Ag damage estimates from Hurricane Milton

The University of Florida estimates the number could be as high as $643 million

Officials in Florida have an idea of how much damage Hurricane Milton caused to the state’s ag sector.

A preliminary report from the University of Florida estimates the Category 3 storm in October caused anywhere between $190 and $643 million.

These impacts include up to $233 million in damage to the vegetables, melons, and potatoes; up to $177 million in the greenhouse and nursery sectors, and nearly $87 million in damages to animals and related products.

Row crops experienced anywhere from $3 million to $33 million in damages.

“Vegetables, melons and potatoes were largely impacted by heavy winds and flooding. Growers reported substantial impacts of flooding to potatoes and beans, and of wind to crops including peppers, tomatoes, cabbage and cauliflower,” the report says. “Production losses for greenhouses and nurseries resulted from structural damage and loss of electricity.”

Losses in the animal sectors can be attributed to animal deaths, damaged fencing, and feed issues, the report adds.

Milton affected more than 5.7 million acres of agricultural land.

Of that, more than 68 percent of the acres were for grazing.

Hurricane Helene caused between $40 and $162 million in ag damages in Florida.

Milton’s impact proved more severe for different reasons.

“Milton resulted in higher agricultural losses than Hurricane Helene, not only because it caused more intense weather conditions overall, but also because areas producing high-value commodities experienced higher-intensity weather conditions,” Xiaohui Qiao, Economic Impact Analysis Program research assistant professor, said in a statement.