As we have each and every time disaster hits, we'll do all we can to make sure our farm families recover from this latest round of storms. Farmers are vital to the New York State economy and will be a top priority in our recovery efforts. In most of the affected counties, the apple crop was hit hardest. Early estimates put apple losses at nearly 5 million bushels, or roughly one-fifth of the state's total harvest. With apple prices currently very low, and many growers already recovering from severe weather earlier this year, Monday's storm is a serious blow for many farm families.
Apples are New York's largest cash crop.
The storm hit squarely in one of the largest apple-producing regions of the state. Orchards in Wayne and Niagara Counties are also reporting major apple losses. Other counties suffering agricultural damage include Fulton, Herkimer, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Oneida and Oswego. Damaged crops include apples, peaches, pears, corn, cherries, grapes, cucumbers, squash, and green beans. This storm comes on the heels of what was already a very challenging year for apple growers due to frost, hail damage, floods in some areas, drought in other areas and low prices for juice apples.