more... > Disaster Recovery & Assistance > Agriculture > Crops > Shipping Crops Problem For Farmers; High Fuel Prices Also A Blow Obstacles to shipping grain out of the Port of New Orleans because of damages from Hurricane Katrina remain a hindrance for farmers, but encouraging signs emerged Sept. 7. Katrina Hurts Louisiana Milk, Citrus, Cattle, Sugarcane Production; Nursery Industry Suffers Too [Image: Downed sugarcane and power line near Raceland mill] While most eyes are focused on New Orleans, the surrounding countryside has suffered a severe blow from Hurricane Katrina that’s expected to affect several Louisiana agricultural commodities. Will Salt Water Weaken Rice Leaf Miners? Researcher Looking For Answers [Image: Boris Castro examining rice plants] Will the South American rice leaf miner be affected by salt water pushed ashore by Hurricane Rita? LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Boris Castro said it’s possible the rice pest’s population could have been weakened by the high salinity, but there’s no way of knowing yet. Lafourche-Terrebonne Area Citrus Growers Hope To Fill Void Left By Storms With most of the citrus groves in Plaquemines Parish destroyed by last fall’s hurricanes, growers in the Lafourche-Terrebonne area are preparing to fill part of that market niche.  more articles... Experts Tell Consultants Some Salty Soils Improve, Others Get Worse South Louisiana rice fields contaminated with salt from Hurricane Rita’s storm surge have shown some improvements, although not as much as expected, and salinity levels actually have increased in some sugarcane fields. Sugarcane Harvest Better Than Expected [Image: Sugarcane Harvest] Hurricanes Rita and Katrina were not good for the already struggling Louisiana sugarcane industry, but the storms did not do as much damage as growers first anticipated. (TV News 12/12/05. Runtime: 1 minute 25 seconds) Researchers Measure Effects Of Salt Water On Rice LSU AgCenter researchers are studying the effects of salt water in rice after many fields were flooded during Hurricane Rita. The study started with extensive soil sampling of affected areas. LSU AgCenter agronomist Dr. Gary Breitenbeck explains. (Radio News 12/12/05) Rice Growers Face Problems Following Storms The salt water that washed over coastal areas in Southwestern Louisiana during Hurricane Rita could greatly affect next year’s rice crop. LSU AgCenter agronomist Dr. Gary Breitenbeck says the high salinity levels in rice fields could lead to decreased yields. (Radio News 12/12/05) Salt Water Problematic For Sugarcane, Forage Crops Salt water flowed into sugarcane fields during Hurricane Rita, but the layout of a sugarcane field can be beneficial in ridding the field of salt. LSU AgCenter agronomist Dr. Gary Breitenbeck explains. (Radio News 12/12/05) LSU AgCenter Experts Continuing Studies Of Saltwater Contamination In Southwest Louisiana [Image: Watering test plants at Rice Research Station] LSU AgCenter scientists hope they will soon be able to make recommendations for farmers whose fields were hit with saltwater contamination from Hurricane Rita’s storm surge. Citrus Leaf Miner Management [Image: Damage caused by the citrus leafminer] Citrus trees that survived hurricane damage may have lost significant amounts of foliage. These trees could experience a strong flush as they start their own healing process. This is very important because new foliage will provide nutrients needed for winter survival and faster tree recovery. Producers must implement practices to protect from additional leaf loss which can be caused by the citrus leafminer. Disaster Recovery: Estimates of Economic Impact From Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to Louisiana Agriculture The dollar amounts, which are estimates of reduced revenue and increased costs, are broken down by storm and commodity. Total estimated costs are also provided. Katrina Losses Exceed $600 Million [Image: Timber Damage] Forestry experts and leaders in the industry say preliminary estimates of the economic devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina exceed $600 million in timber damage and reduced prices for damaged trees. Available Recovery Assistance to Farmers and Ranchers Louisiana’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries have been and continue to be severely affected by Hurricane Katrina. Several USDA programs can help agricultural farmers and ranchers begin their recovery from hurricanes. More...