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Story Archives: Farm aid could be delayed until 2009


Farm aid could be delayed until 2009
by Scott Rogers - posted Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 @ 9:10 pmE-mail Story E-mail Story | Print Story Print Story 
U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander says the state's congressional and state legislative delegation will continue efforts to secure federal assistance for local farmers whose crops were destroyed by hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Alexander is optimistic Gov. Bobby Jindal will be able to use some of Louisiana's share of $6.5 billion in flexible Community Development Block Grants to help local farmers. The block grants were extended to the state by the federal government on the heels of this year's hurricanes. The U.S. House of Representatives late last week approved this funding through the passage of the Continuing Resolution Appropriations Package.

Alexander, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, is also exploring other options to assist farmers. One of those options would entail attaching an amendment for agriculture disaster recovery to the next supplemental appropriations bill, which will be debated at the start of a new session of Congress begins in January.

"I understand that our farmers in the 5th congressional district and throughout the state need help now, but, unfortunately, Congress' process for allocating funding does not always operate on the level of urgency we require," said Alexander, R-Quitman. "With that said, I am doing all I can to ensure our farmers receive assistance as soon as possible."

"I am working closely with Sen. (Mary) Landrieu, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, and we are committed to focusing Congress' attention on this crisis and reminding our colleagues of how invaluable Louisiana farmers are to the nation," Alexander explained. "This is one of the most drastic times Louisiana farmers have undergone in recent history. I know the additional questions being raised over the future of our nation's economy raises their concerns.

"All across the state, farmers whose crops were destroyed by the storms are experiencing fear and uncertainty, and I wish to assure them that my colleagues and I in Congress are working together to find solutions to the many struggles they are facing."

Since the hurricanes, Alexander said he and his staff have met with Jindal and state Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain. They also have met with regional USDA Farm Service Agency representatives and groups such as the National Cotton Council of America, the USA Rice Federation, and the American Sugarcane League to discuss the concerns of 5th District farmers.

"My staff and I have had the opportunity to speak regularly with many 5th District farmers and others in the agriculture industry, but I want those whom I have not spoken to directly to know that my congressional colleagues and I understand what they are going through, and we will continue to do all we can to resolve this crisis," Alexander said.

According to the LSU AgCenter, rains from Gustav affected a number of crops in northeastern Louisiana, with some portions of the region getting almost 20 inches of rain.

Dr. Bob Hutchinson, LSU AgCenter's regional director for northeast Louisiana, said it was the worst flooding he has seen in his 29-year career.

Estimates from the LSU AgCenter put the total damage and losses to Louisiana's agriculture, forestry and fisheries at $950 million.

Among the hardest hit in terms of total lost revenue, were soybeans, cotton, aquaculture and fisheries, timber, sugarcane, corn, rice, sweet potatoes and shrimp.

Concerning lost revenue in various segments, soybeans appeared to be the hardest hit, with approximately $153 million in lost revenue on the year.

According to LSU AgCenter economists, other losses include cotton, $137 million; timber, $92 million; sugarcane, $87 million; corn, $66 million; rice, $34 million; sweet potatoes, $34 million; and shrimp, $31 million.
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