Arkansas farmers prepare for damage to crops from storm

MEMPHIS, Tenn — With harvest in full effect, farmers in Arkansas are preparing for the storm that may damage millions of dollars worth of crops Thursday.

The timing could not have been worse for farmers preparing to plant crops, according to experts. Since Monday, farmers have been working to protect everything they built.

Strong winds from the storm can damage power lines and crops in fields.

University of Arkansas agriculture professor chair, Jarrod Hardke, says rice has the most to lose from this storm.

“Unfortunately, there is not a lot that can be done other than find more people, more trucks, more storage to get again the more harvest capacity to get these off the field,” said Hardke. “Opportunities for yield to be lost, grains could fall to the ground off of the plant and it takes us twice as long to harvest, which means twice the harvest cost.”

According to Hardke, 40% of Arkansas’s rice crop still needs harvesting.

Water and wind can cause mold and other bacteria, which could reduce the quality and quantity. Soybeans, corn, and cotton can also be affected too.

“They are not as able to manage and withstand storm-type events that may occur so that’s where the real danger and risk start,” said Hardke.

He says this could have an impact on everyone.

“Whether we are talking about Arkansas or the Mid-South area, in general, in the industry everyone will be impacted,” said Hardke. “When we have drastic productions, it is a trickle-down effect to all our communities in the entire region.”

He says it affects people in industries and the products we use as consumers every day.

Farmers will know by Friday how much damage was done.

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