Arkansas farmers suffered tens of millions of dollars in losses from the severe winter storm that brought snow, sleet, and sub-freezing temperatures to the state in late January. According to a report from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, the cattle industry bore the brunt of the initial damage, with losses exceeding $24.8 million across the state. The storm struck Arkansas and surrounding states from January 23–27, bringing hazardous conditions that severely impacted agricultural operations.
Cattle and Livestock Impacts
Cattle producers faced a dual crisis of animal mortality and skyrocketing resource costs. Surveys of county Extension agents revealed that calf mortality reached an average of 2.74%, while cow mortality averaged 1.65%. Beyond direct losses, the extreme cold forced farmers to use 2.2 times the normal amount of hay and nearly double the usual grain and protein supplements. This surge in emergency feeding added an estimated $7.52 million in unplanned costs for the state’s cattle industry. The sheep and goat sectors also saw roughly 800 to 900 animal deaths, resulting in losses valued at up to $170,100.
Poultry and Infrastructure Damage
While the cattle industry had the highest documented dollar loss at the time of the survey, the report notes that the poultry industry likely experienced the “greatest losses” overall. These impacts include massive bird losses and widespread damage to poultry houses. A key challenge in quantifying these losses is the high variability in damage, ranging from house age to disruptions in the delivery of feed and propane. Agricultural infrastructure across the state was also hit hard; impacted counties reported an average of six collapsed equipment sheds and two destroyed greenhouse or “high-tunnel” structures per county.
Specialty Crops and Aquaculture
The storm’s reach extended into the state’s specialty crops and fisheries:
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Specialty Crops: Total losses reached approximately $1.17 million across five major crops. Peaches sustained the highest financial hit at $517,800, followed by blackberries and grapes. Strawberries suffered the most significant yield loss at 8%.
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Aquaculture: Combined losses for the aquaculture industry totaled approximately $489,300. This includes a $270,300 impact on catfish production and $219,000 in losses for the baitfish industry.
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Other Sectors: Significant damage was also reported for timber stands, winter wheat, and forages.
