Arkansas Poultry Industry Hit by $200M Winter Storm Loss
A winter storm that struck Arkansas in late January has caused an estimated $200 million in damage to the state’s poultry sector, according to a preliminary report from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. (Read Storm Wrecks Poultry Barns Across Arkansas)
The report, titled “Preliminary Assessment of Statewide Poultry Industry Damage in Arkansas from the January Winter Storm, 2026,” was released on March 3. It was prepared by agricultural economists Frank Seo, James Mitchell and Ryan Loy.
The storm delivered up to 12 inches of snow and as much as 2 inches of sleet in certain parts of the state, causing extensive structural damage to poultry houses and farm infrastructure. Data collected from eight poultry integrators across Arkansas indicated bird mortality losses of roughly $12.08 million. Structural damage was estimated between $172.33 million and $202.06 million.
According to surveys conducted by agents from the Cooperative Extension Service, 241 poultry houses were completely destroyed, while another 91 sustained damage during the storm.
The report also estimated that farmers lost approximately $26.83 million in income because of bird mortality and disrupted production. In addition, a one-year interruption in production could lead to $21.74 million in lost economic output. Of that amount, about $5.83 million represents value added that would normally go to farmers, workers, businesses and government.
Overall, the lost poultry production capacity is projected to reduce economic activity statewide by $48.26 million.
“The biggest statewide hit is lost household income, especially grower pay and related wages, because that is what ripples into local spending,” Seo said.
Losses tied to mortality and reduced production are also expected to cut tax revenues by about $3.83 million across city, county, state and federal governments.
However, rebuilding efforts could generate between $292.92 million and $343.45 million in economic activity.
“Commercial poultry production depends on continuous power and environmental control systems, including heating, ventilation and automated feeding,” Seo said.
“The prolonged cold temperatures, snow and ice loads, and widespread power outages associated with the winter storm demonstrate how quickly infrastructure failures can cascade into production losses, reduced household income, job impacts and broader economic effects across the state economy.”
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