Friday afternoon, Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) Executive Director, Taylor R. Sills, issued this statement concerning Hurricane Helene’s impact on the cotton crop in the state:
Courtesy of Georgia Cotton Commission
In the early hours September 27th, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc on south, southeast, east and parts of central Georgia and made an exceptionally damaging impact on farms. Affected producers are reporting yield losses ranging from 35% to a total loss, depending on location in the state. Producers are also reporting significant losses in farm structures, equipment, and infrastructure.
Courtesy of Georgia Cotton Commission
Official reports of losses will be coming in the coming weeks as University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service personnel collect data. It is however, without question that losses will be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Losses will extend well beyond the farm, as cotton gins, other agribusinesses, and rural communities will feel the ripples of Hurricane Helene’s aftermath for years to come. Producers are encouraged to document damage and losses before, during, and after cleanup as well as financial records of cleanup, repair, etc., as assistance and crop insurance may take some time. Industry leadership has been in touch with officials in Washington and Atlanta describing the effects of the storm. We ask that the public continue to keep farmers, farming communities, and the families of those who lost their lives in their thoughts and prayers.
For more information about this and other topics please call the GCC at 478-988-4235 or visit them on the web at www.georgiacottoncommission.org.