I don’t live in that region of the US but I believe it is worse. I can’t keep up with disasters natural or human of late. As far as farmers in the region evidently last year was a bad year too. This is going to be hard for many to come back from easily if ever.

From a consumer/citizen point of view it means fewer family farms and more agribusiness. And fewer food options.

But right now I just feel horrible for the humans and livestock. We had one huge flood in Maine in the 80s - nothing like this (we are too hilly here). I mostly remember the animals that couldn’t escape.

I'm two degrees of separation from someone whose job it is to know these things. Apparently, due to climate change the growing territory has moved. This is very hard on the family farm. As well as the agribusiness in denial. Agree on worse.

Yes, it's as bad as it looks, even worse. Unlike some industries, where you clean the building and fix the machines and get back to manufacturing, or whatever, farming isn't as fast. If you miss planting season you've missed it for a year. If you have to get rid of beef cattle it'll take 2 years before the new cows have calves and they are ready for market. Pigs are faster, it'll take a year or less and chickens are faster, as evidenced by the "chicken breast" thread. In addition, farmers often live on the farm, unlike factories or retail, so they not only lose their livlihood, they lose their homes if they can't make the payments.

We're really actually lucky here, although the Governor has declared a state of emergency in my county which still is in effect. It's early enough in the season, though, that the rivers and lakes will eventually take up the overflow and the farmers won't plant for another 6 to 8 weeks. Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, those "bread basket" states, now they are going to have some real issues.

Not that farmers haven't always had issues, in spite of the outcry over crop insurance and subsidies. Most of the subsidies go to large corporation agribusiness, not to the family farms and crop insurance isn't free and doesn't pay for total loss. So, it's the family farms that are going to be lost. Remember the Farm Aid concerts? Family farmers have had problems for years, with agribusiness doing their best to drive them out of business.

Dad used to tell me that farming was just like playing poker with God.

Annie

I live in TN, which has also declared a State of Emergency due to flooding. Cattle, soybeans, and poultry are our main crop productions. From what I understand, only winter cover crops have received widespread damage, planted to prevent soil erosion. Some livestock loss, but not like other areas, as Annie said. Also as Annie said, it's their homes. No flood insurance here... so many will not be able to rebuild.

It is so tragic - both immediately and locally. For the in the long term and nationwide as well. Once a generation takes a break from farming a body of knowledge is lost and hard to regain.

"Dad used to tell me that farming was just like playing poker with God."

Haven't heard that one in a while.

Our local are roads are ripped up and some infrastructure threatened, road embargoes widespread but nothing like the burst bins and flooded interstates and roads over on the west coast of the state. Heard a farmer lost several hundred head of hogs to the flooding. Hamburg, Ia. was just starting to get back on its feet ...

The amount of damage and loss is staggering. I am so sorry to see the widespread hurt.

Yes, it's as bad as it sounds, if not worse. My heart goes out to them all, but mostly to the ones who lost their livestock.

Madonna