Farm Bureau Finds 2022 Weather Disasters Amounted to $21 Billion in Crop Losses

The 2022 crop year saw many extreme weather events, including hail, drought and derechos.

Farm Bureau estimates, based on USDA analysis, these events add up to 18 weather and climate disasters, each with damages exceeding $1 billion.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported 2022 surpassed 2021 as the third-costliest disaster year event in history, with an estimated $165 billion in total economic losses behind only 2017’s $346 billion and 2005’s $244 billion.

“With over 470 lives lost, these disasters will haunt impacted communities for years to come,” the Farm Bureau report said.

Hardest Hit

The major disasters in 2022 accumulated to $21.4 billion in crop and rangeland losses, with $11 billion covered by preexisting risk management programs.

Of the $21.4 billion, $20.4 billion was lost to drought and wildfire. The remaining $1.08 billion in lost crops was due to hurricanes, hail, flooding and severe weather.

Here’s a breakdown of the 2022 crop losses.

State-by-State

According to Farm Bureau’s findings, Texas suffered the most loss in 2022. The 28^th state took a $6.4 billion hit in 2022. The losses include:

• $2.9 billion in cotton damages
• $1.7 billion in forage and rangeland damages
• $1 billion in wheat damages

Severe weather in April and May caused part of Texas’ depleted number, but drought was ultimately the main driver.

Drought also heavily impacted Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota.

Corn in Kansas took a $1.2 billion hit, while Nebraska suffered $200 million and South Dakota lost $800 million. Soybeans also saw $700 million in losses in Kansas but fared better in Nebraska at $400 million in losses.

Filling the Gaps

To mitigate crop losses, Congress offered various ad hoc disaster assistance programs, such as the Emergency Relief Program (ERP).

ERP has been divided into two phases, with the first phase devoted to producers who had previously enrolled in risk management programs. Phase two opened on Jan. 23 and is available for all other producers.

As of February, $7.4 billion in payments had been dispersed through Phase 1 of ERP.