The latest news reports available about Hurricane Sandy’s agricultural aftermath indicate that while harvest might be extended for some crops, limited substantial damage occurred.
For example, some of the corn crop in states such as New York and Pennsylvania might not have been harvested before the storm, FeedStuffs.com reported. That might result in supply tightness. Corn harvest also will continue in states such as Indiana and Michigan. One Maryland farmer heard reports that winds flattened some stalks. Elsewhere, harvesting of carrots, apples and other produce will be pushed back.
Dairies in the northeast experienced downed barns and trees along with power outages, though many cows appeared to be safe. The USDA issued safety guidelines for livestock ahead of the storm.
Drought conditions in some states also eased as a result of the storm, though others didn’t get a boost from the East Coast moisture dump.
The picture beyond agriculture is far more bleak: Planalytics has estimated that Sandy damages are expected to top $20 billion. The storm left millions without power, canceled thousands of flights and prompted nearly a dozen states to declare states of emergency.
