A PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF KATRINA 

AND DROUGHT ON U.S. AGRICULTURE 

USDA/OCE, September 19, 2005 

Note: This paper presents preliminary estimates of the effects of Hurricane Katrina and drought 

in 2005 on U.S. agricultural production. The estimates contained herein are based on early 

damage estimates obtained from a variety of information sources, some of which change daily. 

These estimates are subject to change and should not be interpreted as cost estimates of crop 

loss disaster assistance or livestock disaster assistance as provided in previous legislation. 

Estimates are for current production losses and exclude future production losses that may be 

incurred by perennial crops or livestock and losses to infrastructure and increased marketing 

costs. Some of these losses will also be offset by insurance indemnities.

I. Effects of Hurricane Katrina on U.S. Agriculture 

Path of the Katrina: 

Following Katrina's brief August 25 strike on southern Florida, the hurricane explosively 

strengthened over the Gulf of Mexico and turned toward Louisiana. On the morning of August 

29, Katrina became one of the strongest hurricanes on record to make landfall in the United 

States. Katrina made landfall as a category 4 hurricane around 7:10 a.m. EDT near Buras, LA, 

with maximum sustained winds near 140 mph (map 1). Based on Katrina's minimum barometric 

pressure at landfall, only the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 (Florida Keys) and 1969's Hurricane 

Camille (southern Mississippi) were more intense. 

Katrina's large wind field and tremendous storm surge caused extensive damage along and near 

the central Gulf Coast. One of the Nation's greatest disasters unfolded in Katrina's wake, when 

storm-damaged levees unleashed flood waters on New Orleans, LA, submerging the majority of 

the city. New Orleans had escaped a direct strike from Katrina, although the hurricane's western 

eye wall moved across the city on August 29. Some wind gusts recorded across southeastern 

Louisiana prior to instrumentation failure included 105 mph at the Belle Chasse Naval Air 

Station and 86 mph at New Orleans' Lakefront Airport. After crossing the sparsely populated 

Mississippi Delta, Katrina's eye crossed Lake Borgne and made its final landfall near the 

Louisiana-Mississippi border. 

Southern Mississippi communities and cities just to the east of the landfall—such as Waveland, 

Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula—were shredded by high winds and inundated by a devastating 

storm surge in excess of 20 feet. Along the Gulf Coast, wind gusts were clocked to at least 118 

mph in Pascagoula and 102 mph. on Dauphin Island, AL. Farther inland, Mississippi wind gusts 

to 100 mph or greater were reported at emergency operations centers as far north as Hattiesburg 

and Laurel. Wind gusts topped 50 mph in Birmingham, AL and Memphis, TN. 

 

Katrina's remnants tracked across Mississippi and western Tennessee before turning 

northeastward across the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast. Heavy rain (locally 4 inches or 
2

more) caused minor flash flooding but replenished soil moisture reserves in advance of soft red 

winter wheat planting. 

Some daily-record rainfall totals associated with Katrina's remnants included 4.40 inches (on 

August 29) in Tupelo, MS; 3.08 inches (on August 30) in Louisville, KY; and 3.90 inches (on 

August 31) in Watertown, NY. Storm totals in excess of 4 inches were common as far north as 

Ohio, northern Pennsylvania, New York, and northern New England, with amounts of 10 inches 

or more reported in the central Gulf Coast region. Big Branch, LA, tallied an unofficial total of 

14.82 inches. 

Role of Agriculture in Affected States. Portions of the States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana 

and Mississippi were affected by hurricane force winds (74 mph or greater) from Katrina (see 

attached map of Hurricane’s track). According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, the counties 

in these States that incurred hurricane forces winds account for less than 1 percent of the total 

U.S. inventory of cattle, milk cows and hogs and less than 1 percent of U.S. corn, cotton, rice 

and soybean production (Appendix Table 1). In contrast, about 9 percent of U.S. broiler 

production and 12 percent of U.S. sugarcane production is in counties that incurred hurricane 

force winds. 

Tropical storm winds (39-73 mph) from Katrina affected additional counties in Alabama, 

Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi as well as several counties in Tennessee. The total area of 

these States affected by either hurricane or tropical force winds accounts for less than 1 percent 

of total U.S. hog inventory, 1 percent of milk cows, 3 percent of cattle, and about 1 percent of 

corn and 3 percent of soybean production. However, about 17 percent of broiler, 18 percent of 

upland cotton, 14 percent of rice and 85 percent of U.S. sugarcane production is in counties that 

incurred either hurricane or tropical force winds. 

Primary agricultural effects included timber losses, lodging of sugarcane in Florida and 

southeastern Louisiana, damage to broiler houses and greenhouses and other farm infrastructure 

in the central Gulf Coast States and destruction of port facilities, including stored commodities, 

and navigation aids in the Lower Mississippi River. Summer crops such as soybeans, rice, 

cotton, nursery crops, fruit and vegetables were vulnerable to damage due to gusty winds and 

heavy rain. In addition, the loss of electricity, lack of fuel, and damage to roads and port 

facilities interrupted the movement and processing of poultry, milk and other agricultural 

products. 

Method of Estimating Production Losses. USDA State Emergency Boards have been 

reporting daily to USDA on estimated agricultural damages due to the Hurricane based on onsite observations. Industry associations have also reported on losses. On September 12, USDA 

released the Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE)

reports. These reports provide the first systematic assessment of the effects of Katrina on 

production of major field crops. Crop Production forecasts are based on objective yield surveys 

and area estimates for 2005 field crops in the United States, reflecting crop conditions as of 

September 1. Crop production losses are valued at the higher of the current market price or the 

marketing assistance loan rate for the commodity. Table 1 presents the national crop production 
3

estimates for August 1 and September 1, 2005. Production loss estimates from Hurricane 

Katrina are summarized by State and crop in Appendix Table 2. 

Corn and Soybeans. Hurricane and tropical force winds from Katrina affected an estimated 61 

percent of the corn in Alabama, 15 percent of corn in Florida, 69 percent of corn in Louisiana, 87 

percent of corn in Mississippi and 43 percent of corn in Tennessee (appendix table 1). Across all 

five affected States, hurricane and tropical force winds were recorded on acreage which normally 

produces about 120 million bushels. However, most of this acreage was subjected to tropical 

force winds rather than more much damaging hurricane force winds. In addition, 70 percent of 

the corn in Louisiana and 37 percent of the corn in Mississippi had been harvested before the 

hurricane hit these States, further limiting the loss in corn production. Based on the September 

12 crop production report, Katrina lowered corn production in Alabama and Tennessee by 2.6 

million bushels (table 2). In addition, severe lodging of corn in Louisiana and Mississippi likely 

will result in production losses and higher harvesting costs in those States. The value of corn 

production losses are estimated at about $14 million, which includes an estimated loss of 10 

percent on unharvested corn in Louisiana and Mississippi (table 3). 

Hurricane and tropical force winds affected 60 percent or more of the soybeans in Alabama, 

Louisiana and Mississippi and nearly 40 percent of the soybeans in Tennessee. The acreage 

affected would normally produce about 80 million bushels of soybeans. As with corn, nearly all 

of the affected acreage was subjected to tropical force winds. Also, losses were limited because 

20 percent of the soybeans in Louisiana and 25 percent of the soybeans in Mississippi were 

harvested prior to the arrival of Katrina. The September 12 crop production report lowered 

soybean production in Alabama and Tennessee by Katrina by 1.2 million bushels. The hurricane 

could also increase losses and harvesting costs on unharvested soybeans in Louisiana and 

Mississippi. The value of soybean production losses in all five hurricane affected States are 

estimated at $17 million, which includes an estimated loss of 2.5 percent of unharvested 

soybeans in Louisiana and Mississippi 

Rice and Upland Cotton. About 80 percent of rice in Louisiana and 50 percent of rice 

production in Mississippi were subjected to tropical force winds. Essentially all rice production 

in both States is located outside areas that incurred hurricane force winds. In addition, many 

Louisiana rice producers harvested their crop prior to the arrival of Katrina. Sixty-three percent 

of the rice acreage in Louisiana and 2 percent of Mississippi rice had been harvested before 

Katrina passed through these two States. The September 1 crop production report shows no rice 

production losses in these two States from Katrina. However, severe lodging will increase 

harvest costs and lead to increased harvest losses which are estimated at $21 million. 

One-half to three-fourths of upland cotton production in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and 

Tennessee sustained hurricane or tropical force winds. Again, nearly all of the affected acreage 

was subjected to tropical force winds rather than the much more damaging hurricane force 

winds. The September 1 crop production report reduced Alabama’s cotton production by 20,000 

bales and cotton production in Mississippi by 100,000 bales. These production losses have an 

estimated value of $30 million. In addition, private sources have indicated that the hurricane 

resulted in cotton production losses of $10 million in Louisiana.
4

Sugarcane. Hurricane and tropical storm winds from Katrina hit essentially all of the sugarcane 

growing areas of Florida and Louisiana, with about 30 percent of Louisiana’s crop subjected to 

hurricane force winds. Very little of the Florida crop was subjected to hurricane force winds. 

The September 1 crop production report lowered Louisiana’s sugarcane production by 1.04 

million tons or 9 percent and made no change in Florida’s sugarcane production. The decline in 

Louisiana’s sugarcane crop has an estimated farm value of $30 million and a processed (cane 

sugar) value of $50 million. Harvest costs will also increase. 

Fruits, Vegetables and Nursery Crops. Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and 

Tennessee produce a wide variety of nursery crops. In 2004, sales of fruits, vegetables and 

nursery crops amounted to $4.7 billion in Florida and an additional $1.1 billion in Alabama, 

Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Damage to fruits, vegetables and nursery crops are 

estimated at $25 million in Alabama and $400 million in Florida. In addition, private sources 

have indicated losses of $30 million in Louisiana and $108 million in Mississippi. 

Livestock. In Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi nearly 825,000 head of cattle and calves and 

over 33,000 hogs and pigs were located in counties that sustained hurricane force winds. High 

winds and flooding resulted in losses of building, equipment and some cattle and hogs. Of the 

15,000 beef cattle left in St. Bernard Parish area, 10,000 are presumed dead. These lost animals 

are valued at an estimated at $8 million. 

Katrina disrupted broiler production in the Gulf region, but is expected to have limited shortterm negative impacts on U.S. broiler production. In Alabama, 60 percent of broiler production 

is in counties affected by tropical storm winds. In Mississippi, 95 percent of broiler production 

is in countries that sustained hurricane force winds and the remaining 5 percent is in counties 

that incurred tropical force winds. An estimated 200,000 chickens were lost in Alabama and 

over 6 million birds and 2,400 poultry barns were damaged in Mississippi. The 6.2 million 

broilers lost due to Katrina have an estimated market value of about $15 million. Although 

Hurricane Katrina has temporarily affected broiler exports, firms will shift exports to other ports, 

minimizing disorder. In addition, losses of eggs and poults will reduce future broiler production 

and producers that had their grow-out facilities destroyed will have lost production and incomes 

until they can be rebuilt. 

Dairy. About 60,000 dairy cows were located in counties affected by hurricane force winds and 

40,000 were located in counties subjected to tropical storm winds. In Louisiana and Mississippi, 

over two-thirds of dairy cows were in areas that experienced hurricane-force winds. Many 

producers suffered damage to buildings and equipment and loss of power, leaving them unable to 

milk their cows without generators. In addition, the absence of electricity and impassable roads 

prevented the processing and movement of milk to processing plants. In counties affected by 

hurricane force winds, lost producer sales of milk could amount to about $3 million per week. In 

addition, some dairy cows may have also been lost but no estimates are available. The average 

value of a dairy cow exceeds $1,800. There will also likely be an adverse effect on dairy cow 

productivity, which will reduce future milk production. 
5

Fish and Shellfish. In 2004, cash receipts from the sales of farm-raised fish, shrimp and other 

aquaculture products totaled $467 million in the five States affected Katrina’s hurricane and 

tropical force winds. Katrina likely resulted in losses to producers of fish and shellfish products. 

Private sources estimate losses of $151 million in Louisiana. 

Forestry. Early estimates from the Forest Service indicate potential timber losses from 

Hurricane Katrina amount to 4.2 billion cubic feet of timber, spread over 5 million acres of light 

to heavily damaged forest land in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Nearly 90 percent of all 

forests damaged were within 60 miles of the coast, predominately in Mississippi, with 60 percent 

of the damage occurring to softwoods. Estimated timber losses, initially placed in the billions of 

dollars, will depend on the success of salvage operations. 

Farm Production Costs. Katrina destroyed oil platforms in the Gulf and disrupted oil delivery 

and refining causing the prices of gasoline and other petroleum products to increase sharply. In 

the week immediately following Katrina’s Gulf landfall, the national average price of gasoline 

increased by 18 percent and the price of diesel fuel rose by 12 percent. Despite declining the 

following week, the price of gasoline remained 13 percent higher and the price of diesel fuel 10 

percent above prices prior to Katrina’s Gulf landfall. Higher prices for gasoline and diesel fuel 

increase farm production costs. Before Katrina, farm production expenses for fuels and oils 

were projected to reach $10.2 billion in 2005, up from $8.2 billion in 2004 and $6.8 billion in 

2003. The increase in farm production expenses will depend on the duration of the price 

increases for fuels and oils. For every month that the cost of fuels and oils remain 10 percent 

higher, farmers incur additional expenses of about $85 million. 

Katrina will affect fertilizer availability and costs two ways. First, natural gas is the primary 

input in the production of nitrogen fertilizer, representing 70 to 90 percent of the cost anhydrous 

ammonia nitrogen fertilizer (anhydrous ammonia is the source of nearly all the nitrogen fertilizer 

produced in the world). Average U.S. ammonia production costs doubled from 1999 to 2003, 

the latest year for which data are available. These rising production costs have been reflected in 

the prices paid for fertilizers by farmers. Most recently, the August 2005 USDA fertilizer price 

index rose 0.6 percent from July and 13 percent above August a year ago. Therefore, any longterm increase in natural gas prices due to Katrina will lead to an increase in the cost of 

domestically produced nitrogen fertilizers and an increase in prices paid by farmers for 

fertilizers. 

Second, the U.S. imports a significant share of nitrogen fertilizers. In calendar year 2004, about 

14 percent of nitrogen fertilizer use was met by imports through the port of New Orleans (total 

imports represented about 50 percent of nitrogen fertilizer use). Therefore, long-term disruption 

to the port of New Orleans could have an impact on the availability and price of nitrogen 

fertilizers. One factor mitigating the impact of any disruption on the port of New Orleans on 

fertilizer imports is the timing of Katrina. Based on data from the Department of Commerce, in 

2004, chemical fertilizer imports were at their lowest levels in June and July and peaked from 

October to December. If the port of New Orleans is fully operational latter this year, any 

impacts on the availability and price of fertilizer would be mitigated. 
6

Farm Prices. Katrina damaged and destroyed port facilities, moved navigation aids and sank 

barges disrupting the flow of a wide variety of agricultural products to Gulf ports. Over one-half 

of all grain exports move out of Gulf Coast ports. Ports in the Gulf Coast region affected include 

New Orleans, LA; Gulfport, MS; Biloxi, MS; Pascagoula, MS; Bayou LaBatre, AL; Mobile, AL; 

Pensacola, FL; and Destin/Panama City, FL. The disruption in the flow of grain to Gulf ports, 

higher energy prices, large carryover stocks of corn reducing storage capacity for this year’s corn 

harvest, and the early commencement of this year’s corn harvest has led to lower prices for corn 

and other farm commodities. The effects on farm income will depend on the length of time that 

port facilities remain less than fully operational and the ability to divert agricultural commodities 

to alternative port facilities or to alternative uses. Corn prices are currently below the loan rate 

in nearly all counties. As a result, lower corn prices do not necessarily translate into lower farm 

income, since lower corn prices lead to an equivalent increase in marketing loan deficiency 

payments. However, for soybeans, prices are presently above the loan rate and lower prices 

would lead to a decline in farm income. 

Crop Insurance. Depending on the severity of the loss and the level of crop insurance 

coverage, producers incurring crop losses due to damaging winds and excessive rains from 

Katrina may be partially reimbursed through Federal crop insurance indemnity payments. In 

Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, more than two-thirds of planted acreage of cotton, corn, 

soybeans, rice and sugarcane are covered by Federal crop insurance (table 4). With the 

exception of sugarcane in Louisiana and corn in Mississippi more than one-half of all insured 

acres are covered by buy-up policies that reimburse producers for crop losses that exceed 35 

percent or less in some instances. 

II. Other Natural Disasters in 2005 Affecting U.S. Agriculture 

Drought in the Eastern Corn Belt and Excess Moisture in the Northern Plains.

Many parts of the nation experienced adverse weather during 2005 beyond the Hurricane 

affected areas. Such disturbances are typical for U.S. agriculture. The long-term drought 

continued in many western states, particularly affecting reservoir and other hydrological 

conditions. Agricultural losses appear most notable in the drought that emerged in the eastern 

Corn Belt this summer. In addition, excess moisture in the Northern Plains caused additional 

agricultural losses. 

Drought in the Corn Belt. Drought developed in key areas of the Corn Belt during the spring 

and persisted during the summer of 2005 (map 2). June-August rainfall totaled less than 50 

percent of normal at several locations, including: 

 

Location Total (Inches) Normal (Inches) Percent of Normal

 De Queen, Arkansas 3.74 11.04 34 

 Moline, Illinois 4.70 13.07 36 
7

 Burlington, Iowa 4.94 12.79 39 

 El Dorado, Arkansas 5.24 12.53 42 

 Chicago, Illinois 5.18 11.76 44 

 Lincoln, Illinois 5.84 12.32 47 

 Galesburg, Illinois 6.12 12.62 48 

Corn and soybeans were among the most drought-affected crops. Illinois corn was rated 53 

percent poor-to-very poor on September 11. Missouri’s corn acreage was rated 43 percent poorto-very poor. On the same date, Missouri soybeans were rated 35 percent poor-to-very poor, 

while Illinois and Arkansas soybeans were rated 30 and 29 percent poor-to-very poor, 

respectively. Beneficial rains in the region provided some relief to drought-stressed soybeans in 

August. 

Excessive Rains in the Northern Plains and the Northwest. After an unfavorably dry winter, 

wet weather developed in the Northwest. Above-normal precipitation persisted through the 

spring, resulting in the second wettest March-May period on record in Idaho and Nevada. The 

wet weather shifted eastward during the summer months, covering much of the northern and 

central Plains and parts of the upper Midwest. North Dakota experienced its third-wettest 

summer during the 111-year period of record. As a result, rare summer flooding occurred on the 

northern Plains. The final spring wheat condition report on August 14 showed 20 percent of 

Minnesota’s crop to be in poor-to-very poor condition. Along the North Dakota-Minnesota 

border, the Red River crested on June 18 in Fargo at 11.19 feet above flood stage and Grand 

Forks, 12.07 feet above flood stage, the second-highest summer level on record in both locations. 

Summer high-water marks along the Red River were established in July 1975, when crests 

climbed 16.26 feet above flood stage in Fargo and 15.08 feet above flood stage in Grand Forks. 

Ironically, Washington suffered from a late-season drying trend, which left the state’s final 

spring wheat condition at 22 percent poor-to-very poor. 

Effects on Principal Corn Belt Crops. A number of crops have been damaged by drought in 

drought affected states. Corn and soybeans are the principal crops in the area, however, other 

crops such as sorghum and forage crops have been lost. As of September 4, 2005, in Illinois 56 

percent of the pasture and range and 20 percent of the sorghum were as rated poor or very poor. 

In Missouri, 59 percent of the pasture and range and 35 percent of the sorghum were as rated 

poor or very poor. The effect of the Corn Belt drought is estimated by comparing actual 

estimated 2005-crop production as of September 1, 2005 as reported in USDA’s Crop 

Production report with normal production. Production effects are presented for soybeans and 

corn, the principal crops, for the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio and 

Wisconsin. Parts of other states are affected as well. Normal production is estimated two ways 

by using a 5-year average of State yields and a trend yield. These measures of normal yield were 

multiplied by estimated harvested area as of September 1 to produce an estimate of normal 

production. Production losses are valued using the forecast season-average price for soybeans 

and the national average loan rate for corn. Because corn prices are below loan rates, the 

forgone income due to lost production for a producer is the market price plus the loan deficiency 

payment rate which is the difference between the local loan rate and the posted county price. 

The national average corn loan rate is used as a proxy for the market price plus the loan 
8

deficiency payment rate. The results are reported in table 5. 

For soybeans, as of September 1 crop conditions, the value of lost production in the 5-state area 

is $266 million when measured from 5-year average yields and $557 million when measured 

from trend yields, with losses concentrated in Illinois and Missouri. For corn, as of September 1 

crop conditions, the value of lost production in the 5-state area is $638 million when measured 

from 5-year average yields and $710 million when measured from trend yields, with losses again 

concentrated in Illinois and Missouri and no losses in Indiana and Ohio. Combined losses are 

$804 million when measured from 5-year average yields and $1.267 billion when measured from 

trend yields. Individual producers in other states likely experienced losses as well. 

Crop Insurance. Producers in the drought-affected Corn Belt States appear to be well covered 

by crop insurance (table 6). The percent of planted acreage of corn and soybeans covered ranges 

from about 60 to 76 percent. About one-quarter or less of policies are at the catastrophic level 

of coverage, the minimum available, except for Arkansas, where the majority of coverage is at 

the catastrophic level. Catastrophic coverage insures a loss in excess of 50 percent of normal 

yield valued at 55 percent of price, or a maximum of 27.5 percent of the market value of normal 

production in the event of a total loss. 
9

Table 1. U.S. Production Forecasts For Selected Crops as of August 1 and September 1, 2005

State/Crop Unit August September Unit change Percent change

Sugarcane 1,000 s. tons 31,104 30,161 - 943 -3.0 

Cane sugar 1,000 s. tons 3,709 3,589 -120 -3.2 

Cotton, upland Mil bales 20.566 21.575 +1 +4.9 

Rice Mil cwt 226.7 228.3 +1.6 +0.7 

Soybeans Mil bushels 2,791 2,856 +65 +2.3 

Corn Mil bushels 10,350 10,639 +289 +2.8 

Peanuts Mil pounds 5,142 5,010 -132 -2.6 

Tobacco Mil pounds 677.1 644.3 -32.8 -4.8 

Sources: Cane sugar: WASDE; other crops: Crop Production. 
10

Table 2. Production Changes For Crops Potentially Affected by Hurricane Katrina: September 1, 2005 Production 

Estimates Compared with August 1, 2005 Production Estimates

State/Crop Unit August September Unit change Percent change

Alabama

 Cotton 1,000 bales 840 820 -20 -2.4 

 Soybeans 1,000 bushels 4,480 4,480 NC NC 

 Corn 1,000 bushels 21,600 21,240 -360 -1.7 

 Peanuts Mil pounds 657.0 624.4 -32.6 -5.0 

Florida

 Cane sugar 1,000 s. tons 1,899 1,899 NC NC 

 Sugarcane 1,000 s. tons 15,540 15,540 NC NC 

 Tobacco Mil pounds 7.000 6.720 -0.280 -4.0 

Louisiana

 Cane sugar 1,000 s. tons 1,376 1,256 -120 -8.7 

 Sugarcane 1,000 s. tons 11,960 10,920 -1,040 -8.7 

 Rice Mil cwt 29.925 30.713 +788 +2.6 

 Soybeans 1,000 bushels 27,520 30,100 +258 +9.4 

 Corn 1,000 bushels 43,750 49,000 +5,250 +12.0 

Mississippi

 Cotton 1,000 bales 2,300 2200 -100 -4.3 

 Rice Mil cwt 16.767 17.095 +0.328 +2.0 

 Soybeans 1,000 bushels 54,950 54,950 NC NC 

 Corn 1,000 bushels 49,275 49,275 NC NC 

Tennessee

 Cotton 1,000 bales 1,110 1,100 NC NC 

 Soybeans 1,000 bushels 48,000 46,800 -1,200 -2.5 

 Corn 1,000 bushels 71,680 69,440 -2,240 -3.1 

 Tobacco Mil pounds 50.918 50,918 NC NC 

Sources: Cane sugar: WASDE; other crops: Crop Production. 
11

Table 3. Estimated Crop, Livestock and Fish Losses Resulting from Hurricane Katrina 

Commodity Production Estimated Value of 2005 Production Loss (Mil. $) 

Corn 14 

Soybeans 17 

Upland Cotton 40 

Rice 21 

Sugarcane 50 

Other Crops 563 

Cattle 8 

Hogs 1/ 

Broilers 15 

Dairy 3 2/ 

Fish and Shellfish 151 

Total Commodity Production 882 

Other 

Higher energy prices $85 per month 3/ 

Infrastructure losses, increased 

 marketing costs; increased 

 basis 

4/ 

1/No estimate of death loss available. 

2/No estimate of death loss available. 

3/ Assumes 10 percent higher fuel and oil cost per month for producers due to Hurricane Katrina. 

3/No estimate currently available. 

Note: Perennial crops and livestock could have reduced production in future years. Crop insurance 

indemnities will offset some losses; indemnity estimates not yet available. 
12

* Estimated harvested area 

Table 4. Crop Insurance Coverage for Key Crops in Major Katrina-affected States

Acres Planted Acres Insured Percent of planted

covered

Percent covered at 

catastrophic level 

Alabama 

Cotton 560,000 533,115 95.2 7.8

Corn 200,000 147,753 73.9 29.0

Soybeans 150,000 109,532 73.0 32.4

Louisiana

Cotton 600,000 563,811 94.0 49.0

Corn 360,000 311,953 86.7 32.6

Soybeans 900,000 769,744 85.5 28.3

Sugarcane 460,000* 313,044 68.1 84.6

Rice 530,000 403,086 76.1 49.3

Mississippi 

Cotton 1,210,000 1,095,536 90.5 53.5

Corn 380,000 283,468 74.6 62.6

Soybeans 1,600,000 1,358,735 84.9 39.4
13

Table 5. Estimated Soybean and Corn Losses in Major Drought-Affected States

Soybean Summary

Arkansas Illinois Indiana Missouri Ohio Wisconsin

2005 yield (bu/ac) as of Sept. 1 34.0 41.0 45.0 33.0 44.0 36.0 

5-year average yield (bu/ac) 33.8 43.9 45.3 36.3 40.1 36.8 

2005 trend yield (bu/ac) 35.6 45.8 46.6 37.1 46.6 40.5

Yield difference from average (bu/ac) 0.2 -2.9 -0.3 -3.3 3.9 -0.8 

Yield difference from trend (bu/ac) -1.6 -4.8 -1.6 -4.1 -2.6 -4.5 

2005 harvested area (1,000 acres) 2,950 9,650 5,470 5,050 4,430 1,570

Production 

 with 2005 yield (1,000 bu) 100,300 395,650 246,150 166,650 194,920 56,520

 with 5-year average yield (1,000 bu) 99,710 423,635 247,791 183,315 177,643 57,776 

 with trend yield (1,000 bu) 105,139 442,292 254,931 187,204 206,461 63,654

 difference from average (1,000 bu) 590 -27,985 -1,641 -16,665 17,277 -1,256

 Difference from trend (1,000 bu) -4,839 -46,642 -8,781 -20,554 -11,541 -7,134

Price (Forecast U.S. average farm price, $/bu) 5.60 5.60 5.60 5.60 5.60 5.60 

Production value difference from average ($1,000) 3,304 -156,716 -9,190 -93,324 96,751 -7,034

Productions value difference from trend ($1,000) -27,099 -261,193 -49,172 -115,105 -64,631 -39,950 

Corn Summary

Arkansas Illinois Indiana Missouri Ohio Wisconsin

2005 yield (bu/ac) 125.0 136.0 149.0 103.0 141.0 136.0 

5-year average yield (bu/ac) 137.8 156.4 147.4 130.2 137.6 131.8 

2005 trend yield (bu/ac) 138.5 158.8 148.4 129.7 140.5 139.5

Yield difference from average (bu/ac) -12.8 -20.4 1.6 -27.2 3.4 4.2

Yield difference from trend (bu/ac) -13.5 -22.8 0.6 -26.7 0.5 -3.5

2005 harvested area (1,000 acres) 230 11950 5650 2950 3220 2800 

Production 

 with 2005 yield (1,000 bu) 28,750 1,625,200 841,850 303,850 454,020 380,800

 with 5-year average yield (1,000 bu) 31,694 1,868,980 832,810 384,090 443,072 369,040

 with trend yield (1,000 bu) 31,855 1,897,660 838,460 382,615 452,410 390,600

 difference from average (1,000 bu) -2,944 -243,780 9,040 -80,240 10,948 11,760

 Difference from trend (1,000 bu) -3,105 -272,460 3,390 -78,765 1,610 -9,800

Price (U.S. average loan rate $/bu.) 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95 1.95

Production value difference from average ($1,000) -5,741 -475,371 17,628 -156,468 21,349 22,932

Production value difference from trend ($1,000) -6,055 -531,297 6,611 -153,592 3,140 -19,110 
Table 6. Crop Insurance Coverage in Drought Affected States

Acres Planted Acres Insured Percent of planted

covered

Percent covered at

catastrophic level

Arkansas 

Corn 240,000 170,648 71.1 55.0 

Soybeans 3,000,000 2,031,881 67.7 52.7 

Illinois

Corn 12,100,000 8,533,725 70.5 9.3 

Soybeans 9,700,000 6,806,554 70.2 9.1 

Missouri

Corn 3,100,000 2,345,812 75.7 22.4 

Soybeans 5,100,000 3,685,371 72.3 25.6 

Ohio

Corn 3,450,000 2,383,695 69.1 4.4 

Soybeans 4,450,000 3,040,371 68.3 4.1 

Wisconsin

Corn 3,700,000 2,190,665 59.2 13.8 

Soybeans 1,600,000 1,107,254 69.2 7.4 

14
Appendix Table 1. Livestock and Crop Production in the Path of Hurricane Katrina 1/ 

Cattle Beef Cows 

Milk 

Cows Hogs Layers Broilers Corn Soybeans C

-------------------------------(head)--------------------------------- -----bushels---- 

Alabama Hurricane Path #1 74,330 17,887 808 2,085 218,208 8,532,854 748,818 342,929 3 % Hurricane Path #1 5.2 2.3 4.3 1.2 2.3 0.8 3.5 7.7  Hurricane Path #2 844,455 321,567 10,339 56,420 4,619,687 635,780,881 12,398,591 2,395,699 59 %Hurricane Path # 2 58.7 42.0 54.6 33.6 47.8 60.5 57.4 53.5  Total Hurricane Path 918,785 339,454 11,147 58,505 4,837,895 644,313,735 13,147,410 2,738,629 63 % Hurricane Path 63.9 44.3 58.9 34.8 50.1 61.3 60.9 61.1 Florida Hurricane Path #1 9,095 2,011 66 164 2,084 390 0 0  % Hurricane Path #1 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0  Hurricane Path #2 179,212 106,597 4,381 4,054 52,777 21,555,145 358,518 59,160 5 %Hurricane Path # 2 10.3 10.9 3.0 12.1 0.5 19.7 14.6 24.4  Total Hurricane Path 188,307 108,608 4,447 4,218 54,861 21,555,535 358,518 59,160 5 % Hurricane Path 10.8 11.1 3.1 12.6 0.5 19.7 14.6 24.4 Louisiana Hurricane Path #1 165,494 56,837 35,119 2,189 6,556 1,766,640 115,782 0  % Hurricane Path #1 19.3 11.9 78.9 12.0 0.3 0.8 0.3 0.0  Hurricane Path #2 299,666 179,282 1,773 7,105 7,115 2,511 29,863,822 22,086.008 64 %Hurricane Path # 2 35.0 37.5 4.0 38.9 0.3 0.0 68.3 80.3  Total Hurricane Path 465,160 236,119 36,892 9,294 13,671 1,769,151 29,979,604 22,086,008 64 % Hurricane Path 54.4 49.4 82.9 50.9 0.7 0.8 68.5 80.3 Mississippi Hurricane Path #1 575,436 252,837 23,854 28,810 3,167,635 716,887,287 5,334,557 1,317,386 4 % Hurricane Path #1 53.6 44.5 67.9 9.5 58.8 95.3 10.8 2.4  Hurricane Path #2 482,452 200,119 8,893 107,045 66,824 30,391,108 37,725,858 34,913,570 1,58 %Hurricane Path # 2 45.0 35.2 25.3 35.4 1.2 4.0 76.6 63.5  Total Hurricane Path 1,057,888 452,956 32,747 135,855 3,234,459 747,278,395 43,080,415 36,230,856 1,63
 % Hurricane Path 98.6 79.7 93.3 45.0 60.0 99.3 87.4 65.9 Tennessee Hurricane Path #1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  % Hurricane Path #1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  Hurricane Path #2 661,826 306,865 16,129 127,639 436,641 2,928,171 30,974,545 18,478,851 76 %Hurricane Path # 2 29.6 28.1 19.2 55.4 37.6 1.6 43.2 38.5  Total Hurricane Path 661,826 306,865 16,129 127,639 436,641 2,928,171 30,974,545 18,478,851 76 % Hurricane Path 29.6 28.1 19.2 55.4 37.6 1.6 43.2 38.5 All-State Total Hurricane Path #1 824,355 329,572 59,847 33,248 3,394,483 727,187,171 6,199,157 1,660,215 8 % U.S. Hurricane Path #1 0.9 1.0 0.7 0.1 1.0 8.6 0.1 0.1  Hurricane Path #2 2,467,611 1,114,430 41,515 302,263 5,183,044 690,657,816 111,321,335 77,933,289 3,64 % U.S. Hurricane Path # 2 2.6 3.3 0.5 0.5 1.5 8.1 1.1 2.8  Total Hurricane Path 3,291,966 1,444,002 101,362 335,511 8,577,527 1,417,844,987 117,520,491 79,593,504 3,72 % U.S. Hurricane Path 3.4 4.3 1.1 0.6 2.6 16.7 1.1 2.9 1/Path #1--Winds greater than 73 mph; Path #2--Winds of 39-73 mph. Production estimates from 2002 Census of Agriculture. 
Appendix Table 2. Summary of Agriculture, Fish and Forest Production Losses From Hurricane Katrina (Preliminary as of September 19, 2005); NA=N

Crop/livestock sector Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi TeCorn 

360,000 bushels valued at $720,000; based on USDA Sept. 1 crop production survey 

NR $3 million; assumes 10 

percent yield loss in harvesting; corn 70% harvested by Aug. 28. USDA crop production survey for Sept. 1 shows higher production than on Aug. 1 

$6 million; assumes 10 percent yield loss in harvesting; corn 37% harvested by Aug. 28. USDA crop production survey for Sept. 1 shows production unchanged from Aug. 1 

2.24 milliovalued at $based on Ucrop produ

Soybeans 

$1 million; assumes 2.5 percent yield loss in harvesting. USDA crop production survey for Sept. 1 shows same production as on Aug. 1 

NR $3 million; assumes 2.5 

percent yield loss in harvesting. USDA crop production survey for Sept. 1 shows higher production than on Aug. 1 

$6 million; assumes 2.5 percent yield loss in harvesting. USDA crop production survey for Sept. 1 shows same production as on Aug. 1 

1.2 million at $7 milliUSDA Sepproduction 

Upland Cotton 

20,000 bales valued at $5 million; based on USDA Sept. 1 crop production survey 

NR $10 million; private 

estimate; USDA crop production survey for Sept. 1 shows more production than on Aug. 1 

100,000 bales valued at  $25 million; based on USDA Sept. 1 crop production survey 

NR. USDproduction Sept. 1 shoproduction 

Rice No rice production No rice production $8 million; assumes 10 

percent yield loss in harvesting. USDA crop production survey for Sept. 1 shows more production than on Aug. 1 

$13 million; assumes 10 percent yield loss in harvesting. USDA crop production survey for Sept. 1 shows more production than on Aug. 1 

No rice pr

Sugarcane 

No sugarcane production NR 1.04 million tons valued at 

$50 million based on Sept. 1, crop production survey. 

No sugarcane production No sugarc

Nursery plants, fruits and vegetables 

$25 million $400 million $30 million; private 

estimate; not estimated by USDA 

$108 million; private estimate; not estimated by USDA 

NR 

Pecans Initial damage; future 

productivity losses expected; not estimated by USDA 

Initial damage; future productivity losses expected; not estimated by USDA 

NR NR NR 

Pasture Possible saltwater damage; 

loss not estimated by USDA 

NR Possible saltwater damage; 

loss not estimated by USDA 

Possible saltwater damage; loss not estimated by USDA 

NR 
App. Table 2, Cont. Crop/livestock sector Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi TeChristmas trees Damages reported but 

unspecified 

NR NR NR NR 

Cattle NR NR 10,000 head lost with 

market value of $8 million. Future productivity losses not estimated by USDA 

NR NR 

Hogs NR NR NR NR NR Poultry 

200,000 bird lost with market value of $0.5 million. Future production losses due to loss of eggs and poults expected—not estimated by USDA 

NR NR 6 million birds lost with 

market value of $14 million Future production losses due to loss of eggs and poults expected—not estimated by USDA 

NR 

Dairy 

NR NR $1.5 million in dumped 

milk. Future cow productivity losses expected and not estimated by USDA 

$1.5 million in dumped milk.  Future cow productivity losses expected and not estimated by USDA 

NR 

Fish, shellfish 

Loss of aeration for catfish; minimal loss reported 

NR Various fish and shellfish 

losses reported. $151 million in total; private estimate; not estimated by USDA 

NR NR 

Honeybees 

Losses to bees and bee infrastructure. Losses not estimated. 

NR NR NR NR 

Timber 325 million cubic feet 

damaged; salvage value not estimated 

NR 882 million cubic feet 

damaged; salvage value not estimated 

3,028 million cubic feet damaged; salvage value not estimated 

NR 

Total, agriculture, fish 

$32 million $400 million $265 million $174 million $12 millio