Ark. Ag Experts Put Weather Losses at $225 Million

FILE - In this file photo taken Aug. 4, 2009, dying crops and weeds stand in a flooded field near...

FILE - In this file photo taken Aug. 4, 2009, dying crops and weeds stand in a flooded field near England, Ark. The Cooperative Extension Service released figures Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, stating wet weather during the October harvest will cut farm receipts statewide by nearly $225 million.(AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)

(AP)

State agriculture experts say soggy weather that drenched Arkansas during much of the harvest season will cut farm receipts statewide by nearly $225 million.

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service on Friday released figures from the Division of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas. Researchers say some farmers were devastated by the weather, which included upward of 15 inches of rain during October. Much of Arkansas averages only 4 or 5 inches of rain during the month.

Cotton was damaged most severely, costing farmers $115.5 million, according to the researchres. Rice farmers lost about $50 million and soybean farmers lost $49 million.

Emergency declarations have been announced for 60 of Arkansas' 75 counties.

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