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More time needed for full assessment of crop damage in Michigan

At least a week or two is needed for experts to know the full extent of crop losses in Michigan after storms brought excessive rain through major production regions.

Jim Byrum with the Michigan Agri-Business Association says after a 300 mile tour of affected areas, widespread damage was much less severe than anticipated because of field drainage systems and improved management practices.  “It’s very obvious that the areas most impacted, the most severe impacted geographically that we saw tended to be Isabella, Midland, Bay Counties, of course northern Gratiot County was impacted, northern Saginaw County as well.”  That region is home to about two thirds of the state’s dry bean acreage and major corn, soybean, wheat, cucumber and potato production. Michigan State University Extension has released an early assessment of more than $21 million in crop damages possible.

Byrum says infrastructure problems from washouts will impact the movement of ag products and cause other transportation backlogs for the foreseeable future.  “Long-term, the damage to rural infrastructure, roads and bridges, is going to be with us and a continuing problem for agriculture and all rural residents and rural towns across the area.”

Byrum says the full impact of total losses will be known at the end of the year when harvest is in the bin, but for some farmers this could be a devastating event given the current ag economy.

AUDIO: Press call with the Michigan Agri-Business Association