Ag experts talk about flood crop losses

AFTON – About 80 producers drove through the falling rain Wednesday evening to Afton Village Hall in order to hear what agricultural experts - and each other - had to say about recovering crop land lost in the disastrous floods two weeks ago.

“They are here to ask the questions that are important to them in the presence of numerous experts and their farming neighbors,” said Keith Severson, associate director of Cornell Cooperative Extension. “Farmers think in creative ways and they value the opportunity to be able to learn from each other.”

Chenango County officials estimate that $8 million in crops spread over 132 farms in Chenango County were washed out in the torrential downpour on June 26 and 27. That, coupled with the 50 percent drop in milk prices since 2004, could force some to sell off cattle.

“We have heard of one person who already sold 250 head of cattle. It made good sense for them to cull those animals. It’s not necessarily a bad thing,” said Robert Almeter, director, U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency.

Nancy Richman of Bainbridge said she and her producer husband, Peter, lost 100 acres of corn and hay that they need to feed their 100 dairy cows. After assessing the damage with her crop insurance adjuster, she was surprised to learn that she could not replant corn.

“We lost everything in the flood and we had crop insurance. I thought, like other insurance, it should help pay us to go on with everything, but we’re being told not to replant corn, to switch to sorghum or millet.” Bainbridge, like Afton, was one of the hardest hit areas in Chenango County.

While it could be viable in some situations, the experts advised that replanting corn might not be the best option for area farmers because it is late in the season. Crop yields drop when planting after July 20. In addition, the cost of inputs like seed and fuel may not be offset by the harvest.