11/04/09 - Lauderdale County

West Tennessee Crop Losses
By: Nick Austin
naustin@wbbjtv.com
5:23 p.m.
 
In mid-October, soybean farmers near the Mississippi River in Lauderdale County tried to take advantage of some relatively dry weather, hoping to save their crops.  This may have happened, but more heavy rain and flooding late last week brought more headaches for them.  For many, it has been disheartening and financially frustrating.
 
"We've probably lost close to 600 acres, either under water or with water in it and unable to harvest," said concerned Lauderdale county farmer Leslie Crook.  Not only has his wallet been hit hard, but his family's, too.  His mother and aunt own some of his land.
 
However, it is not just farmers that have felt the drowning effects the flooding has had on crops.  People who work with farmers, but not directly on the land, have suffered.  Raymond Hunt, Vice President of Hunt Seed Company in Halls, said that he, like area farmers, knows the negative results of all the high water.
 
"It affects the quality of the seed, and then it affects us running it through our plant.  So, it costs us revenue there because we don't have the product to run through the plant,"  said Hunt.  It is a vicious cycle.  If the farmers do not earn enough money, they cannot spend as much as usual at local outfits such as seed companies, equipment suppliers, and fueling stations.  The entire community experiences the pain.
 
Like in mid-October, though, there will be another chance to recover.  Dry and sunny weather is expected to prevail through this weekend, allowing farmers to pull as many of their soybeans as they can, hopefully preserving their livelihoods.
 
"That'll let me stay ahead of the water and possibly help keep me from losing any more crops," said Crook.  He thinks he can pull about forty percent of his crop by the end of the weekend.  This is a number that hits above his expectations and should at least keep him afloat.


Search WWW Search wbbjtv.com

This site Copyright © 2008, WBBJ-TV/DT, a Bahakel Communications, Ltd. station.  For problems with this site, contact the Webmaster.   Web hosting and connectivity provided by Aeneas Internet & Telephone