This is quoted (italics) from Gene McAvoy and his SWFL Pest and Disease Hotline.
The storm ripped through the major vegetable production area of SW Florida wiping out virtually one hundred percent of all vegetables which were planted prior to the hurricane – approximately 4,500 - 5000 acres of tomatoes, peppers, herbs, squash, cucumbers, melons, corn and beans.
In addition, approximately 15,000 acres of land had been prepared for planting and plastic laid. Nearly one hundred percent of the plastic was lost as well.
Crops in Manatee Ruskin area were battered but survived but were damaged and will make a 50% crop at best. Other South Florida production areas typically start planting later and fared better.
Flooding and wet conditions following the storm impeded re-bedding/replanting and recovery efforts and experts predict a 3-5- week delay in crops coming out of SW Florida.
Irma preliminary Florida AG damages total $2.5 billion
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam announced this week that Hurricane Irma caused $2.5 billion in agricultural damage in Florida. The estimated economic damages broken out by agriculture sector according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; preliminary report are as follows:
• Citrus: $760,816,600
• Dairy: $11,811,695
• Beef cattle: $237,476,562
• Fruit & veg. (excludes citrus): $180,193,096
• Aquaculture: $36,850,000
• Sugar: $382,603,397
• Field crops: $62,747,058
• Forestry: $261,280,000
• Greenhouse/Nursery/Floriculture: $624,819,895
• Total Florida agriculture: $2,558,598,303.00
Thank you Gene for all the hard work you do for our 5-county area.
