet and sub-freezing temperatures to Arkansas and surrounding states resulted in tens of millions of dollars in losses to farmers across the state, according to a new report from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
The Jan. 23-27 storm brought “extreme cold, ice, and snowfall that disrupted livestock operations, crop production, and agricultural infrastructure across the state,” according to the report. As much as 12 inches of snow and 2 inches of sleet fell on much of Arkansas, collapsing structures — especially poultry houses — throughout the region.
In the wake of the storm, Cooperative Extension Agents surveyed their constituents about damage and losses to their operations. The data gleaned from the responses indicate that Arkansas cattle producers suffered $24.8 million in cow and calf mortality alone, based on an average calf mortality rate of 2.74 percent and a cow mortality rate of 1.65 percent. Producers also spent an additional $7.52 million on supplemental hay and feed above what they typically spend in January…